Yom Kippur starts at sundown this evening. And it probably doesn't hurt for those of us who aren't Jewish to do a little bit of reflection ourselves. (Don't worry - you can do this again at the end of the calendar year, if you like.)
Here's the thought I came across:
Unrealistic expectations are premeditated resentments.
How often do we set ourselves up to be dissatisfied - with our performances, with our friends and family, with other musicians, with the clerk at the store?
Maybe I'll just try being pleased at what I get done, at how things sound right now, with all the kindness people show me. Not that I won't strive to improve my own work (not improving others).
Maybe I'll be grateful. To God and to everyone else. And maybe my happiness will be contagious.