Practice to become

prac·tice

/ˈpraktəs/

verb definition - The activity of doing something again and again in order to become better at it.

There are days when I teach students more “how to practice” than I teach them about music. The whole theme of practice has been on my mind because I’ve been doing some practicing of my own. As I was going through the motions of reviewing the technique needed, the correct fingerings, and working on the tough spots, I was reminded how much I practiced in my childhood and young adult years. I worked hard to learn the craft of my instruments and strived to be the best. There were some things that naturally came easy, and other aspects I worked hard to master the technique and musicianship.

I find it interesting that “practicing” is really a part of everything we do. We are always practicing how to live our life. We are creating bad or good habits as we do them over and over. We develop our vocational practices by developing skills in our field of study, workmanship or craft. Everything we do either helps us become a better parent, child, teacher, learner, worker...or if takes us down the path of creating poor choices.

The practice of faith also needs this same perseverance and drive. In order to move forward in life one needs to daily trust and strive for goodness through the fruits of love, peace and joy. If we merely look at our own understanding and experience, our life will meander aimlessly and out of focus. But pursuing faith moves us forward with hope and purpose.

You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat?” Well, here’s another one, ”You become what you practice.” Practice isn’t the thing you do to become good. Practice to live an abundant life. Practice to become what you were created to be.