Practical Tips for Peaceful Living - Vol VI (Oct 17 thru Jan 18)

“As we gather here to mourn the passing of this noble sound, we should take the pains to
remember something. There are some of us who don‟t accept the dreams of dragons as their
own, no matter how grand those dragons might say they are. Yes, there are some who will
refuse to drop the candle even when pushed into a dark cave and locked there behind a stone
... There is, you must recall, a kind of serious study that will give you the confidence to strike
your match to the mighty wick that will illuminate yet another portion of the darkness. Out
there somewhere are the kind of people who do not accept the premature autopsy of a noble
art form. These are the ones who follow in the footsteps of the gifted and the disciplined --
who have been deeply hurt, but not discouraged; who have been frightened, but have not
forgotten how to be brave; who revel in the company of their friends and sweethearts, but are
willing to face the loneliness that is demanded of mastery ... You have to beware of premature
autopsies. A noble sound might not lie still in the dark cave where the dragons have taken it.
A noble sound might just rise up and push away the stones that were placed in its path. A
noble sound might just rise up on the high side of the sky, it might just ring the silver bells of
musical light that tear through the cloak of the dragon‟s shadow that blacks the sun. ... A
noble sound is a mighty thing.” ~ Stanley Crouch
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