Finding Beauty – Survey

Filed Under Fridays Finding Beauty | 53 comments

The following TRUE STORY is new to me. I found it this early this morning. Many of you might have seen this, but bare with me to the end– I have a good question for you–

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 approximately 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 child 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, a onetime child prodigy, presently one of the greatest musicians of 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 (for Full story click here) 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?

 

I know that taking a moment to capture that specific moment in time (with my Blog persuading me) has helped me to see more of the ordinary beauty that surrounds us daily. Perhaps it’s not that we don’t notice the beauty but maybe we don’t let it make an imprint on your minds and hearts.

Mary At Little Red House is hostessing another Mosaic Monday, stop by and see her.

In January… when life takes on a bit slower pace I was wondering if any of you would like to Participate with me on Fridays for “Finding Beauty – from the simple to the grand” ??

Please  just make a note in your comments if you think you might want to join in …

Survey Time!!

OHHH and while you are at the comment box please leave me a suggestion for great movies– I love movies and am in charge of selecting the movie for our Monthly Girls night IN (I bring the movie) I need wonderful suggestions of perhaps ones I have forgotten. (Gimmie your top 3 please!)

Visit Beverly at Pink Saturday and see all the creative gals over there.

Thanks so much for your comments and help!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

November 14, 2009 at 12:29 am | Fridays Finding Beauty | 53 comments

Comments

53 Responses to “Finding Beauty – Survey”

1. mary says:

   November 19, 2009 at 9:31 am

   Hi Claudia,  what an amazing story.  I have found that having a camera in hand helps me to recognize the beauty around me.   Thanks for sharing your lovely images at MM.
   Movies:  I have a strange sense of humor, so these might not be what you are looking for, but I love Local Hero, The Dish and The Burbs.
2. Michelle says:

   November 20, 2009 at 5:22 am

   Great story, beautiful pictures!
3. Ange says:

   November 28, 2009 at 2:34 pm

   Hi Claudia,
   I too love the story of Josh and am thankful when my children stop me in the street to listen to anything from a violinist to birdsong… How special of you to have added that in! Thanks for dropping by my blog and I look forward to reading more of you. Ange

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