**I’ve sent this Christmas blog out for the last few years and wanted to do
the same again this year since the message will never get old.**
This is the time of the year when we all
become so busy that we sometimes forget what this season is about. Recently, I
received an e-mail that clutched at me, and made me take notice. Though this happened some years ago, I doubt if the results would be different today.
It was about a
violinist playing his instrument in the Washington, DC Metro Station. During
the time he played, approximately 2,000 people went through the area, most of
them on their way to work. One or two stopped to listen for a short while, an
older man the longest. A few people threw money, but the ones who acknowledged
him the most were the little ones with busy parents who forced them along so
they couldn’t stay and listen.
After 1 hour he finished playing and silence took over, no applause, no
recognition and a very few dollars for his trouble. No one knew that this man
called Joshua Bell was one of the greatest violinists in the world, who played
some of the most intricate pieces ever written for a violin, and this day he
played on an instrument worth $3.5 million dollars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM21gPmkDpI
Washington Post had organized this experiment to answer this question: In a
commonplace environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty and
stop to appreciate it? It raised the uncertainty – if we do not have a moment
to stop and listen to one of the world’s best musicians, playing some of the
finest music ever written, on one of the most beautiful instruments ever made –
how many other things are we missing?
The thought
scares me a little. I get so caught up in my writing, editing, promoting, and
blogging – in fact – all the many time-consuming tasks most authors have, that
I must admit, it’s easy to let the world float on by.
But should we?
And at this time of the year especially? So my request to all you
wonderful people is to stop for a while, enjoy the special moments the
season of Yuletide brings us and spoil yourself with pleasures and joys…. and
lots of chocolate!
Merry
Christmas! Have a wonderful season full of friends, warmth and affection!
Hugs & Love
Mimi
