Some time ago I read
the following true story posted on Facebook by Pastor Howard Proctor of Kingdom
Life Family Christian Church in Bradenton, Florida. It’s a very powerful
and poignant reminder of our need to tune in as we traverse this incredible
journey called LIFE. Think.
A man sat at a metro station in Washington D.C. and started to play the
violin; it was a cold
January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. Because it was rush hour, it was estimated
that 1,100 people passed through that station, most of them on their way to
work.
Three minutes went by, and a middle-aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, stopped for a few seconds, then hurried up to meet his schedule.
A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip. A woman threw the money in the till without stopping, and continued on her way.
A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen, but soon looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a three-year-old boy. His mother prodded him along hurriedly, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Even when the mother pushed hard, the child continued to walk, though turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes that musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued in their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.
Two days before playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the tickets averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station had been organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and the priorities of people.
The question at hand was this: In a commonplace environment at an unplanned hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in unexpected contexts?
One possible conclusion from this experiment is simply this: “If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the finest music ever written, how many other things might we be missing in life?”
Three minutes went by, and a middle-aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, stopped for a few seconds, then hurried up to meet his schedule.
A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip. A woman threw the money in the till without stopping, and continued on her way.
A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen, but soon looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a three-year-old boy. His mother prodded him along hurriedly, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Even when the mother pushed hard, the child continued to walk, though turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes that musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued in their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.
Two days before playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the tickets averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station had been organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and the priorities of people.
The question at hand was this: In a commonplace environment at an unplanned hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in unexpected contexts?
One possible conclusion from this experiment is simply this: “If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the finest music ever written, how many other things might we be missing in life?”
Incredible, isn’t
it? All too often, we wait until a tragic event occurs, such as a close
personal encounter with death or the unexpected passing of a loved one, to
achieve higher levels of awareness and connectivity with others. What are YOU waiting for? The text of
an old railroad crossing sign is particularly applicable for all of us who could
be overwhelmed and desensitized by the endless hustle and bustle of daily
activity. It simply read, “Stop,
Look, Listen!”
LIFE is happening all
around you and me. Why not engage?
Participate. Assist. Interact.
Appreciate. Touch. Listen.
Dialogue. Relate. Love.
Matter!
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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