I just hadn’t learned how to play it yet

Sometimes I write a song that I think sucks.

But then a year or two later, after the tune has matured through time and repetition, I realize something.

I didn’t hate it, I just hadn’t learned how to play it yet.

Maybe the time signature was a shuffle, and it should have been a waltz. Or the tempo needed to slow down, so the lyrics could breathe better. Or the key was too high, and made my falsetto sound like a goat in heat.

Whatever the core issue was, it eventually resolved itself, the song found its center of gravity, and now I love it. Because the song became what it needed to become.

Now, this doesn’t happen for every song. Or even most songs. Sometimes, the music comes into this world fully formed with its artistic identity intact from day one. The cards are dealt fairly early, and it feels like the song has always been what it was.

But that’s the exception, not the rule. We should assume the thing needs to develop naturally, rather than being forced into a predetermined mold.

I call this phenomenon evolutionary appreciation. When something initially disliked can transform into something appreciated over time.

And what’s exciting is, it applies to experiences beyond the creative realm. Evolutionary appreciation has broad application throughout the song of life. It applies to people, not only products.

Similar to the way art matures through time and repetition, humans need their own time to integrate. Because they have a learning curve too. They’re on a trajectory. And it’s important that we trust that process. We have to be patient. To let them warm up to us, and vice versa.

Without this mindset, we will abandon relationships and opportunities prematurely. We will rob people of the chance to evolve, and rob ourselves of the benefit of their intrinsic value. All the while, thinking we hate the song, when in reality, we just haven’t learned how to play it yet.

Who do you need to give more time?