when there’s a shift

Shifts come in many forms. When tectonic plates within the earth shift, an earthquake occurs, for instance. When the gears on our car shift, we advance to a smoother running gear appropriate for the speed. A mental shift can occur when we change the way we look at things.

So why this talk about shifts?

At my last piano lesson a shift I was not expecting, nor wanting, came to be. My amazing piano teacher advised me that he unfortunately would have to bring the lessons to a close. You see, this handful of wonderful years he has driven at least an hour-and-a-half to come to this part of the island to provide lessons to adults in my area. Over the years, some have died, some have moved into care homes, a couple have moved away. I had not realized that for months, there have only been two of us he has been driving all this way to give Wednesday lessons. Of the two of us the other lady, I have now learned, is no longer able to keep up with the lessons and had given her notice to Keith.

“It’s almost like you’re not tethered to the earth anymore. You’re just flying, nothing but space around you.” — Riley Hart

It has pained him to have to share the news that it is no longer feasible for him to drive all this way for one student. Though I completely understand, and even feel guilty that there were only two of us for the past several months, I have been devastated. Receiving the news, initially it was as though an earthquake were occurring within me. It was difficult to keep back the tears and my breath was held hostage in my lungs.

“The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher.” — Proverb

He implored me to go out and look for a piano teacher. One who teaches adults, one who understands and accepts my goals (which do not include learning the Royal Conservatory method taught by nearly all piano teachers). He made me promise I would go out and seek a new teacher. He will come once a month in July and August to ease me through the transition.

Although the ground beneath me feels its shifting and it would be so easy to get sucked down into the way it was, I realize I need to take an uncomfortable and risky giant step, and see what happens.

For some, you may wonder why on earth this is so ground shattering for me. As I’ve explained in the past, learning to play piano has been a lifelong dream — my personal bucket list — and I was fortunate the perfect piano teacher came into my life at the best possible time. He’s taken me from not knowing how to read a single musical note to actually playing a variety of beautiful tunes. He’s given me the tools to learn, in a gratifying way, and with so much patience, yet he always has pushed me to grow and realize what I’m capable of doing with those black and white keys. He’s been an important part of my life these past years.

So now, as we all do when an unexpected — and unwanted — shift moves the earth beneath us, I’m reaching and taking the first tentative steps towards whatever comes next. It’s been a few days since the news. The panic has disappeared. I’m now open to what will come and, perhaps, the door that opens next will take me to a level I had not yet entertained. Perhaps the changes shall surprise me in ways I’ve not yet dreamed.

Tell me, has an unexpected shift in your life taken you somewhere surprising, wonderful, or beyond your own dreams?