"It's too late for me -- I'm already six years old."

I used to teach music lessons on the campus of an elite private school. The kids and their parents were an intense and driven bunch. They were heavily invested in achieving and getting things right.

I had been working with a little boy for a few months. One day, he was struggling with a piece (or so he thought). In my opinion, he was progressing nicely, but it wasn’t fast enough for him.

At one point, he exclaimed, “I’m already six years old! It’s too late! I’m so behind, and I’m never going to get this!”

This was a sentiment I had heard many times from adult students. Coming from a fifty-year-old with a demanding job and family obligations, it had a veneer of validity. I had often had a similar thought myself, as I compared my career to those of the people I aspired to be like.

However, hearing the same exact words from a small child caused me to question my beliefs. His words confirmed for me that the concern about running out of time and falling behind is driven by fear, not reality.

I began to wonder what would happen if I decided that, no matter what, there’s enough time — for me and for my students.

Many fears and obstacles arose. What if the parents think their kids aren’t moving fast enough? What if I stop pushing as hard toward my own goals and then don’t reach them as a result? What if there isn’t enough time, and I lose?

On the other hand, I began to discover a new gentleness and compassion for myself and for others. I found myself with more patience and curiosity, and less resentment and fear. With each music lesson I taught and each task I undertook, I was more mindful and aware.

Not every student of mine has become an accomplished musician. And no, I haven’t achieved every goal I've set out to achieve, either.

But there’s still time. And in the meantime, I have come to measure success differently.

It’s not about achieving a certain thing by a certain date or a certain age.

It’s really about the moments we experience on the way there — the moments where we’re fully present and engaged in whatever we’re doing.

Success is found in the moments where we forget time even exists.