The author writes that she felt that she’d mastered English and music, only to realize later in life that she wasn’t as accomplished as she’d believed. Have you ever experienced a similar awakening?

The author writes that she felt, foolishly, that she’d mastered English and music, based on very limited abilities, only to realize later in life that she wasn’t as accomplished as she’d believed. Have you ever experienced a similar awakening?

I am reminded of the quote that the more you know, the more you know you need to learn, (slightly paraphrased). There is so much richness in music and literature that it is impossible to be able to sample more than just a fraction of it, only the young or arrogant feel like they have mastered a subject.

Oh god, the hubris of youth. Of course! Sometimes I cringe thinking about my lack of self awareness and understanding. I guess this is the path that many youth follow but awkward in reliving. In some ways, that is the beauty of mastery - that there is always more growth ahead, more to learn, more to master, more to teach.

As an avid reader over the course of my life, it is apparent to me everyday that there is much I do not know about a lot of things. The fact is that we continue to learn everyday throughout our lives. I think this knowledge compels me to keep on learning and reading and absorbing all that I can about whatever subject is at hand.

No because I’ve never felt that I’ve mastered anything. There will always be someone bigger and better. I think I have talents and skills and appreciate I still have a lot to learn.

Absolutely - I feel the same as the posts from other readers. There is always so much more to learn in every aspect of life, both intellectually and emotionally. And as I get older, I realize just how much I don't know and my thirst for knowledge continues to grow.

I also agree with all the other posts. We should always be in a state of learning.

Yes with music. Took piano lessons for almost 12 years growing up but never worked hard at it. Still try but don’t have “the touch” but for enjoyment

I believe that Quiara first came to realize this when she had a difficult time answering the question, "do you believe in God?" Less than a mastery of skills, I saw her experience here as having more to do with not being able to articulate what specifically she wanted to say or how she felt. And NOT because she didn't have the words persay, but because there were never the kind of questions she asked herself. Answering a question like this- -really a loaded question-- requires trusting the people who are asking it, maybe just maybe because you aren't 100% trusting of yourself at this point.

What is the most important part of this whole realization to me is that Quiara used it to learn how to say what she meant, through her music and her writing (which she also had to explore over and over again in order to become the kind of writer she wanted to become). I also appreciate that Quiara never backed away from learning more on a topic that was meaningful to her. How many soundtracks did she dub??? What if upon hearing "you just don't have what it takes" from the record producer, Quiara would have abandoned her love of music? She didn't let her failures or disappointments divert her from her goals. She continued to learn and adapted.