Sergei Rachmaninoff was a young Russian music composer. He successfully invested a lot of time in his career and it thrived. In 1900, he became depressed because of the disastrous 1987 premiere of his First Symphony. He felt that all the time he had spent building his career had been irredeemably wasted. Next, he suffered a psychological breakdown that put his career on hold for three years. He questioned his musical talents and almost gave up. A lot of time and effort was spent for him to get to that height yet, he suffered setbacks.
He later decided to seek the help of a therapist, Nikolia Dahl who came to his rescue. Rachmaninoff visited Nikolia every day for four months. The therapist encouraged him to build back his confidence by repeating positive mantras. He reassured him that time may have been wasted but not withered.
With time, Rachmaninoff began to write again. In 1901, he performed his Second Piano Concerto which became a global success. Not only that, it’s now considered the most beautiful piece of music ever composed. In honour of Nikolia’s great contribution, Rachmaninoff dedicated the concerto to Nikolia whose invested time and professional input saw him through.
Today, it is in history how Rachmaninoff, through the assistance of Nikolia, never gave up on time even when it seems it was wasted. Through investing and reinvesting in time, he was able to make an extraordinary contribution to the world of classical music and to the listening pleasure of millions of people. His story is a testament to time, how it is spent, when it is wasted, and how it should be invested or reinvested.
We human beings are born with great potential. Most times, we invest a lot to build these potentials to enviable heights. For one reason or the other, maybe our mistakes or circumstances beyond our control, we may lose focus and watch what we have built so far waste. This is applicable not just in career but in other aspects of life; relationship, marriage, education and so on.
The question is, how long does it take us to give room for a second chance? Do we dwell on our mistakes and allow the time invested so far to waste forever? Like Rachmaninoff, do we have or seek a Nikolia to hold our hands and push forward? Because time ticks no matter what we make of it, it is pertinent that we realize how important it is for us not to waste so much of it waiting, regretting and blaming people. It took Rachmaninoff 3 years to realize this and he was able to reinvest time and push through.
Leo Tolstoy was right in saying that time and patience are his two most powerful warriors. Pursuing a goal without considering the importance of time is a risk and a blunder because time when lost can never be restored.
Time is priceless. We can use it but can’t own it. We can spend it but can’t keep it. When it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Just as time goes forward and never static or backward, we are meant to pursue our goals and aspirations with a forward-ever mindset and positive attitude.
I dedicate this essay to any Nikolia who has helped or supported a Rachmaninoff in defeating time and prevailing in odd circumstances. To my super supportive friend and sister Uju Okonkwo, thank you a million times for being more than a Nikolia to me.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu.
