My Goal

       For a very long time in my life I have been passionate about one specific dream.  That goal has been for me to become a very well-known guitarist from the Dominican Republic. The very first time I became interested in music was on my 14^th birthday when my parents had got me my very first guitar as my birthday present, it was a blue electric guitar with a very shiny hollow body. At first I had no idea how to play it or how to even tune a guitar, I had never played a musical instrument in my life. A few weeks after I had gotten my guitar my older cousin Lourdes had come over, after she had been away because she had been in college for a while. When she saw my guitar she asked me “if she could play it” I said “sure why not.” I had no idea my cousin already knew how to play the guitar. When I heard her sing and play I was really amazed and from that moment on I had made a promise and I set a goal for myself that someday I would play as good as my older cousin Lourdes did.

        Just as my cousin I shared the same goal to become a role model and influence for the next generation of Dominican musicians that would rise someday.  A year after I had learned to play my cousin had started her own band, which they use to preform around the area were we lived in. my cousin was the lead singer and guitarist of the group, later on I joined her group and began to play the rhythm guitar for her group.  As I saw her progress I got much more excited to excel even more in the guitar. I was not such a great singer but I shared the same love for music as my cousin did and was very passionate about becoming a great guitarist someday.  After I played various shows with my cousin in the six months that I was in the band, I decided that it was time for me to start my own group as the lead guitarist and progress on my own.  She was very happy for me and told me that she tough it was a great idea and that she looked forward till the day that I will surpass her. I told her the reason why I was leaving and I told her about my goal. My goal was to become one of the best known artists in our country and to open a free musical institute for those with talent or with just the desire to learn how to play a musical instrument in our country. This dream was very important to me because when I was growing up in the Dominican Republic I was one of those kids who wanted to play music but my parents couldn’t afford to buy me a guitar or pay for music lessons, and I want to change that for the next generation of children who would grow up with the same desire and difficulties. As me my cousin also shared that same dream she wanted to become a well-known artist and help those in our country peruse their dreams and become really talented singers and musicians.

     Just like any other goal in life I have had many difficulties along the way. One obstacle I have faced trying to peruse this dream has been managing my time, putting a lot of effort, dedication and commitment. One of the major obstacles I have had has been forming different groups all the time.  There are always differences within every person in a band and when we do not come to an understanding or agreements we fall apart. Every time a group falls apart and you form a new one with new people it becomes very difficult it slows you down because is like you have to start all the way from scratch again. After that you just have to teach others the material and it takes a very long time till you are able to perform again. Another obstacle that I have faced trying to accomplish this dream has been staying motivated. Every time a group is formed you become really close to the people you work with, it becomes really difficult when someone leaves or has to go their separate ways. After someone leaves it becomes very hard to find someone else to replace him and after a while if you don’t find someone to replace them quick the group is broken apart. When this happens you feel like giving up or as if all the time and effort you put into this was a waste of time.

    There many steps I have to take in order to achieve this goal. The very first step is to form a strong and stable group, with people that I know I am able to count on, trust and have a really good relationship with. The second step you have to take is making sure that your group gets recognition around the area witch you live in and to perform as much as you can. I have already taken the first step but now I want to take the next step which is to tour around the country with my group to gain more popularity and recognition around the country. By the end of this summer I am planning on playing in at least a minimum of 6 different states, which Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, Boston, Los Angeles, and Florida. Music is also not just about what you can do but the connections you have with people. When you either record or go on tour with a really successful artist or groups it becomes much easier because everyone starts to look for you to go and perform with them. It also becomes a lot easier to get signed by a record deal.

    I believe in order to achieve a goal or a dream you first have to give it a try, you and you have to be really committed, dedicated and have confidence that you can achieve it. I think there is not a single goal that is not obtainable I believe we just have to really want to accomplish it and be very determined to face the obstacles. There many times that people try to put us down or tell us that we make really high hopes for ourselves but if you really love something and you are passionate about it there is no obstacle that you cannot overcome to get there.