Today, what did you do to have a good day? What did you do to have a better day? What did you do to have the best day? For some it is an opportunity of free will and choice. For others it remains a hope and a dream.

Have you ever experienced the serendipity of someone in your moment of need appearing to support and assist you? What you may find even more rewarding is when you are that person giving. A continuous cycle of life, what goes around comes around.

A little story of kindness experienced by a young musician. I will take the liberty to do a little name dropping. I’ve had great teachers who shared their wisdom. Gordon Sweeney (38 yrs. Principal Trombone, Toronto Symphony Orchestra) asked me, “Can you play one note and bring a tear to my eye?” Then he said, “Go to Chicago and study with the legendary brass section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, (CSO).” Gordon continued, “Afterwards take some auditions and get a gig.”

Off to Chicago to play an audition for Northwestern University. Three members of the CSO brass section composed the audition committee. Vincent Cichowcz (Trumpet), Dale Clevenger (French Horn) & Frank Crisafulli, “Mr. C” (Trombone). They gave me the thumbs-up. Success, except for a little issue of payment being from Canada.

Mr. Crisafulli was gracious with his compliments and we talked. I explained my finances, and then Mr. C offered a gift of a life-time. He said when I saved up enough money, he would teach me for free as long as I could pay to stay.

What a wonderful experience. I would go to his home for 7:30 a.m., have breakfast his wife Dorothy had prepared and then a lesson before Mr. C. went to work. After almost four months I was living off instant Cup-of-Soup in boiling water. It was time to go home. My gift to Mr. C. was a beautiful silver engraved antique trombone. Mr. Crisafulli’s parting words of wisdom, “Join an orchestra & see the world.” Our paths would cross again in Hong Kong.

A few years later I was playing bass trombone with the Hong Kong Philharmonic. One year during the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was one of the invited guests. I went to their hotel and called Mr. C’s room. That wonderful warm and jolly voice answered. I said, “Mr. Crisafulli you told me to join an orchestra so I’m playing with the HK Phil and I’m in the lobby.” He came downstairs and it was that instant connection without any passage of time.

Mr. C was a legendary performer (52 yrs. CSO) and created a legacy as a gifted teacher/mentor. Even with jet-lag he offered to do an impromptu masterclass for our students. His warm presence and smile added to the kind, encouraging feedback he offered students. Then Mr. C says to me and my two colleagues, “We should play something for the students. Do you have the Bozza?” (Bozza – 3 pieces – 4 trombones) “Let’s play the first piece.” 

We answered “Yes”??? Just hearing the name “Bozza” on a Saturday morning after playing a concert the night before perked us up. All three of us had played it. Luckily I had performed it live across Canada along with a recording. It was a magical moment of flow when four played as one. A total “Wow” moment for the audience.

The global event of 2020 allowed an opportunity to make virtual connections with people around the world. Teachers in Indonesia contacted me requesting a training. They wanted to share Brain Fitness with their students. I agreed to teach until they felt competent and confident. When asked about the price, I said $25.00 CDN. They responded it was fair for the complete training. I clarified that the price was per webinar. The maximum they could afford was $150 CDN. I asked, “What does $25 CDN buy you in Indonesia?” They said it bought them a month of groceries. The investment was 6 months of their food budget. I completed the training even though it was 3 X’s longer than I anticipated. Instead of a 1-hour webinar, it was 3-hours every Saturday morning for 2.5 months. I honoured my commitment and Paid It Forward, for the wellness and education of future generations of children in Indonesia.

Many times working with young people who are financially challenged, I provide my services at no fee. They ask me, “Why are you doing this for me?” I smile remembering Mr. Crisafulli and say, “Because someone once did it for me.” My only request of them is that one day in their future, Pay It Forward as an Act of Kindness.

Do you want a Good Day?
Take the Brain Fitness Wellness Webinar.

Do you want a Better Day?
Have fun using Brain Fitness Tools, Tips & Techniques.

Do you want the Best Day?
Pay It Forward as an Act of Kindness & share BFI with someone.

What are you doing tomorrow?