Thursday, January 8, 2009

What Else Are We Missing Out In Our Lives???

Ju Ju suddenly was not feeling well yesterday evening. She said she has a headache and the next thing I know, she changed into her pj's on her own and crawled into her bed. Actually it was her third time in the past ten days complaning about her headache and goes to bed way before her normal bed time. It kinda makes me nervous when a girl full of energy doesn't want to do anything. I decided that if she complains about her headache again soon, I am going to take her to see her doctor..

Anyway, my sister in Hawaii forwarded me an email yesterday and I thought you all should read this post if you would. All of us have a hectic work schedule or busy life raising children. And we often don't even have the time to stop in our own tracks and take a deep breath. This email really made me realize how true that is.... The below is the message I was forwarded by my sister.

*A Violinist in the Metro* From The Effective Club

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw> the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but> the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work. The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. 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. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best 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 his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100. This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.

The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context? One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing? ****

So what do you think everyone? This email kind of made me sad. It's Joshua Bell! And not even one person noticed him - I wouldn't have noticed that it is him either. That's how busy we are or at least that's what we think we are. And you know what funny thing is? Only the children wanted to stop and listen to his violin. That's how innocent and curious our children are. They want to see and listen to things, play and enjoy life! When did we ever stop to think that life has so much to offer if we let it?

I found the real footage on YouTube of what happened in the email as well as the article from Washington Post. Enjoy!





65 comments:

Rachel said...

This is so true; seldom do we stop and smell the roses; thanks for sharing this story.
I will definately read the article.

Nicole Marie said...

wow. thank you for the story. i reminded that i need to slow down.

~pen~ said...

really does make you think about everything in life thats happening around you...

Carrin said...

I really need to be more observant of the wonderful things around me. In the hussle and bussle of the day I'm sure I miss many many things in my hurry to get somewhere.
Thank you for this post.

The Rambler said...

Awww Maki, thank you for reminding me to slow it down today, enjoy my child and the time I have with her.

Kaitlyn said...

I have a policy that if I'm not five minutes early then I'm late. I do this so I don't have to rush and worry, so that I have time to enjoy my journeys. Great story!

LadyStyx said...

Wow...the things we miss...

Claudine said...

That is so sad but so true! The problem most people have is that they look at life as a rat race, so in the process, they forget to appreciate the other things life has to offer. I'm trying not to, but sometimes, I forget as well.

MJ said...

Such a great post. We really need to learn to stop and smell the roses sometimes...

I saw that you said you sent an invite to me, but I didn't get it. Will you resend it?

margeaux.jackson@gmail.com

Carrin said...

I have a little something for you on my blog to day. Come over and check it out.

merc3069 said...

wow--how sad, and true. Thanks for the reminder to live and enjoy life.

Alev said...

Wow... That's just so sad. :s We are so busy with everything that we miss out on the life itself.. Then what's the point of it, right? We should be able to have more time for ourselves.

Btw, I forgot to mention it on my previous comment: I loved the new layout! :D

Kaitlyn said...

P.S. There's an award for you over at my blog :)

Maki said...

Rachel: Us mothers also need to learn how to take a breath, I think...

Nicole: Living in SF can be hectic too, right?

Penz: Yes, indeed!

Carrin: I often find myself rushing and feeling so frustrated. I need to learn to take my time and relax.

The Rambler: That's exactly what I learned from this message - it's too precious to lose all the time I have with them..

Kaitlyn: You know what? That would be the best thing to do - I am trying to learn to be on time so I don't have to rush!

LadyStyx: Yeah right? Really, that's how I feel.

Chloie: You're soo right about it. I'm trying to appreciate what's around me, but it just doesn't happen everytime, you know?

MJ: I totally agree with you!! And yes, I sent the invite last year, but I think it didn't get to you. I'll send the invite again!

Carrin: Oh my, you're sooo sweet! I'll check it out now:)

merc: Hey girlie! Happy New Year! Even it's hard, I think life can offer so much, I guess. Good to hear from you:)

Alev: Aw thanks! Yeah, we need to relax and enjoy our lives more:)

Kaitlyn: Aw my goodness, thanks sooo much! I will check it out:)

vsm/whirling dirvish photography said...

Thanks for stopping by and the sweet comment. I recieved this email the other day as well and it made my heart hurt... I'm guilty of letting the little beautiful things pass me by at times.
Love your blog! Will be following!

Maki said...

smphotography: Wow, thank you so much for stopping by. I love your blog as well!!! You're great photographer:)

Betsy Eves @JavaCupcake said...

Great blog :) Thanks for the reminder to slow down.... enjoy.

jori-o said...

It's so very true--thanks for the reminder!

JessicaMarie said...

Aw I love this story! There's so much beauty to appreciate if we'll just stop to look for it

Tori C. said...

A more tangible way of saying "slow life down and live it." Thanks for sharing (love the name, Ju Ju, by the way).

Hccm said...

We really need to slow down. We miss out on many great wonders by rushing.

Jeanne Estridge said...

What a great reminder -- thank you.

(BTW -- what a wonderful, sweet person you are. I'm so glad I got to meet you.)

Anonymous said...

What a great story.

I love that you found the u-tube video and article to go along with it.

Ali said...

Wow, I never heard this story before! What a great lesson.

Thrifty and Chic Mom said...

what a great reminder to slow down

Preston said...

What a great post and story and what a sad commentary on what we have become as a society.

