Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Ignored Beauty



My husband sent me the above video clip that I found very interesting. It was originally posted by Washington Post Staff Writer, Gene Weingarten. So click on his name to read his article in its entirety. It’s an experiment the Post set up with the cooperation of Joshua Bell, a violin virtuoso.

I found some things interesting about this experiment in human nature. Joshua Bell plays an instrument made in the 1700s by Stradivari valued at $3.5 million dollars. He gets paid $1,000 a minute to perform in concert. Yet in this experiment he played for 43 minutes for free, performed 6 classical pieces while 1,097 people walked by. Granted this is a busy metro in Washington, DC during rush hour. Coming from New York, rush hour is an insane time. Most people are so focused and determined to reach their destination the last thing on their minds is to stop for a “street musician.” Some people did give him money (he made $32.17). Only one person recognized him.

At first glance this was an ordinary looking man, doing an ordinary thing to most people. In reality he’s one of the world’s greatest violinists. So what does that say about society?

How often do we pass by beauty and ignore it? How often do forget to acknowledge beauty around us? How often do we cheapen the beauty that surrounds us by offering it pennies? How often are we in such a rush in our daily lives that we don’t stop and admire beauty?

When Jesus walked the earth how many people recognized His true beauty and that He was the messiah they were waiting for? I’ve wondered if I lived back then would I have been one of those in the crowd that shunned Him or would I have been one of those faithful followers. Would I have come around later on after He rose from the dead?

How often do I ignore, forget to acknowledge, cheapen, and don’t stop to admire God during my day? As I’ve matured in my relationship with the Father, I ignore Him less. But the goodness of God is that even if His beauty is ignored, He’s there to appreciate the beauty in us. He never cheapens it or walks by it. He recognizes how valuable we truly are. He loves us and for this I’m truly grateful.

© Nadine Z. 2007

26 comments:

Dedee said...

I'm crying. Thank you. I love your testimony. It shines so brightly.

Emancipation of the Freed said...

Well said my dear, well said indeed... thank you.

Tom

Damselfly said...

This is a very cool post!

Trina said...

That is such a neat way to demonstrate our shortcomings. Sober and true.

Kim said...

Another fine post, Nadine. You have a gift with your writing. Hopefully, I can start stopping by everyday again now that I am getting back to my "normal" schedule...just what is "normal" anyway?

Amydeanne said...

that was just great! I loved it.. and what an amazing post.. both the comment and the video.. it's amazing what we "really miss" when we don't look.

eph2810 said...

Thank you Nadine for sharing this reflection on beauty. You are right, we are sometimes too rushed to give our Lord a minute and listen to Him. Or even recognizing what He has created around us. I think that is why I like spring, the newness of life. No wonder Easter is in spring.

Blessings to your day and always.

yerdoingitwrong said...

I love this!!!! xo.

RC said...

i love this story.

it's classic.

i love joshua bell's music, and wonder if i'd have missed him.

i'm sure i would have, although there is that hope that maybe i would have stopped a soaked it in for a moment.

Art said...

Absolutely profound! Thank you!

Desert Reiver said...

I always enjoy your thoughts Nadine. I'm here in Bangladesh and thought you needed a dot from Dhaka on your cluster map

Karen said...

I wrote about this exact same article on my blog last week! I thought it was amazing how little response he got. Very convicting in how I rush past things all the time.

Shionge said...

Thank you for 'waking' up my senses and pay more attention to people around us.

This is oh so sweet especially busker around busy streets of Singapore and I'm glad the least I could do is to make a small donation.

Thank you Nadine, I chose not to ignore for sure :D

Jen(n) said...

wow... that is so crazy and so true.

yours truly B said...

you put it really well. I do not think I would have thought about it in that way. Thank you for shareing.
Billie

Elle*Bee said...

What a great observation!

Jill said...

I heard about this "experiment" and what you have written is so true. And, I am oh-so-guilty of rushing by in life without taking in all of the gifts. Thanks for this reminder today. You're awesome!

Knit-Wit said...

Question: Do you think the guy was humbled just a little bit to know that his music wasn't the most important thing on the planet to several people at that time? I hope so. Charging $1,000 per minute speaks of a big ego!

palmtreefanatic said...

Beauty indeed!
Blessings to you!

Unknown said...

Na -
One of your best posts yet! Well written, articulate and powerful! Great job!!

Demara said...

Wow! Nadine, that is an incredible experiment...I love stuff like that! And yes I have often thought about that and asked that same question of myself before...how would I have treated Jesus if He drove right by me or passed me on the street? Would I recognize Him today I wonder?

Louise said...

Nadine....you don't know how much I needed to hear those words today!!
Thanks for touching my heart!
Such a good reminder of God's constant unchanging love!
Bless you my friend~!!

marykathryn said...

Well again you have spoken beautiful words that have depth beyond a few words in response. Thank you for the reminder of who we are and who we serve!!

palmtreefanatic said...

nice post!

Deb said...

Wow! amazing when you think about it but so true.

Lala's world said...

wow that was great!