Stop And Smell The Music

What’s written below was sent to me. I didn’t write it.

It describes a Washington Post story, for which I’ve found and included the link to below.

I’m filled with a desire to comment. But will just allow those of you who seek enlightenment about the simple things to read it for yourself.

I’ve said too much already. Here it is:

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A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and  started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach  pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was  calculated that thousands of people went through the 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 and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his  schedule.

A  minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the  money in the open case, and without stopping, continued to  walk.

A  few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the  man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for  work.

The  one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother moved  him along hurriedly, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the  mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, 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 the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a  while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at 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 best musicians in  the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a  violin worth 3.5 million  dollars.

Two  days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in  Boston, and the seats averaged  $100.

 This  is a real 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 priorities of people. The outlines were: in a  commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we  stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected  context?

One  of the possible conclusions from this experience could  be:

If  we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the  world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we  missing?  

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 I found the link for the original article, "Pearls Before Breakfast":   

http://budurl.com/skpj Author, Gene Weingarten won a Pulitzer Prize for this article.

Oops, but my desire to comment is still here. 

One of the reasons you’ll be hearing so much from from me about “Your Inner Wizard,” is that when we come from a more centered inner place, our consciousness need not be so scattered. 

Practice and reminders are the keys to greater awareness. 

It’s understandable that those rushing through the station might be late for trains, jobs, appointments, etc., no matter how good the music was, pre-set priorities may take precedence. 

But then, sometimes, we just have to stop and smell the music. It’s really all around us. 

Oh, I know, “smell” the music makes no sense. 

Or does it?

Have a smelly day.

Comments

[Hans Eisenman]

Tom this reminded me of an article I read on Southwest in their Spirit mag last week. The author traveled around to various SW terminals and played in the terminal as part of a grand experiment. It's a fun article and he refers to the Joshua Bell story as well. Enjoy:
http://cli.gs/ErEG6A
Hans

[Ricci]

This is fabulous and is going to make it into my top stories of 2009 I'm sure. Thank you so much for sharing this (again) with the world.

[Fatimah Musa]

Yes, we seem to be living in such a "hurried" life that we have no time to stop and just listen or watch.

Some just don't care.

FM

[Bill Murray]

Beautiful, Tom. Smell the roses, listen to the Bells... someday when we have more time, right?

[tomjustin.com]

Thank's D'Arcy. Glad you enjoyed it.

[D'Arcy Mayo]

It is a amazing how much we miss each day because we are "too busy" ... Thank you for a wonderful post :)