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Play by Ear

Play by Ear

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Play by Ear--hands on piano keysMy sister received most of our family’s piano ability. She plays by reading music, plus she can play by ear. If she hears a song, she eventually figures out how to play it.

To play music by ear means to play without looking at printed music.

I have a hard time playing with or without the written score.

Play by ear also means to act without specific plans or rules.

We decide what to do as we go. Rather than worry about details, we

  • Remain flexible.
  • Adapt to the circumstances.
  • Take one step at a time.
  • Deal with events as they arise.

We fly by the seat of our pants.

Some of us do well playing by ear. Others desire more organization.

We want to know:

  • What are we to do?
  • When are we to do it?
  • How do we do it?
  • Who will help us?
  • What happens every step of the way?

Whether we prefer to plan or not, we can make beautiful music with our lives.

Every day offers opportunities to:

  • Do our best.
  • Encourage one another.
  • Worship God.

“I will sing and make music to the Lord” (Psalm 27:6 NIV).

Thanks to Cindy Shoemaker for the suggestion and to Gail Gosser for the photo.

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Push the Envelope

Push the Envelope

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Push the Envelope--planes flying up through cloudsTo push the envelope has nothing to do with cards and letters or their containers. It refers more to math and airplanes.

To push the envelope means to go beyond the usual limits.

 People try to do more than has been done before. They test boundaries.

  • Youth test their parents’ rules.
  • Technology companies go beyond past performance.
  • Sports players set new records.

They attempt what many people would never try. In their minds, nothing ventured, nothing gained. By going to extremes, they often discover new possibilities. However, they also risk ending up in hot water.

Details on math or airplane envelopes can be found at The Phrase Finder.

In simple terms, an airplane’s envelope refers to limits where the plane can safely fly. When pilots push the envelope, they test their plane’s limits. They fly faster or higher or dive more than they have tried before.

If pilots go too far, they put themselves and their plane at risk.

People learn lessons when they push the envelope.

  • Some lessons create new opportunities.
  • Other lessons cause great pain.

The question each person must ask: Is the test worth the risk?

“God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness” (Psalm 145:3 MSG).

Thanks to Tim Lewis for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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No Holds Barred

No Holds Barred

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No Holds Barred-two wrestlersNo holds barred means no rules.

Years ago, wrestlers fought with no limits. They used any hold they chose. Today, most follow rules.

No holds barred also means extreme.

We do whatever it takes to get what we want. We fight for:

  • The best job
  • More money
  • Freedom

Nothing gets in the way of our goal.

No holds barred is a dangerous way to live.

Without rules, wrestlers risk injury and death. The same applies to all of us.

We need rules.

We may not always like them. However, rules:

  • Give guidance
  • Keep us safe
  • Let us know what to expect

Rules make life better for everyone. They help keep us out of hot water.

God gave the Ten Commandments for a better life. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love one another. If we do that, we keep all the others. We stay on the straight and narrow.

“If anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5 NET)

Thanks to Timothy Lewis for the suggestion and DeWayne Frazier for the photo.

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Straight and Narrow

Straight and Narrow

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Straight and Narrow--alleyTo get from one place to another, we must often follow the straight and narrow:

  • Alleys
  • Streets
  • Paths
  • Seas or rivers

Occasionally we see this expression written strait and narrow.

Some narrow sea passages are called straits.

The Strait of Gibraltar leads from the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean Sea. At one place it is only eight miles wide.

You can find more information about the Strait of Gibraltar here.

When we follow the straight and narrow, we do what we should.

That is true for our lives as well as travel.

We follow the straight and narrow when we:

  • Go the right direction
  • Follow rules or laws
  • Act right
  • Speak the truth

 We may get in trouble if we leave the straight and narrow.

Many times we:

  • Get lost
  • Lead other people the wrong way
  • Get hurt or hurt others

Life can be fun off the beaten path.  However, we want to be sure that path does not take us the wrong way.

Let’s enjoy where we go and what we do when we hit the trail. However, let’s also watch our step and go only where we should go.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 HCSB).

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Toe the Mark

Toe the Mark

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Toe the MarkBefore a race, runners toe the mark.

They place their toes at the starting line, never beyond it. The smallest movement too far disqualifies them. If they want to win, they must follow the rules.

The same requirement applies to a children’s race, a fundraiser for charity, or the Olympics.

We never outgrow rules.

So why do we sometimes ignore them? Why do we act like they apply to other people but not us?

Although not always fun, rules make life easier for everyone. This holds true not only in games but in everything we do.

Yes, some people cheat and never get caught. Yet, they will always know they did not deserve the victory? They will always wonder if their deceit will be discovered. They can never relax and completely enjoy their prize.

A runner who breaks the rules loses only a game. In life, we risk losing far more:

  • Our self-respect.
  • The respect of others.
  • Our good name.
  • The ability to enjoy life.

Let’s play by the rules.

In everything, let’s do what’s right. That way we win, whether we cross the finish line first or not.

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 MSG).

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