One Measure at a Time

My Papa Jack (92) told me today that Yo Yo Ma was asked how he could create such spectacular, complex, rich musical experiences. "One Measure at a time" was the response. Papa Jack was explaining how musicians can tackle major works, but I understood it as an apt metaphor to the complexity of our lives.

Sometimes I wonder how I can balance so much: four small kids, unstable ex, monumental financial pressure, startup ventures, hundreds of employees, nail-biting financings, social life, friends and family. The truth is when I step back to tackle the whole symphony, I cannot do it: cacauphony ensues, head spins, vertigo. But when I attack life one measure at a time (not a single step, not a page, but a measure-- a set of notes still difficult to play but firmly within my grasp), I thrive. Looking back a page or two, I can see the measures as music well played, and even as I concentrate on the measure at hand I can hear the larger piece taking shape.