Subway Music, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Friday, January 2nd 2009

Warm hellos to everyone!

I really felt compelled to send this to you:

A man sat at a subway (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 some money at him
and without stopping, continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone else leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man
looked at his watch a moment later and started to walk again.  

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tugged him along,
but the child stopped to look at the violinist and listen to his music. Finally the mother
pushed harder and the child continued to walk turning his head back all the while. 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 people actually gave him money but continued to walk away at 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 at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was none other than Joshua Bell, one of the best
musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written,  on a violin
worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a
theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100 each.

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.

 
So think about this:

In a commonplace environment at an "inappropriate" hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we
stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

Here's a question to ponder as we begin our new year:

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 as we scurry
about living our life? 

It is interesting, though, that the children all seemed to appreciate his music. And I've said
this before; children are much more connected to their Innate than we are as adults. They
have not yet learned about stress, responsibility, making money, fear, doubt, and all those
other wonderful qualities that permeate our lives. They are an amazing expression of Innate
and are connected to it - just as you were at that same age.
What happened?

My hope is that in your daily rush, you take the time to appreciate the beauty around you.
To smell the flowers along your way. To live a life surrounded by beauty.  To break down
those walls so carefully constructed by you. To open your heart to the Universe. To see
what you have been unable to. To live!

It is also my hope that you decide to make a conscious choice to rise above your present
station and become the doctor you have always wanted to be. Decide to become the very
best at being a doctor. Decide on a path where people in your community will have
incredible trust, confidence and faith in you.
.... And let me help you re-create yourself.

Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel