The composer who composed the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." (Hugh Martin) Got a little over halfway through it and then almost threw it away because he couldn't write anymore. He pushed it aside and forgot about it and it almost became a typical throw away project.
Ralph Blane (another composer) the man who was listening in said:
"You were working on something so pretty two days ago, what happened to it?"
So Martin went back and started working on it again and ended up completing more of it.
The song was used in the film "Meet me in st. Louis" with Judy Garland in 1944.
Judy Garland wanted to change the original lyrics because they were pretty dark and mournful and she didn't want to seem like the bad guy singing it to a child in the script.
Martin was going to write something completely different because he did not want to change what he already had.
Another composer shut him down and said if you made the song more immoral, it could be a huge Christmas hit and to trust Judy Garland's instincts because she knows what she's doing.
So I have two take aways from this little history lesson:
1) The next idea could change history. the next idea your friend or peers could have is a potential contribution to society.
We should always encourage each other to finish what we started and encourage each other to follow each other's dreams. Contribute to the pool of positivity instead of shutting each other down all the time.
If Blane had never encouraged Martin to finish the song, it would have never been anything but a throw away.
it wouldn't be a song that people still re-make, buy, and sing over a piano every Christmas season.
2) That great idea will most definitely need feedback and modification. One should always be humble and open to the opinions and ideas of others and they should also be open to feedback and change.
Collaborate instead of clash heads.
How can you be more encouraging and contributing today?
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