Nick, a handsome man who has a beautiful outlook on life, helped me smooth an anxious moment yesterday without realizing it. Several months ago, we shared lunch at a picnic table during a ride. He said he had a B or B+ personality. Why stress about being the A+ person when the added stress to achieve it, whatever it is, is not worth it. For some, the added pushing causes anxiety and panic. It really matters how a person pushes and where she can find more of whatever, from the nooks and crannies, with the least amount of effort from the pushee.

Others likely view me as that A+ personality because I push, push, push myself. Perhaps therein lies the difference. I like to push myself, and it takes a special pusher to push me. Over time, trustworthy music teachers and conductors are worthy pushers.

That said, how many elements of life need to be a boot camp?