173rd Reflection💬

“What is the beat value of the patience needed in realising your dream with God❓”

The beat value may last for as long as a year.

......

20/05/2021 (Sun) 14:00 Ping Chau

I followed a church sister, travelled to Ping Chau on a ship and visited her friend. He is a brilliant composer.

Friend said, “What did you start studying music?”

I said, “Last year.”

Friend said, “Why did you pursue music studies?”

I said, “I love it. I’ve been thinking of it but I just couldn’t make up my mind.”

Friend said, “Why could you make up your mind in the end?”

I said, “The underlying reason is that I’ve been changing since I believed in Jesus.”

Friend said, “You’re a Christian?”

I said, “Yes, I am.”

Friend said, “I’m a Catholic. You’ve mentioned the underlying reason. How about the immediate cause?”

I said, “The immediate causes are the outbreak of the coronavirus and no contract renewal by HKBU. So I enrolled in music studies.”

Friend said, “Great. What are you studying music?”

I said, “I failed the entrance exam. So I’m doing the foundation study this year. Next year, I’ll start studying composition.”

I opened the website of Hong Kong International Institute of Music and showed him the course content.

Friend said, “Good. Try your best.”

I said, “When did you start learning music?”

Friend said, “I started learning music on my own.”

I said, “Later?”

Friend said, “I was then admitted to the university.”

I said, “Where?”

Friend said, “England.”

I said, “For a bachelor?”

Friend said, “Yes, for three and a half years.”

I said, “Then for a Master?”

Friend said, “Yes, for two years.”

I said, “Then for a Doctorate?”

Friend said, “Yes, for three and a half years.”

I said, “Bachelor, Master and Doctor, all in composition?”

Friend said, “Yes.”

I said, “It’s taken as long as 9 years just to complete your university studies.”

Friend said, “Yes.”

I said, “Now you’re doing what you’ve learnt - being a full-time composer?”

Friend said, “Yes.”

Friend picked two books out from the shelf.

Friend said, “A gift for you.”

I got two books as thick as a dictionary. One is “Harmony”. Another is “The Structure and Style of Music.”

Friend said, “You’re studying composition next year. You’ll certainly find these two books helpful. Take them.”

I said, “Wow, thank you.”

......

Another me said, “In pursuing your dream - music, doesn’t God walk along with you?”

I said, “Yes.”

Another me said, “What’s God doing? Is He to scare me?”

I said, “Of what are now scared?”

Another me said, “Just to learn music, it takes 3 years and a half, and another 2 years and another 3 years and a half. It’s scary to hear the word “year” and “year” again.”

I said, “But the fact is that it indeed takes years and years to learn well every beat of music in every bar.”

Another me said, “How many bars are there in the piece of music that you like?”

I said, “The piece that I like, Beethoven’s sonata in F minor, Op. 2, No. 1, contains 482 bars.”

Another me said, “Oh, come on. How many years are needed to complete the learning? Who can tell?”

I said, “He did it in 9 years. With the gaps between studies included, it took 10 years.”

Another me said, “10 years? How many 10 years are there in our lives?”

I said, “Nobody can tell how many 10 years there are in their lives. Only God knows.”

Another me said, “Do you know you have been lagging since the race started? You haven’t started learning until you’re already 30 something. Some listens Beethoven’s since they were in their mum’s womb. You know?”

I said, “No hurry. I already walk with God.”

Another me said, “God walks with you? If He does, why are you lagging behind for thousands of beats?”

I said, “Do you mean that when walking with God, we move as fast as sounds?”

Another me said, “Yes, of course.”

I said, “Are you now walking with God?”

Another me said, “Yes, I’m. But you, it’s hard to tell.”

I said, “If you’re now walking with God, already being together with God, then where are you hurrying to? To heaven?”