Spirituality ... Attitude
PERCEPTION : . . . Something To Think About . . .
We received this story as an email and found it fitting.
THE SITUATION
In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in
2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45
minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through
the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3
minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing.
He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried
on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the
hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at
his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his m other 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 the whole time.
This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent
- without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 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.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one
applauded. There was no recognition at all.
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 worth $3.5 million dollars. Two
days before, Joshua Bell sold-
out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and
listen to him play the same music.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C.
Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a
social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we
perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to a ppreciate 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 . . .
how many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
How does this relate to aging?
Who do you see when you look at an aging senior?
Do you see:
- Someone who's time has past
- A grumpy old lady or man
- Someone to have to just take care of - a burdon
Or Someone who has gifts to be admired, nurtured and enjoyed?
How much of our lives do we dismiss in ourselves as we grow older by thinking:
- I can no longer do what I used to
- I am old so what is the point of trying
- I have no purpose now
Finding joy in life is all about perception and attitude. Finding value in each day, each breath and each movement. The ability to help a friend through your actions or a kind word. Giving guidance to a child to help them in their life's lessons.
On any given day, look up to the sky, take a deep breath, relax and smile - and allow yourself to feel the joy of being alive.