I remember how awful it sounded when my niece first picked up a violin.  She was not quite five. Under the guidance of my older sister, her other aunt, she followed the Suzuki Method for years, eventually learning how to read music. She loved performing and took pride in getting better. Not living in the same home, I didn’t get to observe her practice very often. I think that’s where the magic happens. I remembered that when I talked to Peter Seman about how he learned to play the bluegrass style fiddle, how he played “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” over and over and over again. Think of something you wanted to do, to master, and the commitment you made to yourself to PRACTICE. Think about one or two things that kept you motivated to get better. Think about how grateful you were to have those things in your life.