Alcoholics Anonymous gets a bad rap.
It's made fun of in movies.
There's a stigma associated with being in it.
But it's a shining example of the power of community.
Alcoholics Anonymous helps so many people for one reason: Alcoholics can only be understood by other alcoholics.
The struggles they face. The challenges. And even the victories.
That community can understand their struggles and provide the support in ways a non-alcoholic never could.
When we struggle with anything - starting a business, getting in shape, continuing our kids in piano - there's always that resistance in our minds.
That part that says, "Let's just stop. We were doing fine before."
Often referred to as the resistance, this part of you will find every reason to stop doing the things you know you need to do.
And it hates community.
Which is why you should find yours.
I'm writing this blog post from the Music Teachers National Association annual conference in Reno, Nevada - a gathering of hundreds of music teachers from all over North America.
There are amazing sessions. We all learn new things from one another and bring things back to our own teaching when it's over.
But that's not why there's a conference. If it were only about learning, you could just put that online.
It's the power of community that makes a conference like this special. Being together in one place to celebrate what we do, even if only once a year.
It's the same with parents - If you're a parent grappling with the decision whether to continue piano or not, find a community of parents.
Even if it's just a community of two - you and another piano parent.
You don't have to work on it alone. In fact, you shouldn't.
Because even with our own projects and challenges, we work stronger together.
