Standards

 A Standard, as a noun, is an idea or a thing used as a measure, norm or model in comparative evaluations. In the musical world there are plenty of standards given by which to grade yourself, your students, your colleagues, etc.  There is musicality, technique, artistry, interpretation, accuracy and more.  The positives of having standards is to see yourself progress or your students progress, they help you in setting goals and knowing when your have achieved them.  Often we are hardest on ourselves and have a limited vision on our own progress and these measured standards will help build confidence.  Standards can help us focus on what is most important, too.  Some musicians work diligently on their ability to play with speed and leave the musicality out.  Fast music without feeling and phrasing, etc. is not enjoyable to listen to at all.  Some musicians are self-taught and lack the proper technique that makes the music flow.  You get my point?  Others can let standards be so all consuming that the rules take over and the enjoyment can be lost or diminished.  I like how music is graded into levels so that the standards for Level 1 have been set for the age group or playing level of a new beginner.  That way the musician can have enjoyment according to their level and their practicing.

I was visiting with my husband, Stan, about the Standards set in his job.  He is an IT guy, Project Manager, and now in a group in charge of setting new standards to be able to meet Federal Government standards in banking for the whole corporation.  The government has these "standards" that need to be met so that the company and the government know that they are in compliance with the law.  It keeps everyone honest, running smoothly and on equal footing in that industry as well as fair to their customers.  As he was explaining this, I thought "hey, this sounds like keeping the commandments of God!"  God has standards (law/commandments) set so that we can be happiest as well as successful, and so we can know that we are happy and successful.   The laws of God are measurements, incentives, goals, markers of progress and rewards in our lives.  They are not punishments or restrictions by enablers to choose good over our natural tendencies.

Standards also bring up the issue of change.  Stan was commenting that he comes across resistance to the changes being asked of the different departments that now have to use the new standards issued.  Change is  often uncomfortable.    In teaching my music students,  I often hear discouraging sounds when we start a new piece or a new standard is being implemented.  So we get to work breaking it down into understandable or workable pieces and then put it together.  Usually a little more practice is required and more focus on trouble spots instead of replaying the favorite already learned sections over and over.  Students must learn to "look ahead"  see what is coming and plan for it or the surprises causes errors and frustration (for both teacher and student).  

Quilting has standards, too.  We use a 1/4 inch seam allowance; if not, then the blocks will not fit together properly and it will be very frustrating.  In order to make a block of a certain size, the pieces must also be cut out in proper measurement in pattern or it will not fit together properly.  Life is like this, marriage is like this, integrity is like this, etc.  There must be standards in life so that harmony can prevail.  

The 2020 summer experience of riots, anarchy and disruption was just awful wasn't it?  The Declaration of Independence states that:  We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed....  Because the standards stated in the Declaration of Independence have been disregarded by too many for too long, groups such as Black Lives Matter, Antifa  and others have sought to cause  change by force and destruction instead of my the vote of the people.  Many have been made to suffer by those who selfishly and pridefully disregard the standard for 'certain unalienable Rights.' 

In summary, standards kept to in both music and quilting bring beautiful results.  Standards for decency and respect for how we treat each other are necessary for our Life, Liberty and pursuit of Happiness.  God’s standards bring peace, happiness and success in our lives, our families and our world.