Being industrious

“I was obliged to be industrious.

Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well.”

These words were said by someone who is considered by many as the most important figure in the history of music. That´s right, it seems almost like a joke, but no. He was humble, and very hardworking.

He was also father to 20 children, though only 10 survived until adulthood.

Tough times, the Baroque period…

Many times I reflect deeply on the meaning and relevance of those words by Johann Sebastian Bach. It´s true that some work harder than others, and often the result can be quantifiable.

But, not always.

There are so many factors to take into account, that I wonder just how true it is to claim that if we were all as industrious as Bach was, we would´ve had equal “success”.

I, for one, work very hard. Much more than practically anyone that I know of personally. I start working when my eyes open first thing in the early morning, and finish when my eyes close in bed right before going to sleep. Every day.

BUT…

…I couldn´t say that my results (or success) are anywhere near Bach´s..

I don´t really mind though. We don´t all need to be as great as Bach, not even close. We don´t need to change music hisotry. Or any history.

But, I do think that whatever we do, we have to work hard to be whatever it is we´re meant to be or to do. Call me a dreamer, an idealist, or whatever. But as for me, I couldn´t live with myself if I weren´t active every single day in progressing towards the ever-increasing goal of becoming the best type of person I could be.

Perhaps that´s the ultimate meaning behind those words by Bach…

Here´s my favorite Bach recording ever: Glenn Gould´s 1955 recording of the Goldberg Variations. It´s perhaps also my favorite work by Bach, or at least among the top ones.

Have a great day.

Claudio.