What is your choice?

In Washington, DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold morningn Friday, January 12 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.

About 3 and half minutes: 

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 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 $32.17.

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.

You can read the rest of the article here from Washington Post.

What is your choice?

Do you stop and listen? 

Do you hurry past with a blend of guilt and irritation, aware of your cupidity but annoyed by the unbidden demand on your time and your wallet? 

Do you throw in a buck, just to be polite?

Does your decision change if he's really bad? 

What if he's really good? 

Do you have time for beauty? Shouldn't you? 

ONLY ONE CHILDHOOD

I stopped to watch my little girl busy playing in her room. In one hand was a plastic phone; in the other a toy broom.

I listened as she was speaking to her make believe little friend and I'll never forget the words she said, even though it was pretend.

She said "Suzie's in the corner cuz she's not been very good. She didn't listen to a word I said or do the things she should."

In the corner I saw her baby doll all dressed in lace and pink. It was obvious she'd been put there to sit alone and think. My daughter continued her "conversation," as I sat down on the floor.

She said, "I'm all fed up I just don't know what to do with her any more. She whines whenever I have to work and wants to play games, too; and never lets me do the things that I just have to do. She tries to help me with the dishes, but her arms just cannot reach and she doesn't know how to fold the towels and I don't have time to teach. I have a lot of work to do and a big house to keep clean. I don't have time to sit and play-- don't you know what I mean?"

And that day I thought a lot about making some changes in my life; as I listened to her innocent words that cut me like a knife.

I hadn't been paying enough attention to what I hold most dear. I'd been caught up in responsibilities that increased throughout the year. But now my attitude has changed because, in my heart, I realize I've seen the world in a different light through my little darling's eyes.

So, let the cobwebs have the corners and the dust bunnies rule the floor, I'm not going to worry about keeping up with them any more. I'm going to fill the house with memories of a child and her mother for God grants us only ONE childhood, and we will never get another.

-- Author Unknown