Читать книгу The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women - Gail McMeekin - Страница 12

A few years ago, I planned a wonderful Mediterranean cruise for my husband and me. It had been a lifelong dream and it was time for us to have the experience. I was charmed by the cliffs on the island of Capri, the beauty of the French Riviera, and the periwinkle blue and white buildings on Santorini. It was an amazing adventure to places of staggering beauty. It was an investment in the joy of travel.

On the cruise ship, I met an incredible pianist, Pearl Kaufman. Since the publication of The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women, a number of people have said that they wish I had interviewed more musicians, so I took the opportunity to interview Pearl. Pearl performed on the ship three times, and each performance sparked a standing ovation with cheering. People fell all over each other in the line to buy her CDs. She was adored, and she plays on cruises all over the world to enthusiastic audiences (talk about a great job!). As Pearl said to me, “everyone should experience the joy of being cheered——there's nothing like it.” Pearl decided to become a pianist while watching a movie at age eight, and thankfully, no one tried to talk her out of it.

She received a music and scholastic scholarship to college, played for Igor Stravinsky, and is known for her famous movie performances with Henry Mancini and John Williams, among others. She loves all kinds of music, and believes strongly in its inspirational qualities. I asked her if she had any special favorites and she had an intriguing answer: “I'm like Elizabeth Taylor—I fall in love with everything I play.” Pearl says she does not get blocked or bored and never plans to retire—just slow down a bit to enjoy her grandchildren. Her advice for aspiring creatives: “Go where the action is. You can't stay home and expect your work to be seen or heard. You have to make the effort.”

Love is an essential success strategy for any endeavor. Doing work you love captivates your life force and enthusiasm. If you are settling for doing work you hate, you are missing this joy of full engagement. Falling in love with our work, over and over again, fulfills us like a great marriage. Our work is a potent relationship, and love is an essential lubricant. Pearl's love affair with her piano and its possibilities reminds us all that expressing love through our creative work is a peak experience of life.

CHALLENGE

Spend some time this month “remembering” what captivates you about your work and renew your vows.