I read something yesterday that made me think. Referring to musicians it said:
If you practice you get better. If you get better you play with better players. If you play with better players you play better music. If you play better music you have more fun. If you have more fun you practice more. If you practice more…
I like the principle: each time you go round the circle you get better. It’s a loop of improvement. I can relate to being going round in circles and being loopy!
When I was younger and involved in sport the more I practiced, the fitter I became, the better I performed, the more I enjoyed it… It was a loop of improvement.
Throughout my teaching career I observed good teachers – good preparation… good lessons… happy, learning children… satisfied, positive parents … motivated, encouraged teachers who enjoy teaching so prepared more – the teaching loop of improvement.
I’m sure car mechanics, cooks, health-care professionals, pastors, parents, carpet-fitters, artists, historians, bird-watchers and preachers could each draw up their loops of improvement.
Looking forward to 2024, rather than thinking of New Year Resolutions, I’m reflecting on loops of improvement.
The physical may include eating well and healthily, exercising regularly, maintaining good sleep patterns, seeking or receiving appropriate medical help…
The social may include developing and maintaining relationships, practical caring, building friendships, intentional hospitality…
The spiritual may include patterns of prayer, meditation and reflection, regular reading, meeting with others of like mind and spirit, character development…
I often return to Paul’s words: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’
Thinking about these things is good. Paul then says, ‘Put it into practice’. Whether it’s truth, purity or excellence… think about it, do it, get better at it, enjoy it, allow it to become part of you, think about it more… develop a loop of improvement!
malcolmsmusings.org 
My guitar teacher said that if you practise you get better and if you don’t your playing wanes. There’s no standing still. I certainly know when I was waiting for a trapeziectomy on my left thumb in 2012 I wasn’t able to play for over a year. When I started playing again, I really struggled. Although, I have to say that it certainly improved my sight reading.
Also, I tell my grandchildren the same as I used to tell the kids I taught
“Life’s a bucket. You get out of it what you put into it”
Happy New Year to you and your family Malcolm
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I think your guitar teacher was right, Alan. Life’s a bucket, life’s a casserole, life’s a Christmas pudding…. wise old Grandad!
And a happy new year to you and your family too.
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I also need to hop onto a loop of improvement in 2024 and heed the Apostle Paul’s advice. Thank you for sharing his words in Philippians, Malcolm. 🙂
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Me too, Nancy! I think that chapter of Philippians is one that I go back to most often!
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I just hiked my 10-block loop, first of the day. Hope to do another one. Four years ago I could barely walk one block and home. I’m so thankful to be able to do the 10 blocks (with a hill coming home, either way I start out) easier than before. #aginggratefully
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Sounds like a significant loop of improvement to me, Joy – well done!
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I like the idea of a loop of improvement. It makes sense.
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Thanks, Kymber – It did to me too! Now the challenge is to put it into practice!
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