Art Tatum was blind in one eye and could only partly see from the other. He taught himself to play the piano using Braille, piano rolls, and listening to the radio and record player. He imitated, he copied, and he improved.

That’s where he began. Where he ended up proves what you can do by eliminating your self-imposed limits.

Here’s the really amazing part – Art didn’t know he was sometimes listening to two people playing the piano. When he practiced, he learned to play two parts of the same song at once! He learned it so well that years later, Oscar Peterson heard Art playing and thought Art was two people.

Art starred in nightclubs through New York City, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles and national radio. He created his own original and creative style that made great musicians shake their heads in awe and bow with respect. He was so good that, over a two-day session, he cut 69 singles tracks – and only three needed to be done more than once.

Limits – mostly false ones – can defeat us before we even start. Do you feel handicapped in some way? Each of us is aware of our failures and inabilities. Could your goals benefit from us placing a little less emphasis on our limitations and little more faith in our dreams? Do we help our children dream big dreams?

Cheers to a boy who didn’t know any better.

Cheers to a man who didn’t let a little thing like reality stand in his way.

Cheers to a self-taught musician whose creativity and skill makes a legend.

Cheers to Art Tatum, maybe the greatest jazz piano player who ever lived.

God created us in His image.  Is anything too big, to impossible, to creative for God? He can help us be more – do more – dream more? When our children come to us defeated, let’s console them but also turn their attention to their gifts, their abilities. Let’s encourage our children. Let’s help them find an activity where they will succeed. Let’s put a smile back on the faces of our children. Let’s watch them straighten their backs and feel good about themselves. They will succeed. How about encouraging our spouses today too. Let’s promise not to expose the mistakes but the celebrate the victories. Let’s not limit ourselves or our children.

None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.