Many of us are always in a rush. We never have enough time. Many problems, multi-tasking activities, working every day, taking care of our children, doing errands… Will we have one day a chance to stop, make ‘Just  Time for Me,’ and see how many good things life can offer? Did you ever thought “What are you missing in your life? It is easy and very difficult in the same time to answer this question. Here is one example. It is very interesting!

Washington, DC, Metro Station – on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2 (two) 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 violonist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till 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, as the kid stopped to look at the violonist. Finally 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 them to move on.

45 minutes: The musician played. Only six people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.

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 violonist was Joshua Bell, one of the highest acclaimed musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days earlier, Joshua Bell had sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

There is a real 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 question 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:

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…

How many other things are we missing? Find time and appreciate its precious moments for yourself and give  your children to appreciate the best life values, too. Don’t give your kid a tug along hurriedly. Don’t stop your children when they see what you don’t see around.  Watch together and explain them if needed.  Wide open your eyes and ears or you can run the risk of missing out on life’s special gifts.

Source:From John W. Hutchison, http://www.visualcy.com/hutchworld