“Every great musician was once a beginner”

[Shared via newsletter Oct 9, 2025]

Fellow Travelers,

The light and temperatures are shifting. Despite sweating with 90 degree weather this past weekend, Minneapolis is now feeling more like autumn. I’m not ready to say goodbye to my garden yet but I did bring in some of our potted plants. 

With the start of the school year, I’m reflecting on dear teachers, mentors and guides. These beings of deep significance along our journeys. Who are some of your teachers who met you when you were in a place of vulnerability, of tenderness, of doubt? These teachers shined their light on you so you could feel and remember your light, your capabilities and competencies. These teachers allowed you to remember that it's ok to not know.

Our fifth grader is in band this year, learning an instrument for the first time. I marvel at the patience and skill of her band teacher to be able to be in the same room as a classroom full of squirrely, energetic and loud kids and instruments. Let alone teach them to play together! This band teacher sent a text to all of us parents with tools to coach our kids. She said simply 

“Please continue to support and encourage them. It’s easy to get frustrated. Remind them  “every great musician was once a beginner.”

Wow. This beautiful phrase brought tears of liquid love to my face. I got out a notecard, wrote it down, and placed it on the center of my fridge. 

Many blessings to the teachers, mentors and guides amongst us.  (We are all teachers, mentors and guides).