The holidays are fast approaching. These are the times when, if only for an hour or two, trouble is forgotten, hate is banished, and families unite.

But not everyone allows the blessedness of the holidays to immerse him or her. The more miserable people will sit in regret and complain about what might have been. One of Whittier’s most famous line sums it up: “For all the sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’”

We must remember that we cannot change the past but we can alter the future – only if we stop moping and get to the real sacrifices and the real work that produce results.

Few things are impossible. If you have not acquired a certain talent or skill in your youth, it may be difficult to make great progress in later years, but with the proper attitude, all things are possible.

It is true that the nerve, muscle and brain training in music during childhood facilitates later performance, but think of the thousands of musicians who had the best training available but never made use of it.

To believe that a person cannot advance technically after the age of 20 or 30 is absurd. If you feel that the technical barriers are too high, then remember that there are many musical channels in which to move ahead as fast as your energy and persistence will propel you.

The main thing is to get with it. Wipe yesterday from your mind as waves wipe the images from the sand. We only have today – in fact, we only have this moment, whether you are 18 or 80.

Happy holidays!