Growing into Things

​I have written about it before, but I relate to it so much.  I was just listening to a song by Reliant K called Mrs Hippopotamus.  There is a line in there that takes me back every time.  It says, “They do karate while we’re setting up and checking the sound.”
It amazes me what I get used to.  I remember the mic was almost a bridge too far for me.  I looked at it and though, “what if I need to adjust it?”  I so hoped that would not need to happen.
Yet there came a time when holding and adjusting a mic was second nature to me.  But it was not always that way.  By doing it I got used to it.  I am really glad people give other people space to grow.  I was not born with some abilities.  I needed to learn them.  That involves messing things up.  But thankfully it does not mean always messing things up.
I remember the first time I ever played a piano and heard my voice through speakers.  I know I was impressed anyway.  The good thing was it gave me an idea of what was being heard through the speakers pointing to the crowd.  I use the word crowd loosely.
The thing is, getting it right is a process.  It is only through trial and error something is arrived at.  I look at big time concerts and marvel at the synchronization and the amazing sound.  The thing is, for everyone involved it is a learned skill, and what is on display is the result of learning, practicing and working on getting it right.
Nothing just happens.  Everything is the result of conscious will.  Whatever I have got I have had to go for.  Things may be presented on a platter, but I still need to eat the contents of the platter.
Sometimes though there has been no platter on display.  I knew it was there somewhere, but I needed to find it.  Learning and growing got me closer to the platter but it was a process.  Eventually I found the platter.  What a joyous time that was for me.
I was videoing something today.  Before the halfway mark, the battery started flashing red.  It reminded me of when my petrol tank showed empty and I knew I still needed to travel a long way before I could rectify the situation.  Not only was the video battery flashing, but I was using my phone to record sound.  I was asking myself continually, did I turn it on properly?  I think it all worked out though.  Well I have not heard differently yet, and this ignorance is bliss right now.
What made it worse is that when I got home and tested the sound, I heard nothing.  All the things were doing what they normally do, but there was nothing.  Late in the piece I though I better check the volume on the phone.  It was on max low.  I turned it up and it was all there.
I had that platter all to myself.  Nothing like being thrown in the deep end.  But to me that is what growing into something is about.  Learning is a must, but getting it right is way more fun.  Sometimes others have more confidence in me than I have in myself, but I am the one who is wrong. 
The more I learn and do the easier it becomes.  And joy of joys, more challenges await.