I've taught piano lessons for the last fifteen years, beginning as a teacher in a Christian school, and then moving to teaching lessons from my home. By my figures, I've taught over 10,000 lessons in that time. Obviously the role of piano teacher has been a major facet of my identity, and I've spent a great deal of my life in that role — almost 43% of my life to be exact.
For many years the hours between 3 and 6 PM have found me in my music room, sequestered with students, teaching them theory and how to play. It's definitely been fulfilling, watching my students advance and seeing them enjoy the process of learning the instrument. But I've missed many opportunities to make dinner for my family, I've had to cut short homeschool lessons on many occasions, and my children have had to forego a number of outside activities because of my schedule.
But I taught my very last piano lesson last week; I'm no longer a piano teacher.
So why did I quit?
Well, it's just another change in a long list of changes our family has made in the past few months, all with the goal of prioritizing our life, putting God and our family first.
Since February of this year, we have become Dave Ramsey followers, and we're earnestly working on getting rid of our debt, paying off almost 20% of our debt in the last four and a half months. We've also started recycling and using reusable grocery bags (trying to be being better stewards of the planet), eating healthier, getting rid of preservatives and dyes in our diet, working out on a daily basis, and reading and discussing the Bible together as a family every evening.
By quitting teaching, I'll be able to focus more on homeschooling my kids and spend more time with my family. My design business, which has been a tremendous blessing to us in helping us pay off our debts, has much more flexible hours. So I'll be able to work in the late evenings, after my kids go to bed.
The decision to quit teaching was a very difficult one to make. But I know it was the right decision, for both me and my family.
And now on to the next chapter in my life — one that is completely new to me!
So happy for you, Joy, even though I can only imagine how bittersweet it must be.
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Teaching piano is always something you can go back to. It doesn't have to be forever unless you want it to. Your goals are so honorable and your heart is so pure in it. God bless you and I will praying for you.
-Phyllis
Wow, that's a lot of changes at once! Many blessings to you and your family.
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Awesome! We are Dave Ramsey fans and became debt free early last year. It is awesome, I must say. We're now finishing up baby step #3 and we can see the light of financial freedom ahead. So exciting!
Congrats on making a hard decision that will eternally benefit your children. I've done the same. It wasn't easy but I have NEVER regretted it.
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Are you using a specific diet, like the Feingold diet, to eliminate the dyes and preservatives from your diet or are you just doing it on your own?
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@kristin, I didn't even know there was a specific diet for it! We're just reading labels and trying to avoid things that way.
Good for you and your family! What a courageous decision. I prayed for you today after reading that post and though I enjoy your posts very much, I've never before prayed for you!
Rejoicing with you as you make an exciting transition. YOU are a blessing to so many!
.-= FishMama´s last blog ..Birthday Traditions To Make Your Child Smile =-.
Congratulations, Joy! I'm sure it was a very difficult decision to make, but, as someone who works several days a week right in that same time period, I understand what a difficult time it is.
.-= Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last blog ..Tools To Manage Your Online Time Better =-.
That would certainly be a LOT to juggle! I didn't realize you had been a piano teacher! I'm a classically trained pianist myself. I studied all the way up until my sophomore year of college and then I knew it was time to make a painful decision: continue to pursue this or move on. I was pouring hours a day into practicing, but realistically, I knew I wasn't cut out to make a career of performance. In my heart, I knew it was time to pursue other ambitions. Looking back, I know I made the right call. God had other things for my schooling and career.
But sometimes, on a rainy day…I'll get an itch to play a Rachmininoff Prelude or Chopin Waltz. Then the kids will run into the living room and I'll set down my music, let them crawl onto the bench with me and we'll play Old McDonald and Turkey in the Rye, singing at the top of our lungs. Perhaps there is a sweeter purpose than I ever imagined for taking all those years of piano lessons.
Blessings to you in your new season! May it be fulfilling!
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You and your family are making some positive changes! It's hard when you know you need to do something else — when something's got to give — but you have to choose between good things. But as Angela said, the piano will always grace your life.
.-= Ellen´s last blog ..She Is Too Fond of Books: More Books I've Read Lately =-.