When I was younger, I desperately wanted to learn how to play the guitar.  I felt that all the “cool” kids learned how to play and well…I’m sure you, at one point in your life, viewed that reason enough to try anything.  So I begged my parents  and they bought me a $50 used guitar.  I practiced for about three weeks, and then put it away in the closet.  Why?  Well first, it’s not an easy instrument to learn.  Second, I am a lefty and had trouble trying to refigure out the chords from right handed people.  And third, I didn’t really want to learn how to play.  I mean, not for the sake of the instrument and the music it could bring.  I wanted to learn to be cool.  Perhaps if I had viewed the process and the end results differently, I could be strumming along today.  Now as I am older, I value uniqueness much more than the idea of being “cool.”  Standing out as someone different in a sea of look a likes inspires me to pursue my own dreams.  Enter “girl playing a violin.”  When the majority of the photographs from the 1850’s and 60’s show women in their finery, looking elegant and deliciously middle class, this young woman chose to be photographed with her violin.  And I like that about her.  Was she good?  Maybe…but see it doesn’t matter, she did what made her happy and that was enough.  I hope all of you embrace that thing in your life that makes you unique and different!