Jin

May 17, 2022

One day our house was suddenly full of piano music. These were the most beautiful, softest and melancholic sounds I had ever heard - at least that's how it seemed to me at that moment. Searching for the source, I came across a half-open door and in the room behind it there was indeed someone sitting at the piano. I remember exactly how she introduced herself: "Hello, I'm Jasmin. But my friends call me Jin."

Without Jin, our band probably wouldn't exist. In any case, it was only through her that I got the impulse to share the songs and lyrics that had been floating around in my head for many years and to make them resound. In the beginning, it was just Jin and I tinkering with it. In retrospect, that time seems almost unreal to me. I was completely enchanted by her soulful way of playing, by her ideas that teased out completely new facets from my songs. Chords and harmonies appear in her head that would never occur to me.

But even apart from music, I wouldn't want to do without Jin anymore. She has a way of seeing the good and beautiful in everything that I deeply admire. Jin builds small objects and sculptures out of junk she finds on the street. A broken wine bottle turns into a kaleidoscope, a rusted tin can becomes a bird bath. Our entire house is full of such little artful things. But Jin is also incredibly appreciative, gentle and understanding towards people. She even wins something from every tear, as unmistakable proof of the deep and honest feelings that have brought them to light.

Only one thing keeps puzzling me. How can it be that Jin, of all people, whose eye is so sharpened for the good and beautiful in the world, is apparently completely blind when looking in the mirror. Isn't it strange that someone like her is always plagued by self-doubt, while all the egomaniacs and loudmouths seem completely satisfied with themselves? Strange and also quite unfair. I find it hard to bear.

Do you also know people who don't want to or can't see their own beauty? Do you have any advice on how best to deal with this?