wonders what she is missing. . .

"If we can't take the time out of our lives to stay a moment and listen to one of the best musicians on Earth play some of the best music ever written; if the surge of modern life so overpowers us that we are deaf and blind to something like that -- then what else are we missing?"

Most of you (my faithful readers -- whoever you are) know that I am somewhat obsessed with music. . . classical music mostly. When I was a little girl I begged my parents to let me learn how to play the violin. They wisely "suggested" that I learn how to play the piano first and since my income consisted of 10 cents for doing an extra job, I was pretty much destined to learn how to play the piano. After a few years of piano and lots more begging I began taking violin lessons. For the next 12 years I took lessons and participated in some sort of an orchestra or group. Sometimes I practiced, sometimes I didn't. . . sometimes I even paid half for my lessons to prove that I wanted to actually take them. Music is one of the things that I would term myself "passionate" about and I am thankful for the talents that I have been given musically even when the lessons were long and hard and expensive.

Through all of my lessons though, I learned a lot more than just how to play an instrument. I learned how to appreciate music. Whenever I hear someone playing I love to just sit back in awe of their talent, knowing full well how much time they have dedicated to perfecting this gift that they have been given. There is something about hearing a really phenomenal musical performance that just lifts your soul, inspires you to better and brings beauty to any circumstance.



Sometimes I forget this. I teach my music lessons each day and don't totally appreciate the renditions for 5 finger piano of Bicycle Built for Two or Hot Cross Buns squeaked out on violins in the hands of eager 6th graders who are just plain excited to be playing with a bow. I forget. Sadly, I forget that music is about listening, not just playing. It is about learning and feeling not just reading notes and finishing a piece.

So, when I read this article in the Washington Post about Joshua Bell (a very famous and talented violinist) I resolved to be better about listening -- I need to take time to listen -- to music, to silence, to what is happening around me. I am scared to think of what I might be "missing" in my hustle to do who knows what each day.

Here is the link to the article from the Washington Post. . . it is LONG so give yourself some time to read it.