It almost sounds like a line from some country music song, except for the bit about jazz – and except for the fact that it’s not a line from a song at all. It’s my life.
It was an incredibly tough decision for me. For years I ate, drank and lived jazz, but I gave up immersing myself in that life to pursue a life in another drastically different (but no less promising) profession. Actually, economics promised to be decidedly more advantageous. After a long, difficult and brutally honest chat with myself, I concluded that I didn’t think I had enough natural talent to be a jazz musician. I didn't think I could make a life out of it let alone a living.
Making a life and making a living
Some would argue that there is a difference between making a life and making a living, and for these people, this may be true. However, I believe if you love what you do, there doesn’t have to be a distinction. I’m fortunate here. I loved playing the sax. I also love being an economist. I can’t deny that I gave up a life in jazz, but I don’t think I gave in to live a lesser life.
I still have my saxophone in my closet at home, and I sometimes think about what my life might have been like if I’d followed that road. This said, entertaining the hypothetical is human nature. If I’d decided to be a jazz musician, I’m sure I would have wondered what my life would have been like if I’d been an economist. Moreover, I don’t believe I’ve had to sacrifice one love for another. My life is busy and fulfilling. When it quiets down a bit, I’m sure I’ll dust off the saxophone and bust out some of my favourites, but for now, I've set my sights on helping to build the best future for Kingston.