Photo by evelyn dorey on Unsplash
He hated being forced by his parents to take piano lessons. But after a life-altering tragedy left him without fingers, those same lessons became the pathway to hope, creativity, and discovering what was still possible. This story will challenge you to rethink adversity – and see how curiosity and resilience can open doors where none seem to exist.
I’m Mindy Peterson, host of Enhance Life with Music podcast, where we explore the ways music transforms everyday life. And this is Microhance, a micro-dose of musical enhancement.
Were you ever forced by your parents to take piano lessons as a kid? I recently read the most remarkable account I’ve ever heard of someone who was forced to take piano lessons, absolutely hated them… and then had those same lessons completely change the trajectory of his life. And no, this person did not go into music vocationally.
I’m talking about John O’Leary, author of the books, In Awe and On Fire. As a kid, John dreaded piano lessons. Tuesday afternoons were, in his words, the worst part of his week. While his siblings didn’t love them, he hated them. He didn’t want to play piano, he wanted to play baseball.
At age nine, everything in his – and his family’s – world changed. A tragic accident left him burned over 100% of his body. His parents were told there was no chance of survival. But miraculously, he did survive. The pain and lifelong impact was unimaginable. There were countless skin grafts and surgeries, including the amputation of what was left of his fingers, just above the bottom knuckles. All those things he once took for granted – holding a baseball, tying his shoes, someday holding the hand of his wife – were gone.
And ironically, one small “silver lining” crossed his mind: At least I’ll never have to take piano lessons again.
But then, something unexpected happened. His piano teacher showed up. And his mom gently insisted: lessons would continue. Nine-year-old John was flabbergasted. It seemed ridiculous, impossible. But begrudgingly, painfully, lessons resumed. First with a pencil strapped to his hand. Eventually, using the tips of his knuckles… rolling his palms… new ways to press keys and create chords were invented. Note by note, he relearned the instrument.
But here’s what’s so powerful about this story: Those lessons were never really about music. They were about possibility. They were about refusing to let “what is” define “what could be.” As John reflected later, his mother and teacher weren’t trying to make him a pianist. They were teaching him something far more important: “[T]his fire may have robbed you of your fingers. But it did not take your life! You will not act as if it has. You possess the power to do what today seems impossible. You will confront hurdles in your life. You will face difficulties. You will need to come up with innovative ways to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Things will be different than we had planned. But in time, things will be better than you can even imagine.”
And that’s really what I took from John’s books. Yes, he talks about wonder and awe. But it’s not passive. It’s active. It’s curiosity and creativity. It’s the decision to ask: What’s still possible here? Even when everything looks hopeless; even when the odds say otherwise.
John puts it this way: We all have moments when it feels like we’re being asked to “play the piano without fingers.” So what do we do? Do we walk away from the piano? Or do we find a new way to create our song?
Years later, John would sit at a piano and play Amazing Grace in front of thousands of people. Not as a concert pianist but as a tool in sharing his story and message and encouraging others. Those mandatory piano lessons produced a gift John came to love. He and his wife now have a piano in their home that he plays to relax after a long day, spark creativity, or enjoy jam sessions with his kids.
By embracing the challenges of his life, he was launched by them. His life became a living example of resilience, creativity, and hope. There’s a line from On Fire that really captures this: “Whether your life becomes a story to celebrate or a tragedy to mourn has less to do with what happens to you – and everything to do with how you respond.”
And that’s the invitation for all of us. To find gratitude in the middle of pain. To stay curious when things don’t make sense. To create, adapt, and move forward – even when the path looks completely different than we imagined. Because sometimes, the very thing we resist… becomes the thing that transforms us. And maybe – just maybe – the “piano lessons” in your life aren’t obstacles after all. They’re a launching pad.
This week, when you face something that feels impossible, don’t walk away from the piano – find a new way to play your song.
I’m Mindy Peterson, and I hope this inspires you to enhance your life with music.
In-Episode Promo
MUD/WTR: I was never a coffee drinker until about 3 years ago, after my sister coaxed me into trying espresso. I have to admit, I loved that caffeine boost and the strong flavor of espresso! But I saw that people who drank it every day didn’t even feel that caffeine boost anymore – and they felt horrible and got headaches if they DIDN’T have their morning caffeine. So I let myself have espresso a few days a week, and went in search of a morning beverage for the rest of the days – something that would still boost my mental clarity and energy. I was thrilled when I discovered MUD/WTR – it was created by an artist and dad who used to be addicted to coffee. He started to blend mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps, resihi, and chaga with super foods and spices. I’ve become a huge fan of the “Original Masala Chai,” a blend that supports gut health and immune function along with energy and focus. Try it yourself – and get 20% off your first order – at mudwtr.com/ENHANCELIFE.
If you enjoyed this episode, please:
- Follow us in your podcast app: This is FREE and conveniently delivers each new episode to your device when it releases, so you don’t have to search for it.
- Share us with others: If you know of someone who would enjoy this episode, please share it with them! It’s easy to do right in your podcast listening app. Just tap the Share feature for options to share by text, email, or social media (or share this page).
- Rate & review our show: This fuels our creative energy, and also helps others find the show!
View all Microhance episodes
Note: We occasionally use affiliate links for products and services we whole-heartedly believe in. We may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for purchases made through these links. This helps support the free content we provide.