Thank you, Jon Acuff

 Jon Acuff is an amazing guy. No, I haven't personally met him, although I'd love to. Through interviews and reading his book "Start" and being a part of his Facebook "Start Experiment", though, I feel like I have an insight into him. Start has changed my life. I e-mailed him and told him that, and received a response. But it's not just the book. The book was a paradigm shift, an "aha" moment for me. What has benefited me most has been the encouragement in the shots in the arm from the "Start Experiment" folks. You see, I saw a vague Facebook post from Jon about going on an adventure. I jumped in. Little did I know that my life would be transformed.

 I've always wanted to write music, but was paralyzed by fear. Why? I'm a musician. The competing with others, feelings of inadequacy, and much more held me back. So, with encouragement from folks, I've put myself out there. But, here's the funny part. Along the way, that scope and direction has changed. Through conversations with others, I'm looking at much, much more. Whether that's teaching lessons online, writing an ebook about how to teach piano lessons, putting together videos about choirs, handbells, praise bands, and other things, writing and recording music for podcasts and other needs, all doors are open. And I'm floored. None of these ideas were things that I would have thought of myself, but in conversations with people, they saw these things in me, and encouraged me to consider them.

 So what does all of this look like? Well, a whole lot of work. Which is a great thing. Deep down, I've known that I'm capable, just didn't believe in myself, or feel like I really could. Getting encouragement has been that spark to push me into doing it. Right now, it's dreaming big and figuring out what I can do. I'm working on redesigning my website and figuring out what needs to be on it. I'm figuring out what I can make videos of to teach, utilizing my experiences and knowledge to help others. I'm figuring out how to write an ebook, and put my experience in figuring out how to teach music lessons to better help others.

 This is all crazy, big, and way out there (in my mind), but it has the potential to be an absolutely amazing adventure. Because of Jon Acuff, his book "Start" and the "Start Experiment" on Facebook, my life is changed. And I thank you, Jon Acuff. You may or may not read this, but my life has been changed because of what you've done.

Thank you.