Realizations on Guitar Repair

Last monday this week, natapos ko nang ayusin ‘yong gitara ko! Actually sa tita ko talaga ‘yon pero nandito sa bahay namin. Standard Arena guitar: ‘yon bang madalas dala-dala ng mga estudiyante tuwing papasok sa eskuwela para may magamit pang-jamming kapag walang klase. Simple lang, mura, at walang pick-up pero high value.

What I repaired sa gitarang ‘yon ay ‘yong pintura niya sa harap at likod. I also changed the bridge from the stock bridge to that kind of bridge na mayroong bridge pin. ‘Yong lumang model kasi ng Arena guitar, hindi bridge na may bridge pin ‘yong gamit. Rather that other kind of bridge kung saan ipinapasok lang ‘yong string and you’re good to go. The downside is this: kapag naputulan ka ng string, ang hirap magtanggal at magpalit. Really, the struggle is real. I changed the bridge kasi sira na rin naman talaga. Ginawa’n na lang ‘yon ng paraan ni tito gamit epoxy para magamit pa. But I decided to change it to a much better bridge. I changed the tuning peg as well; ‘yong iniikot para maitono ‘yong strings, ‘yon ang tuning pegs.

The whole process of repairing and changing things on my guitar took a lot of time. Ang daming ginawa at ang tagal ng oras na ginugol. Ako pa naman ‘yong tipo ng tao na walang mahabang pasensiya, mainipin, at laging nagmamadali. Kaso nga lang, wala akong magawa dahil gusto kong maging maganda ‘yong kakalabasan ng repair. I may not achieve the perfect result, I want to settle with the best. Wala akong nagawa: I waited.

While waiting for the whole repair to finish, I was reminded of the phrase; “beauty of waiting.” I slowed down and intentionally looked at the beauty of the moment, the process, and the wait. These realizations came to me:

• The Lord, our Creator, takes His time to make the best, if not perfect, in or out of or for us. Habang ginagawa ko ‘yong gitara, ang nasa isip ko: gusto kong maging maganda ‘yong kalalabasan. In order to make the best, I have to really take my time in order to get there and produce what I want. Same as with God. Siya ‘yong Creator natin at mayroon Siyang magandang plano, perpektong plano sa akin, sa iyo, at sa ating lahat. And that plan takes time for the Lord to accomplish. I’m not saying na mabagal si Lord. What I’m trying to say is God has great attention to detail, God is careful in His plan and design, and God is perfect kaya gusto Niya rin ‘yong perfect para sa atin. Remember: perfection does not come easily.
• Good things does not happen overnight. Lahat ng magandang bagay, may proseso. Lahat ng magandang bagay, pinaghihirapan. Lahat ng magandang bagay, hinintay. Hindi ko natapos agad-agad ‘yong gitara. Sabi ko nga, it took a lot of time. At hindi lang time kundi pati energy. If we really want good things; let’s learn to be patient, let’s learn to wait, and let’s learn to strive for it. Alalahanin natin, hindi nakukuha sa mabilisan at madalian ang best. I wanted the best guitar and it did not happen overnight. In fact, it took a lot of nights and days na rin siyempre.
• Process is more important than the product. Oo, gusto ko ng magandang outcome. Pero hindi ko magagawa ‘yon kung hindi ako dadaan sa tamang proseso. Therefore, I need to secure that I perform the right process. Not only that but I should also secure that I will do the right process at the right pace and timing. Hindi dapat minamadali. I remember the time na naglagay ako ng second coat ng sanding sealer. Sa kagustuhan kong matapos agad-agad (which did not actually happen kasi sobrang tagal talaga), I allowed the coat to dry for two hours more or less. Dahil doon, may naliha akong mga parteng basa pa. Lesson learned: allow the coat to dry completely. If it requires a whole night to dry, do it. Rest assured, it is worth it. Pero seryoso, ‘wag magmadali (I’m talking to you as well with myself here). Take your time. Easy ka lang bro. Chill ka lang. Hintayin mo lang. Sigurado akong sulit ang paghihintay kapag dumating (or natapos).

I hope these reflections and realizations helped you somehow. Gusto ko lang ishare ‘yong mga natutunan ko sa pag-aayos ko ng gitara. Gusto ko lang din malaman mo na kaya ko ginawa, ibinahagi, at ipinost ito ay dahil sa pagmamahal sa iyo ni Lord. Mahal ka ng Panginoon. Gusto Niyang turuan ka sa waiting season or kahit ano pa mang season ang mayroon ka ngayon. God loves you and He’s using this time you’re currently in para mag-grow, magheal, at ma-align sa kalooban Niya. The Lord has a plan for me and for you; pangako Niya ‘yon sa atin. We just need to trust, wait, and receive it at the right time.

Mahal na mahal ka ng Panginoon. Ayaw ka Niyang mapahamak at mag-settle sa good nor sa better. Instead, out of His grace and love, He wants the best for you. Wait ka lang, wait lang tayo okay? God bless you kaibigan!