Welcome to my blog * thoughts and things * poetry, pictures * ideas * opinions * kindness * video * stay and read a while.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Subway Symphonies and Sideways Glances

Share it Please

Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways tokneel and kiss the earth.

Rumi

(From Molly E.)

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. Duringthat time approx. 2 thousand people went 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 thenhurried 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 athis 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 pushedhard 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 theirnormal 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 thegreatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Twodays before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the 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 socialexperiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriatehour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do werecognize 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 bestmusicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written,with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... How many other things are we missing?


2 comments:

  1. “I appreciate so much the time you take to post such soul nourishing videos on your side bar. When I pop in to visit your blog I stay and sup on the music, the speakers, and the visuals. So much to in Joy. May the Joy you share with us return to you thousand fold...embraced in warmth.”

    ReplyDelete
  2. “I appreciate so much the time you take to post such soul nourishing videos on your side bar. When I pop in to visit your blog I stay and sup on the music, the speakers, and the visuals. So much to in Joy. May the Joy you share with us return to you thousand fold...embraced in warmth.”

    ReplyDelete

Popular Posts


5 most recently updated from the blogs I'm following

Followers

Science of Mind and Spirit For Begnners

Science of Mind and Spirit For Begnners
"This wonderful book guides any individual to understand Science of Mind with ease and grace. It is a simple and beautiful presentation of the Spiritual Principles Science of Mind teaches. I highly recommend this book to students, licensed Practitioners and ministers. Blessings to Rev Edward." ~ Johan Gonzalez RScP. Science of Mind and Spirit for Beginners: Four Chapters in Simplified Prose, paraphrased by Edward VIljoen

Practice The Presence Journal

Practice The Presence Journal
Journaling offers a powerful way to record your spiritual growth. Writing in a journal calls on you to be more conscious of the insights that occur daily in your life. It gives you an opportunity to examine your beliefs and be mindful of your choices.

Seeing Good At Work

Seeing Good At Work
I have been through the book three times over three years, and am starting it again. This is not because the material in the book is not working, but because it is working so well! The weekly lessons keep me on track and focused on what is actually true and important, and help me experience more good in every area of my life. LS

Ezine.com