**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. 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. 

The 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 joy…. ..and lots of chocolate!
 

Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful season full of friends, warmth and affection!

Hugs & Love   Mimi