The Unreliable Muse: Finding Principle in Disappointment (and a Good Outfit)

We’ve all been there. You’ve anticipated something—a concert, a class, a project—spent time and resources preparing, and then… it vanishes. The disappointment is sharp, immediate. It's easy to feel cheated, frustrated, and maybe even a little angry.

This week's video, a brief lament over a canceled Colter Wall concert, captures that feeling perfectly. But it also offers a surprising glimpse into something more profound.

The video’s creator, clearly downcast, manages a wry observation: “at least my outfit was eating.” That single line—delivered with a mix of resignation and humor—is a masterclass in finding principle amidst disappointment. It’s a recognition that while external circumstances might fail us, our own agency and aesthetic choices remain firmly within our control.

Consider this in the context of music education. We strive to instill in our students a love of music, a mastery of technique, and the ability to create. But what happens when a performance falls through? What happens when a lesson is missed? Do we allow the disappointment to derail the entire process?

Absolutely not. Just as the video creator found solace in their outfit, we can find strength in the underlying principles that drive our musical pursuits. The rhythm and memory inherent in music, the way words set to music imprint themselves on the mind – these are constant, reliable, regardless of external circumstances.

Think about the Iron Rod hymns, for example. The repetition, the cadence, the familiar melodies… they are anchors in a turbulent world. Even when the performance is imperfect, the underlying truth remains.

This applies equally to our approach to teaching. The Rogue Musicians movement isn't just about learning to play an instrument; it's about cultivating a mindset. A mindset that embraces resilience, finds beauty in unexpected places, and understands that true mastery comes not from avoiding disappointment, but from navigating it with grace and a touch of humor.

The video’s brief snippet of Colter Wall’s music – “I don’t need the laws of man to tell me what I ought to do” – resonates deeply with this theme. It’s a declaration of independence, a refusal to be dictated to by external forces. It's a principle worth remembering, whether you’re facing a canceled concert or a challenging musical passage.

So, the next time disappointment strikes, remember the woman in the video and her “eating” outfit. Find your own source of solace, your own principle to hold onto. Because the music might not always be there, but the lessons it teaches—and the lessons learned in its absence—always will be.

Consider these tools to build resilience and musical understanding:

• Mighty Musician Kit: A foundational resource for early musical development.
• BYOK BYOStripe: Empowering independent musicians to share their work and build community.
• Ear Training exercises: Sharpen your musical intuition and reaction to unforeseen circumstances.
• Scripture set to music: Internalize key principles through the power of rhythm and melody.