The last blog I wrote just now mentioned the fact that there will always be someone better than you at whatever you are doing. That’s indeed a bit humbling for some of us, I’ll agree. But still, we have to face it: none of us will ever be the very best of anything in the world; certainly not when it comes to things like playing the banjo, mandolin or guitar.
Perhaps we could be the best in the world at such specific things as raising our own children. After all, I have a cute little Grammy award from my oldest daughter that plainly states “World’s Greatest Dad!” – proof positive!
But about those banjos. How about a more realistic goal? It seems quite do-able to strive to be the best in your own zip code! Unless your zip code starts with 372, in which case you live in Nashville and have some pretty hefty competition. I kind of assume that Nashville has the largest number of banjo players and perhaps the highest concentration of them as well.
As an aside – if it’s true that Nashville has the most banjo players, then I wonder which place has the second highest number or concentration – maybe somewhere in North Carolina or Virginia?
Phill Gibson 
Great blog!! Well, some of us have a long way to go before we’re the best in our zip code. I’d only add that patience and practice are rewarded with progressively better skills. Your challenge has encouraged me to start small (best on my street perhaps??) and practice more!
Hey Al!
Yes, progress certainly comes to those who practice. And I would say you are the best on your street, at the least. I remember hearing that Highway 1 in Louisiana is the longest street in the nation; it stretches from Alexandria all the way to Grand Isle at the gulf. That street might be more than a zip-code’s-worth of competition!