Anonymous said...

this post make me think so deep. I sure need to really appreciate my life and enjoy everything and not to take things for granted. As said .. we never knew how we felt or how important things around us until we lost 'em.

Erika said...

Wonderful! Congrats on your SITS feature!!

April said...

Great post! We should never let an oppotunity to appreciate what's around us slip through our fingers.

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

Sadly no one would have heard him regardless of who he is.

One of my favorite memories from growing up in Boston is riding the T and hearing different music at each stop when the doors opened.

It's suh a loss that no one notices anymore.

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

That makes me sad! We definitely need to take more time in our lives to stop and "smell the roses." Happy SITS day!

mommy4life said...

Priorities! That's what it's all about! We are too ruled by our watches and schedules to account for the unexpected beauty and moments that come our way.

Brandy said...

Too much. That's what we miss everyday...and while I'm guilty of it too I start each day looking out my back window so I can see the mountains and the beautiful sunrise.

It's my way of appreciating the small things.

Tara said...

Wow...great post...makes you think a little deeper...or maybe just stop and slow down and see what is going on around us.

Anonymous said...

omgosh, this made me stop and think.

Ugh - I probably would have been one of the ones to walk right on by.

That is so sad! And speaks volumes about my priorities and how they are so not in order.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I have not heard this story. And I am one of those people who has paid money to hear him perform. And I am also one of those people who would probably have kept on walking. Because when you are in a metro station...you are trying to get somewhere...and you are usually late.

I wonder if a boss would be appeased with "I'm late because Joshua Bell was playing in the metro."

Vickie said...

Thanks for the reminder!

Coffee with Cathy said...

Hope your daughter is feeling better.

jubilee said...

thanks for the reminder to stop and enjoy the good things in life

Barb said...

So true.... aren't we all guilty of this? thanks for the reminder to slow down and really appreciate life...

I hope your daughter is doing alright? is she feeling better?

Cammie said...

so very true....

Anonymous said...

What a great story! A wonderful reminder for the New Year to take time to appreciate the beauty around us.

Anonymous said...

I bet that most of the people who passed by did notice. I bet that, even though they didn't have time to stop and savor, that the beautiful music brightened a lot of people's day.

At least I hope it did.

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

Phenomenal! I wish I could have been there to hear him play.

On the other hand, most people who are at bus, train, subway (etc) stations generally have places to go and don't want to miss their transportation...most aren't there just to see the station.

Anonymous said...

This is very interesting. Sad, too.

Reeni said...

That is such a cool story. We should all stop during our busy lives to smell the roses. Thanks for sharing the story. I really enjoyed your posts today, and am glad that SITS sent me here. Enjoy your SITS day!!

Anonymous said...

Great article! I really appreciate that you posted the additional info all in one place for me... IF A GREAT MUSICIAN PLAYS GREAT MUSIC BUT NO ONE HEARS . . . WAS HE REALLY ANY GOOD?

Pamela said...

Interesting, I wonder what I would have done. I hope your daughter is better!

Leanna said...

You are correct...sometimes we just get so wrapped up in living our lives that we are not really 'living' but just coasting through it.

I love your posts here....you are so deep and bring up thoughts that I think we all have occasionally but disregard.

Ash said...

I love that it was the children that stopped and listened. I try to remind myself to take cues from my 2-year-old while we're out and about.

The things that catch his eye are things I never pay attention to - the dandelion, the funny Sponge Bob card. Too bad I'm usually in a hurry. I'll try harder!!

Congrats on being Saucy!!

Malisa said...

Makes you stop and think, doesn't it? We all need to slow down...and enjoy life more!

Happy SITS Day!

Malisa

Cherie said...

Wow, thanks for making me see I really need to slow down everyday!!!

Sarah said...

Wow! One lady at the end recognized him. I'm not sure that I would have recognized him, but I hope I would have slowed down for a bit to listen...

But then who knows. Knowing me, I'd be running late AGAIN.

Thanks for the reminder

Courtney said...

How sad.

Sherrie said...

Thank you for reminding us to take some time and enjoy everything. Happy SITS day to you!

Mimi said...

Enjoy your SITS day!

Kim said...

That is an awesome post. Thank you for taking the time to write it.

Rhea said...

What a neat story! How sad no one seemed to notice or appreciate his talent. I always notice music. I can't play music or sing, but I notice it.

MaricrisG said...

We get so busy with the cares of life that we neglect to see the good things around us. Life!

Maricris
Zen Ventures
Golden Flower Creations

Mrsbear said...

It's so sad, but it's not surprising. We're always in such a hurry, caught up in the little details and frustrations, that we fail to notice things like this. What a great post. I'm forwarding the article to my husband. Incredible.

Lisa Fulmer said...

great post, thanks. One of my NY ressies is to be more zen, be more aware of each moment.

Live.Love.Eat said...

Wow, what an amazing experiment.

Michelle said...

How sad... i'd hope that I would stop to listen, but I think we all know the answer to that one. Always always things to do!

Maki said...

Hello Everybody from SITS!!

Thanks soo much for commenting on this post - I'm glad that you got to read this because this is one of my favorite post.

I will make sure to visit each one of your blog although it may take a few days..

Thanks again so much for the comment love!

xoxo

Ani said...

I actually saw this story... I think on 20/20 or something... one of the ABC news programs.... I probably would have sat there on the floor and drooled at his ability, but i wouldn't have known who he was...

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