A Musical Model of Success

One of my favourite performers of all time was the cellist Jacqueline DuPre. According to recording technician Suvi Raj Grubb, Jacqueline was "adored" by fellow performers and recording technicians as "the ideal recording artist, undemanding of other peoples problems and no outbursts of what is called 'temperament'". Technicians would jump to her aid before she even asked. "In the world of music" wrote Grubb, "it is rare for someone to be so universally liked and admired." “
In 1967 she married pianist Daniel Barenboim. TIME magazine wrote, "Thus began one of the most remarkable relationships, personal as well as professional, that music has known since the days of Clara and Robert Schumann." Their marriage led to some fruitful collaboration, evidenced in many recordings with Barenboim as pianist or conductor. Some of the greatest recordings ever made of Beethoven’s Piano Trio's are with her husband.
Then an inexplicable tingling affected her fingers and a 'general malaise' drained her energy. No one could explain it. Concerts and recording projects had to be cancelled.
For six months DuPre had not even touched her Cello and then Producer Suji Rav Grubb received a call from Barenboim in early December 1971. DuPre suddenly wanted to play and so Barenboim asked if studio one at Abbey Road was available on December 10 and 11. She then picked up her Cello and played as if there had been "no interval since she last played". After playing Cello sonatas of Chopin and Frank, arrangements were made to record these works and time was assigned over the next two days. They were recorded "superbly as always" (Grubb).
She then decided to record Beethoven’s sonatas. Grubb and Barenboim had noted her fatigue and looked concerned. The sonata Op. 5, No. 1 was recorded.
"At the end of it she placed her cello back in its case with: 'That is that', and did not even want to listen to what we had taped." She never appeared in a recording studio again. It seems to me, a complete and inner tranquility allowing her acceptance of the end of her short 6-year career of "spontaneous, unaffected, joyous music making" (Grubb).
Later, in 1973 her condition was officially diagnosed as Multiple sclerosis.
What Jacqueline DuPre so special? How does this relate to the pursuit of success?

So her talent and her physical strength combined synergistically.
Obviously, DuPre had talent – and lots of it, she had an instinctive feel for the emotional content of the music she played.
Her tall well-built physique made possible the strength to coax the most gentle, sonorous and delicate shades and tones. Suvi Raj Grubb wrote “ones immediate impression was that the cello was an extension of herself.”

Dupre was a team player and her inner tranquility seemed to draw people to her and inspire creativity
DuPre was an unselfish player, in no way the sophisticate artiste. In small chamber ensembles she exchanged encouragement. As I wrote above she was a delight in the recording studio as well.
People wanted to work with her.
No doubt that brought out the best in her music and in the studios technical excellence.

Perhaps most of all, she loved her music.
Suvi Raj Grubb visited her and Daniel Barenboim’s home yet never found her practicing scales.
She was playing music, with all its passion and skill. Grubb was unable to explain how she could then be a master performer.

सो I look at these 3 points:

How can I combine your great talents and the gifts God has given me?
Do an honest inventory; look at the many gifts so readily overlooked.
I’m only a pensioner, or someone else, I'm only a housewife.

Wallace Wattles in The Science of Getting Rich points out that tack of resources is never the reason a person does not succeed.
Anyone familiar with the success movement from Wattles’ time will constantly be reminded that thoughts are things.
So what are your gifts? Do you know? Are you stuck after the first few (Don’t worry been there myself).
If we begin our day listing reasons for gratitude in our life suddenly our list of perceived assets seems to grow.
Our viewpoint on who we are and what we can achieve will also expand.

Are You A Team Player? Are You at Peace?
The most successful people are at peace with themselves. Being at peace with themselves draws the people you need to you.
Thoughts are things.
Angry thoughts draw angry people. Loving thoughts, loving people.
A tranquil soul can gently caress the inner harmony within.

Finally, are you in love with your purpose? What is your passion?
Feed it, thrive on it, let the spontaneous creativity within you grow. Take every opportunity to live and share it.
Do you know what it is? As you daily review the many reasons of gratitude in your life perhaps a common theme will reveal the secret yearnings of your heart.
Recently I found an old dream list and could not help notice how similar it was to one only written out a few weeks ago.

So there are my thoughts - thoughts of a musical model of success.
She is perhaps also a model of achievement in many other areas of life.