A few years ago, my wife and I did something I thought I would never do: go to a Kenny G. concert. Kenny G is a world-renowned saxophone player. He is one of a very select group in the world that can carry an entire concert with a saxophone. He has a band that plays with him, but he and his Saxophone are the featured performers when he plays.

I was not really interested in Kenny G, but my wife and I thought my son might be. My son had been playing the saxophone in the school band for a few years so we bought tickets to go with him to see Kenny G. Something fascinating happened at the concert. My son sat waiting for the concert to begin and he had low expectations. When the concert began he was blown away. He could not believe how good Kenny G. was with his instrument. He was masterful. During nearly every song, my son would steal my phone and video or he would say, “Dad, video this song.”

After the concert my son got his picture taken with Kenny G. Today, if you mention the name Kenny G, my son’s face will light up because that was a powerful evening for my son. I will submit that the Kenny G tickets were some of the best tickets I’ve ever bought because I learned and saw something wonderful that night. Watching Kenny G play inspired my son to want to be a better saxophone player. The spirit of the music, the majesty of his talent was inspiring to a young man who understood what it takes to be a great saxophone player. The concert took place about two years ago and my son’s desires and his efforts to become better have not wavered or ceased. Playing the saxophone has blessed my son in many ways. On a winter evening at an Arizona concert hall, I watched my son be inspired and nourished by someone who had mastered their craft.

I grew up with a young man named Robbie. We lived in the same neighborhood for many years. We went to the same grade school and eventually the same high school for a time. Robbie and I played golf at the same golf course occasionally, and I was a much better player than him during our elementary school years. I could beat him easily. When we hit high school, Robbie had a greater desire than I to improve his golf game. His desires greatly exceeded mine in this area. I focused more energy on other sports. Robbie in time eventually worked at the local golf course which enabled him to play frequently and get frequent instruction. The last time I saw Robbie play golf his skills were incredible. His golf game was significantly better than mine and he was a top-caliber high school player. I am not trying to make a comparison as much as to note how drastic his improvement was because he had focused his efforts and desires on the sport of golf.