Do you hear the music?

"Last year The Washington Post asked one of the world's finest violinists to play the part of a street musician in a Washington D.C. subway station. Pearls Before Breakfast: Joshua Bell plays the subway.

It was 7:51 a.m. on Friday, January 12, the middle of the morning rush hour. In the next 43 minutes, as the violinist performed six classical pieces, 1,097 people passed by. Almost all of them were on the way to work

In the three-quarters of an hour that Joshua Bell played, seven people stopped what they were doing to hang around and take in the performance, at least for a minute. Twenty-seven gave money, most of them on the run -- for a total of $32 and change. That leaves the 1,070 people who hurried by, oblivious, many only three feet away, few even turning to look. "

Ohhhh man... what a sad, and interesting, article! (Thanks for sharing, Prof!) Although, I have to admit, I'm a bit shocked at the whole thing. How can one not stop and listen?? I like to think that I've stopped at those that I've seen on the streets. Maybe not all, but a good portion, but I'm thinking that's because of my own music playing (I don't call it a talent or skill, because I'm not playing anymore) But ... I am totally moved by most music, and always take a chance to stop and listen to something. But then I've been known to stop in the middle of a walk just to listen to wind in the trees, or birds calling back and forth to each other.

But sadly.... Americans in a hurry don't take the time to do much of anything that isn't on their agenda. How sad it is that we're so busy pursuing the "american dream" that's been dictated to us, rather than pursuing the dreams that live in our heart, our soul, our very being.

Further in the article, this was the part that stuck out for me very strongly:

.....unless their defenses have been hardened to an impenetrable state. Maybe the urban environment of American cities is so dreadful that we've all constructed defenses so thick that we literally don't hear street musicians.

Its a pretty sad state of affairs that we can tune that stuff out. And I found it interesting that kids recognized it more than the adults. THAT gives me hope; makes me think that another generation will figure a few things out and maybe get it right down the road.

And maybe I'm being simplistic and overly naive and they won't. *sigh* There are more things in life than a career, and possessions. Those who spend their entire lives working for only that, face an end that's empty and sad, maybe even full of regrets. Life is too short, too precious for should have's, would have's and wish I had's. This is the one place that elders can be our greatest teachers. If we only stop, and listen.

If you pass by a great musician playing on the street, do you stop and listen?
Or are you in such a hurry that you pass right on by without a second glance?
Perhaps the next time you see someone, you will stop and listen. I encourage it.
If only for a moment ...... to see and hear the beauty that only music can be.

HUGS to everyone!