Given all the information and stimulation bombarding our senses daily, it is no wonder that more children and adults in the U.S., and I would imagine around the world, are experiencing attention deficit disorders. In a world where multitasking is applauded, and singlemindedness is frowned upon, it is difficult to see the value of both in our lives. When you look at musical notes in a score of music, sometimes you see the same note, or the same chord repeated throughout the score. In chords, different notes are played simultaneously, and sometimes one note is played alone. Sometimes the most dramatic parts of the score are when we hear one note or one chord sustained, and sometimes the power comes in the rapid variation of notes and chords.
Our lives, like musical scores, can be set in a genre of our own choosing. Different genres may suit different seasons and situations in our lives. Timing, rhythm, tempo, and key signatures determine the genre, the mood, and the impact of the music just as much as the chords and notes. Although that sounds like a lot of multitasking, remember that everything begins with one beat and one note. In music there are places of rest, which can also dramatically affect the beauty of the music, but flatlining on a heart monitor means death, so do not remain at rest too long.
Playing well, or even appreciating good music, requires discipline, a love of music, and daily practice. Love, discipline, and daily practice are also needed to live well. If for some reason you have gotten off step and out of rhythm, simply mark time for a moment, and get back into the flow. Life is like a symphony or a grand concert, and we all have a role. Our notes, chords, and rhythm were given to us with the first beat of our hearts, and our success in life is determined in how well our hearts are played before God, and in concert with one another.