I read this today for the first time.
Sorry if it has been circulating a while.
A great life lesson.
Perception:
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with
a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that 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 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 worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days 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 social experiment about
perception, taste and people's priorities.
The questions raised:
*In a common place 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.
How many other things are we missing?
How many special persons pass us by and we do not MAKE ANY EFFORT TO get to
know them?
The End
I suppose what spurred me to post this was an annoyed comment, directed at me, "Why did you say hello to that person
if you don't know him?"
Well, I do talk to strangers. Whitman knew the value, and sometimes the Magic of this simple act.
Life is full of so many wonderful things, if we just take the time to slow down, and look, listen, share.
I have often elicited a huge beaming smile, just by smiling at a stranger. You could see them light up, and
seemingly shake off a frown, scowl, or the air of tension.
I have sometimes seen folks repel in horror, as a stranger struck up a conversation while waiting in line.
I suppose caution can be wise in todays society. But, in the end, we will have tried to make the world a better place.
Sorry if it has been circulating a while.
A great life lesson.
Perception:
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with
a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that 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 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 worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days 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 social experiment about
perception, taste and people's priorities.
The questions raised:
*In a common place 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.
How many other things are we missing?
How many special persons pass us by and we do not MAKE ANY EFFORT TO get to
know them?
The End
I suppose what spurred me to post this was an annoyed comment, directed at me, "Why did you say hello to that person
if you don't know him?"
Well, I do talk to strangers. Whitman knew the value, and sometimes the Magic of this simple act.
Life is full of so many wonderful things, if we just take the time to slow down, and look, listen, share.
I have often elicited a huge beaming smile, just by smiling at a stranger. You could see them light up, and
seemingly shake off a frown, scowl, or the air of tension.
I have sometimes seen folks repel in horror, as a stranger struck up a conversation while waiting in line.
I suppose caution can be wise in todays society. But, in the end, we will have tried to make the world a better place.
