As I mentioned yesterday, for the past couple of weeks, the impending double "fives" has had me thinking about "what's next." I've been thinking about this for a while, but Eliud Kipchoge helped clarify what was bouncing around my head.
What is my 1:59:59?
Where is my next mountain to climb, or goal to achieve? What task or obstacle is so uniquely suited to my skill sets and life experiences that I can help move the needle in a meaningful way? What is the problem I see differently because of my vantage point? What thoughts keep me up at night and then consumes my days?
I catch brief glimpses of it (my 1:59:59) as I work, think, and write, but don't yet fully understand it. I see its parts, but don't know how to put them together, or what the completed picture will look like. So there I sit, grasping to find it, desperately reaching for it, and failing to put it all together.
I don't entirely know what it is, but I know what it's not.
It's NOT a world record, or any record at all. It's NOT even a number or milestone. It's not that concrete. And let's be honest, at 55, I am not likely to challenge the limits of human endurance and physical achievement. It's NOT challenging something that already exists. It's creating something that doesn't. It's NOT something I can do alone. It will require others, which means it's NOT about me, but about US.
As I said, I know what it's NOT. But I also know a little bit about what it IS.
It IS rooted in music education. I am sure of that. It IS grounded in advocacy and IS aimed to provide a voice for teachers who are overwhelmed and overworked. It IS wanting to provide a common understanding and language around what music IS and does for young people. It IS trying to show people that in order to fix what is wrong and broken, we should start with what's right and working; MUSIC. It IS rooted in truth and fact, but shared with zeal and enthusiasm that IS both righteous and unapologetic.
I know what it's NOT. I know a bit about what it IS. But Elian shows us that the why is just as important?
“People ask me why I run. It is for life and to inspire the younger generation to love sport and live a happy and full life. I can't imagine a life without running.”
As I mentioned yesterday, I am a runner, and distance is my thing. But, I am no Eliud Kipchoge. But we may be similar in some other ways. We share a WHY.
People ask me (Scott) why I teach music. It is for life and to inspire the next generation to love music and lead a happy and full life. I can't imagine a life without music.
Maybe we're not that different after all.
I want people to see music the way I do, as the single greatest transformational activity in our schools today.
The how is a bit more complicated and where I can't connect all of the pieces.
I want everyone in our industry to understand that we are concerned/threatened by the same issues, and need to fight them with a cohesive and combined effort.
I want people to understand that while we are (understandably) fractured by time, space, curricula, and levels, we must speak as one.
I want everyone to know that as teachers, administrators, manufacturers, marketers, composers, and publishers, our metrics for success may be different, but our end goal is the same; kids in chairs making music.
I want us to be unapologetic in stating that music us not a byproduct or elective and is not scheduled to make other adults lives more convenient.
I want people to understand the value proposition of what we do, instead of fundraising to do it.
I want the world to know that while we have the same amount of time to teach, we teach more things, to more children, that have more life use than anyone understands.
I WANT MUSIC ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY CHILD EVERY DAY! That is my 1:59:59!
I want to do this for, me, and for you. You don't have the time, energy, or resources. You are overworked, undervalued, and underfunded. You are doing the real work. You are the one running the marathon. You are Eliud Kipchoge!
I do this at 55 because I couldn't do this at 25. I was too attention-seeking, selfish, inexperienced, and immature. These 55 years of roaming, growing, failing, watching, listening, and experiencing were all part of the preparation process. A marathon must be trained for, and this is my marathon. I have trained for this moment for over thirty years.
I know what it is NOT. I know mostly what it IS. I know my WHY. Now I need to know the WHO.
Eliud Kipchoge may be the only record-holder, but he did not race alone. He had a large team and support system; trainers, nutritionists, pacers, scientists, doctors, and more. He may be the one have crossed the finish is solitude, but if you watch the documentary, until the final 100 yards, he was NEVER alone. Not in life, not is his belief. Every member of his team BELIEVED that they would achieve it, and they did.
Remember what Eliud said, "To do something, YOU have to believe that you can."
You are the one running the marathon each and every day. My 1:59:59 is to make your marathon easier.
I believe that WE can. What about you? Do YOU believe?
Yesterday, I told you I would ask for a birthday present. I would love it if you would send me a selfie with your poster and your 1:59:59. Email me, text me (480) 577-5264, DM/FB me. It does not matter what your 1:59:59 is, I just want to know we are in the same race and not alone.
In the meantime, have a great day.
- Scott