{"id":647,"date":"2026-08-17T17:36:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T17:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=647"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","slug":"the-parts-that-didnt-make-the-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=647","title":{"rendered":"The Parts That Didn&#8217;t Make the Music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tales from the Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moral Dilemma:<\/strong> If mastery requires sacrifice, discipline, and the removal of habits that hold you back, how do you distinguish the parts of yourself that must be trained away from the parts that make becoming excellent worth doing at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara wanted to play the piano beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At twelve, she played well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At fifteen, very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At seventeen, strangers stopped talking when she played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her teachers said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could be extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a dangerous sentence to give a seventeen-year-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It sounds like a compliment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes it is an invoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her final teacher was Master Orin Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He lived above an abandoned theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No advertisement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No students arriving every half hour carrying music books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People found him through recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Usually whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe can make you brilliant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The violinist who told her shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou practice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat can&#8217;t be all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat else?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The violinist looked at his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou practice differently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Master Vale&#8217;s piano was enormous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Black wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keys yellowed with age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara sat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPlay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSomething you love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She chose a small piece her mother used to hum while cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale stopped her after fourteen measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re protecting it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrom what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBeing played.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He made her start again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stopped her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For three hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the end Mara hated him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also played the opening better than she ever had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was irritating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale accepted her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFour hours daily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI already practice four.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSix.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou said four.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFour here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEvery day?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen organize your time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFriends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOrganize your time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFamily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOrganize.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale noticed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lazy fingering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">False emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Showing off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whenever she hid behind speed, he slowed her down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whenever she hid behind precision, he demanded feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whenever she performed emotion she did not actually feel, he stopped her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was cruel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not theatrically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No screaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No insults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou played that passage beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was also dishonest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smile gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Months passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Friends stopped inviting her places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She always declined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her grades fell in subjects that were not music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She quit fencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stopped drawing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stopped volunteering at the animal shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her life became narrower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her playing became enormous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At eighteen, Mara performed publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When she finished, nobody moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then the theater erupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara bowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Backstage she found Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMeasure seventy-three.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her stomach dropped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou rushed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBy how much?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara hated him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She practiced measure seventy-three until sunrise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That morning she found the dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Barely visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the piano legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She touched it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDon&#8217;t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cResidue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrom what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPractice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPractice doesn&#8217;t produce glitter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt isn&#8217;t glitter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He called it Fancy Dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat&#8217;s really what it&#8217;s called?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is it called?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo you named mysterious magical residue <em>Fancy Dust?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy teacher did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour teacher was ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara immediately liked this unknown person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dust appeared when someone practiced beyond ordinary concentration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not merely repetition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The place where attention became almost complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hours vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Body forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Music and musician narrowed into one thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dust gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale collected it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat does it do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNothing useful by itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why collect it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause it tells me when something has been removed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara became still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRemoved?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale pointed at the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPlay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale stopped her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat were you thinking about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIsn&#8217;t that good?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He opened a small wooden box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gold dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll of it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat has been removed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is what concerns me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She tried to remember the last time she had drawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Barely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The animal shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Names of dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her fencing instructor&#8217;s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A friend&#8217;s birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Forgotten entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat did you do to me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale&#8217;s expression hardened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI taught you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou took things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He pointed at the dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou gave them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara slapped him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale accepted it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That made her angrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She went home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Opened an old sketchbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Charcoal drawings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her mother&#8217;s hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara remembered making them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the desire to draw was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not suppressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like remembering a food she no longer liked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She found her fencing sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Held it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Letters from friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She read them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Affection remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Urgency didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Music had consumed the available territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPut it back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t know how.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou collected it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat doesn&#8217;t mean I understand it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why didn&#8217;t you warn me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWHY?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause you would have stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat was my decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd you took it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale closed his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She hated him then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not student hatred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moral hatred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had decided her greatness was worth more than her consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps because he knew she would become great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps because he wanted to witness it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps because someone had once done the same to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None were excuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDid this happen to you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale looked at the boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dozens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Labels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One very old box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ORIN.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat did you lose?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He smiled strangely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That frightened Mara more than anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She stopped lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her playing deteriorated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She forced herself to draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Went fencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lost badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visited old friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversation felt slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unproductive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She wanted the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After three months she returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale opened the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI want lessons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause I love music.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter everything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen nothing changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEverything changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She placed a contract on the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One day off every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One month away every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No competitions without Mara&#8217;s decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No practice beyond six hours under any circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Fancy Dust appeared, session stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale looked disgusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is absurd.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou will never reach your previous trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could become one of the greatest pianists alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd you&#8217;re choosing less.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She tapped the contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;m choosing more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale did not understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He signed anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara became excellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Possibly great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not legendary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another pianist from Vale&#8217;s school surpassed her technically by twenty-three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another by twenty-six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One became famous throughout the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara sometimes envied them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She admitted this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then went home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She drew again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then less badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She fenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moderately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Had friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fell in love twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first time disastrously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second lasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She taught children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She played concerts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes she practiced too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes Fancy Dust appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it did, she stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter how well the session was going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Especially then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One evening, decades later, Master Vale attended her concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara played the piece her mother used to hum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The simple one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourteen measures in, Mara made a tiny mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale heard it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Afterward he found her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMeasure fourteen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou missed the upper note.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale began laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had never heard him laugh before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They drank wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could have been better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes that bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course it bothers me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause regret doesn&#8217;t automatically mean the decision was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale became quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you regret what you gave up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t remember what I gave up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat&#8217;s not an answer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is the only one I have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She reached across the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Took his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His fingers moved unconsciously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practicing patterns against the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWas I wrong to teach you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWrong to push you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWrong not to tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No hesitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEven if telling you would have made you stop?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEspecially then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It hurt him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some lessons should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Vale died, Mara inherited the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hundreds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fancy Dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lives narrowed into excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did not destroy them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She couldn&#8217;t return what had been surrendered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead she placed the boxes in the conservatory archive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beside them she put Vale&#8217;s teaching notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And her contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students could read both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years later, one of Mara&#8217;s students asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow much should I sacrifice if I want to be great?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The student looked surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGreatness is expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat depends what you&#8217;re buying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The student frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara opened her old sketchbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bad drawings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wonderful drawings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unimportant drawings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She showed the student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her husband asleep in a chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dog wearing a hat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The student laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat does this have to do with piano?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why show me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She closed the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDiscipline requires cutting things away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The student nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDistraction. Vanity. Laziness. Sometimes comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut don&#8217;t become so impressed by the knife that you forget to ask what you&#8217;re cutting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across the room stood the old black piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beneath it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara sat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was still a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If mastery requires sacrifice, discipline, and the removal of habits that hold you back, how do you distinguish the parts of yourself that must be trained away from the parts that make becoming excellent worth doing at all? Mara wanted to play the piano beautifully. Not well. Beautifully. There [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tales-from-the-universe"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Parts That Didn&#039;t Make the Music - Depth Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=647\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Parts That Didn&#039;t Make the Music - Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If mastery requires sacrifice, discipline, and the removal of habits that hold you back, how do you distinguish the parts of yourself that must be trained away from the parts that make becoming excellent worth doing at all? Mara wanted to play the piano beautifully. Not well. Beautifully. 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