Finding the Right Amount of Tension

At a very young age, I developed chronic ear infections because of perforations in both ear drums. I struggled to hear a range of tones and proper sounds until I finally had an ear drum replacement the age of 28. It certainly is not perfect but it absolutely is better than it was pre-surgery. As a result of the ear infections, I struggled to hear tones and proper sounds, especially when it came to paying attention in school with reading comprehension and music class. Students were encouraged to join the band in sixth grade. Playing a musical instrument was only a dream because I did not have the “musical ear.”

Several years ago, I decided I wanted to pick up an instrument, and after speaking with a client, he suggested his guitar teacher because of his unique teaching style in that he would be able to teach me by feel and less by sound. This was a huge selling point because I know that I am a kinetic learner.

One problem was, I still had to learn how to tune the instrument. With the guidance of my extremely talented and patient teacher, Buddy Jones, I can successfully change the strings, tune the guitar and play a handful of my favorite songs. In order to find the right sound, it is important the strings have the right amount of tension.

“Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose.”

I feel like this is a metaphor that can be used in many different areas in life. Finding this sweet spot allows us to have a greater, deeper experience whatever it is. For example, with nutrition, I like to follow the 80/20 rule. By eating “healthy” 80% of the time, allow yourself to indulge in the “other stuff” 20% of the time.

As someone that meditates daily-ish, I find there can be a fine line with discipline and aggression. When taking my seat, there is a balance between effort and ease in the physical body. There is a sense of rooting down and lifting up with a supple spine where the front body and back support one another (discipline). If I were to shift from this suppleness to a sense of rigidity (aggression), it would change the whole experience with body, breath and mind.

There are moments in our life when rest is needed and it is important to recognize when rest shifts to laziness. One of the greatest examples that comes to mind when thinking about this concept is from the movie Mr. Mom. When Michael Keaton’s character becomes sloth-like and the house is buried under dirty dishes and clothes, unmade beds, and kids covered in dirt and food. At some point he had an ah-ha moment and pulled himself out.

I took a few years off from taking guitar lessons because of life obligations and I felt I didn’t have the time to commit. When I felt like I was able to recommit, I started taking weekly lessons once again. It now provides me a creative outlet and a form of self-care every time I strum away. Not only has music become more of a staple in my life, the idea of finding the right amount of tension has allowed me to think about how it influences other aspects of my life.

be well-