Real life experiences: practice leads to success
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Yesterday I asked you guys the question: “What are you insanely interested in?”
I got two great responses that would both deserve to stand out as their own blog posts: Tiitus told about his love for music and how a TV drama got him carried away with playing piano. And Timo told about the amazing feeling he had after finishing his first marathon.
Today I’m letting these two guys tell you their stories. I did some small editing, but otherwise the stories are exactly what they wrote on the comments yesterday.
If you want to share your story, leave a comment — you never know what will happen!
Tiitus: How a TV series inspired me to practice harder
I’m insanely interested in playing piano.
Mostly classical music.
I had already been interested in playing piano for about seven years, but this summer the thing that really stroke me and made me try harder and practice more was a Japanese TV drama: Nodame Cantabile.
It made me realize that if I really want to become good some day, I must practice. There’s no other way.
The TV series also encouraged me and fed my enthusiasm so that I started to like classical music and to understand music more. I started to enjoy playing the piano in a whole new way! It felt great.
The more I play, the more excited I get and it’s just so great fun! When playing the piano you can never get so good that you could think that you handle it perfectly. There are always new things to discover and to learn.
The piano is also an instrument that evolves with the pianist and it’s just unbelievable how great sounds you can get out of it. I wouldn’t have believed when I first started with ‘Ukko Nooa’ and ‘Kissan polkka’ (Some very simple Finnish songs) that someday I could play Beethoven, Mozart and other great pieces of famous composers.
And still, I have so many things to learn. It feels like I could learn about piano for my whole life and still I wouldn’t know all of it. That’s why I’m interested in it, insanely!
Timo: It’s the feeling when you cross the finishing line
I’m into endurance sports like marathon. This summer I also participated in my first (but definitely not last) triathlon.
I have a family member who is very good at both sports, so perhaps that was a bit of an influence for me. Then I just decided to join the local marathon school with the goal of running the Helsinki City Marathon in 2006.
I made an new year resolution in 2005/2006 New Years Eve: I will finish my first marathon that year.
Running my first marathon last year gave me such a boost of self confidence that I wanted to train even more and achieve even better results. So it’s really all about the awesome feeling you get after crossing the finish line. Or if not right after crossing the finish line then at least the next day. The moment when you finally realize your accomplishment.
Also, pushing yourself to the limit is something that is rewarding afterwards.
Sports - it has truly changed my life more than I imagined during these two years. Lot’s of good things have happened to me because of it and I hope that I continue to be heavily involved with it in the future too.
Insanely Interesting September
This month at JarkkoLaine.com we are celebrating an insanely interesting September. Here’s why Tiitus and Timo think this September will be the most exciting ever:
Tiitus: This September has been a very interesting month so far, but all the best things are still to come!
My Japanese lessons are going to start tomorrow, which is pretty cool. I’m also going to start taking driving lessons this month. (or next month… It depends on many things.) That’s interesting because I have never driven a car before. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it ;)
School is also interesting, being with friends and discovering new stuff about biology or physics, it’s great! And of course all the ‘normal’ stuff that can be only watched through the eyes of a foreigner or a tourist. I have done it for quite a long time and discovered a lot of great stuff about my town and country!
Timo: My goal is to run under four hours time in a marathon contest held at the end of this month.
This month we’re celebrating Insanely Interesting September. Check out the announcement and participate in the group writing project: What do you find interesting today? What makes this September the most interesting so far? Why are you insanely interested in something? Share your thoughts and see what others have written.
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September 12th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Jarkko, thanks. I’m really appreciated !!! :)
Yes, running one was a dream of mine too. I never thought that I could do it but what do you know !
September 12th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Nice post you have today :D thanks!
September 12th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
The pleasure was all mine! Thanks for your great comments, guys. :)
September 15th, 2007 at 12:45 am
Tiitus - love that you could be inspired by TV! (See TV is good for you.)
Timo - you make me want to exercise. Thanks for a great story.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Mission accomplished !!! I finished my third marathon yesterday and the time was 03.43.41 ! I have lot’s of plans and goals for the coming years but still, one (sub)goal is reached and there is still lot’s of stuff to accomplish in this sport. And yes, I’m feeling pretty hyped right now !!!! :)
September 30th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Wow, that’s great, Timo! Congratulations!