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Talent Scout
Practice
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following is true - I promise. When I actually saw all of
this transpire, I thought it was crazy. I thought he was crazy. But now
- I'm not so sure.
I played in the school band with the guy. He was good - very good
actually....maybe "too" good. He was good-looking. He was personable.
He was every girl's walking, breathing dream. And he was a few guys'
living, breathing nightmare. He graduated school with a 4.0 grade
average and scholarships to sweeten the college deal. He excelled at
the school's extra-curricular sports. He was tall, muscle-toned, and
tanned. There was not a chord he did not know, nor an instrument he
could not play. After graduation he went on vacation before college.
When he returned he was not the same. The "light" did not shine as
brightly as it once had shone. He still knew music. He still could
play. But a part was gone from him - some part that would make a
full-circle. He was still personable - still muscle-toned, still
good-looking. He still had the "light" in his eyes. It just did not
shine as brightly - or as far as it once had shone. His world was
now... just music. This is where the story gets interesting - to me
anyway.
He used to walk around in the dead of summer wearing a sweater and a
sweatband on his head and matching sweatbands on his wrists. I saw him
running in place dressed like this - in the summer sun. I saw him in
his garage - dressed like this - in the summer - with the doors and
windows closed - and a heater running... practicing his guitar. I'll
let you readers digest this a moment. I know your thoughts...they were
my thoughts, too. But - I missed something then. I just recently saw
the "something" I missed.
I asked this guy why. Why would you do these things? Why would you live
like this? Why would you do this to yourself? Why would you disgrace
yourself and your family like this? Don't you want to live a good life?
Don't you want the "creature comforts" - own your own home - drive a
nice car - wear good clothes? And this readers, is where the story
takes a 180 degree turn.
He told me he thought a talent scout might come to Darke County and he
was going to be ready. (Sidestep why a talent scout would ever be in
Darke County.). He was going to be ready for the "big-time" - ready for
the heat from the lights on stage - ready for the physical toll of
stage activity under those conditions (moving back and forth across the
stage so all of your fans could get a close look at you) that a two
hour concert would demand of his body. The houses...cars...clothes
would come after that.
What would happen if we apply that logic to our lives now? What if we
practiced being a little "uncomfortable?" What if we turned down our
thermostats to say - 60 or 65 degrees during the winter? What if we
rolled down the windows of our car during the summer instead of using
the ac? What if we used half of the sugar in our coffee we normally
used? What if we just ate the stale cereal...or the burned toast? What
if we "got ready for"...maybe not a talent scout but, something less
"glamorous?"
Was the guy sane and just let everyone think whatever they were going
to think? Was the guy insane and I caught him in a lucid moment? I'll
never know. He's gone. But the theory intrigues me...now more than at
any other time.
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!! MONA
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