Wisdom from My Violin Teacher: Relationships & Grand Memories Are the Whole Point of Life

Another long flight and another round of movies to pass the time, when I don’t feel like reading. I’ve always loved this scene from Fast Five, part of the Fast & Furious franchise when the main character Dominic is saluting his crew. “Money will come and go. We all know that. The most important thing in life will always be the people in this room. Right here, right now.”

It’s a great scene and really great comment. Life is all about people. The amazing people in your life. Your family and your friends. They are the ones who drive the special moments in your life. Ones that you would remember forever. 

It also reminded me of a conversation I had with my violin teacher Lorraine Ovenell, before I went traveling in Europe after I graduated from university so many years ago. She said it was an incredibly good idea that I leave to explore the world as I would learn a lot about myself. And that I would also see new places and meet new people. But probably most important was that all the new experiences would lead to great memories. Paraphrasing her, she said “at the end of our lives, all we will have will be grand memories that we will enjoy and replay over and over.”

We hear that right before the end of life, we see the lives pass before our eyes. If that does happen, wouldn’t you want to have that filled with fond memories. Like your first win in sports, your first kiss, falling in love, seeing the birth of your child, the excitement of a new job or relationship, reliving the excitement of visiting a new place or returning to a place you love. Amazing and beautiful memories. 

So my point is try to fill your life up with as much joy, adventure, achievement, friendships and wonderful memories as possible, because that’s all we will really have at the end.