I'd been actively pushing myself hard in practice, learning songs, taking chances improvising, etc. I'd gotten into one of those funks I'm sure all beginners go through where I didn't think I was improving fast enough and started to moan and wine a little too much about it. In conversation with local guitarist I consider to be an exceptional player my self defeating attitude carried into the discussion. I won't get into the details of the full conversation but basically the jist of what he told me was, "I've been playing hard and non-stop for 12 years to get to where I am in my craft. Who the hell do you think you are being upset after 16 months that you can't play like I do".
It was a profound comment for me, which I'll remember for the rest of my playing days. I didn't take it personally because it was directed in a general way. Of course he was absolutely right and now I just play and practice and play and practice.
