When I was 9 years old I played the Saxophone and thought I was pretty good at it. Unfortunately, I had a teacher who didn't think so and he went out of his way to make sure I knew how he felt.

One day, my mother bought me a new saxophone (it wasn't exactly new it was used) but to me, it was the best gift I ever received. Now, of course, I wanted my teacher's approval and so I showed him my new instrument.

He called it a piece of s---!

Then the tears started to flow and from that moment on, I lost all interest in playing the saxophone.

Now, mind you, I loved this instrument. I loved the honking sound it made and the way it looked. I thought it was the coolest thing on planet Earth. But, getting that kind of criticism at such a young age destroyed my spirit and I soon found myself growing very disinterested in playing the Sax.

Self-expression is a very personal thing. It's a thing that brings joy and happiness and can die very quickly if it is not protected and guarded from criticism. Even though I was a child and fragile, it is the child part of us that can become wounded if we allow others to walk over us - consciously or unconsciously.

Edward Weiss

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet!