What Are We Missing?

[vickie h]

An interesting piece - please take a moment to read.


Washington, DC Metro Station - on a cold January morning. A man with a violin plays six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people passed through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.


4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the price of seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... what else are we missing?

[sarah]

Amazing! What a wonderful thing for him to do. Love Bach. Too bad people were in such a hurry.

[Joan M]

Vickie,

Thanks for this post about Joshua Bell's experiment.

I would agree about what we miss in life. I have a daily three hour commute on an express bus. I work 9-5, but never out of the office at 5. I'm gone about 12 hours a day, and often ask myself why. (Until three years ago, I had a daily two hour commute and left work at 5, but the company moved to N.C., and I was forced to find another job.)

Joan

[bejuce]

Thank you for such a beautiful post. I'm inclined to repost it in my blog if you give me permission. I happen to read this now in bed next to my kids, while pondering how I'm going to get up, face the day, and focus on the positive and the beautiful things in life after getting my preliminary pathology report yesterday. Thank you for helping me realize that we must try to find and recognize beauty at every moment of our lives, even at our darkest hour.

Vicky,

That was beautiful to read and leaves me wondering how much I miss everyday as I walk through the downtown area where I work in New York.
It also makes me realize that if we don't take in these rare moments and embrace them when we can it may be too late.

This really changed my day. I will stop and smell the flowers and look my fellow human beings in the eye when I say hello from now on.

Blessings through God,

Doris

[Carolyns]

Thanks for posting. I often think that children arrive with a greater perception than what is learned later on. I noticed early on that my baby would "rock out" in the shopping cart at the grocery store. I would stop and then notice that he could hear the "muzac" behind all of the normal supermarket chatter. My son has often been my guide reminding me about what is important in life.

He regulary has a snow cone sale in front of our house to raise money for the humane society. He commented to me once, "Mom, I noticed that the rich people (defined as drivers of late model luxury cars) don't even look at us when they drive by. Meanwhile, others stop and acutally give me $2 for a $1 snow cone. It seems like the folks with less money are more generous and they smile at us."

He is 11 now and to this day he still stops to listen to the music and always throws in some money (from my purse). I hope he doesn't get too busy when he "grows up".

Thanks for sharing... it makes you think!

Love, Hope, Peace, Carolyn

[tricia keegan]

Wow, good point Vicki!

[ElaineM]

This is powerful !!!!!!!!

Vicki,
Where did you find this? It's an amazing story and I'll spread this to others. We all need a wakeup call. thanks for taking the time to share it.

Randi

[Bill]

Thanks, Vickie!

[Yorkiegirl]

Vicki I remember seeing this discussed with Joshua Bell on the Today Show several months ago. Matt Lauer interviewd hin concerning this.

[vickie h]

MY friend from Minnesota said they covered this on ABC also. What a fascinating story...I wish I had been one of the passers-by. I love classical music and it would have been hard for me to move past that music.....work or not.

[Terri B]

I lived in New York in the 80's and every morning, in grand central station, at the top of a long escalator, was a violin player. He was so talented and i listened to him every morning as i ascended up to his level. I would tip him every morning that I could. I saw so many of these talented musicians in subway station in new york even trios and quartets. I've been moved to tears on more than one occasion. The last one being underground the world trade center in the 90's when I was visiting. Life is too short.

[suzan w]

what a great story!!! thanks for making me think once again about how precious life is and how short!!! And how beautiful...xo Suzan

Vicki,

Life is too short to walk by such beautiful music. Thank you for sharing this. I will pass this on to my friends by email.

God Bless You and Keep you

Carrie N.