GiveLoveLiveMore

or:

A jack of all trades, but a master of none.

Since about middle school, this phrase has haunted me. I didn’t want to admit it, but I have held myself back from doing other things because I wanted to be a master of something. Why do I have to be a master of just one thing anyway? Why must I be a master, to begin with? While I think I understand that the sentiment means to be the “best” at something, it still never sat well with me. I have fixated my focus on this idea for years, getting sidetracked along the way (and rightfully so, I think).

I’ve always found that I’m good at a few things, and I’m only adding to the feathers in my cap. I was speaking with one of my close friends, Theo the other day, and he helped me understand things a little differently.

Me: “You know how I feel about being a jack of all trades and a master of none.”

Him: “But Herb, what’s wrong with being a jack of all trades? A great producer has to be. You know how to pull out certain things out of an artist, or how to get [an instrumentalist] to articulate things a certain way.”

Me: “Hmm. I never thought of it that way. That makes perfect sense.”

Hmm. I never saw it that way before. My understanding has increased as result of that conversation. I have greater clarity. It brings to mind the saying,”We are the sum of our experiences.” In other words, not one ounce of my experiences will be wasted.

They will all be used for my benefit. I have greater inner peace now. This will make me a master of many.

Being a jack of all trades could develop me into a master of many.

Until next time,

Love & Peace.