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Recently I had an
MRI on one of my shoulder joints and the pain I was experiencing was
attributed to "wear and tear." Two health professionals have
now told me it is their view the joint damage came from years of playing
a guitar. All I can say is that it has been worth it. Paderewski played
the piano with such passion that he hurt himself several times. He
refused to change. He figured the passion and pleasure made the pain
pale in significance. I love a thing
going around on the Net now saying life is not meant to be trudged
through. We should go at it with zest and at the end go sliding to the
end with a big "Wow!" Don't think I am
into pain. I do not like it. But I love life. I love my guitars. I
cannot live without my music. If doing it damages me in any way, let me
just add that every minute of it has been one of my deepest pleasures in
these years I have been on this planet. Remember Joe
Namath's knees? To do what he loved and what he was so good at doing --
quarterbacking -- his knees took an incredible beating from 300 pound
opposing linemen. He had to do what he wanted to do in this life so he
accepted the cost. The level of
stress in some political positions is incredible. I went through that
stress for 16 years but I have no regrets. I was able to build
industrial parks, and riverparks and all kinds of things for my
hometown. As Porter Wagoner sang, "I've Enjoyed As Much of This As
I Can Stand,"but I will never regret doing it. There is no type
of work in this world that does not have a pain aspect. Doctors watch
some patients die and what could bring on a more intense sense of
failure than that? Counselors watch some people destroy their lives with
bad decisions. Ministers watch some souls choose a way of life that
breaks up their families and leads to a terrible end for them. But think
of the pleasures of each of those callings! Maybe some will
not think playing for dances is a noble calling but I disagree. I went
last night to hear my friends play in a big nightclub. It is a good way
to make a living and brings great joy to people who love to dance. Al
Harvey and I recorded a song about the highs and lows of a picker: Forty's old for a
picker Yeah, he's lucky
if he don't die quicker There's no sick
leave for a picker When he's sick he
has to get well quicker Forget the pain
and dive into the pleasures. We are here to spend ourselves with passion
doing those things we have the talents and intense desires to do. Something is
going to take me out of this world and I hope it is something I love to
do. What better way to go than doing what your body, mind and soul
impels you to do. When I die, my
song is not going to be unsung, my guitar is not going to be unstrung. Dalton's
website is www.DaltonRoberts.com.
His writings are gathered at www.ipsfeatures.com.
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