Every once in awhile a story arrives via e-mail that makes me stop and think and want to share it. I received this meaningful story, entitled “Perception.” Rather than an article about physical health and wellness, I thought you might enjoy one focusing on emotional well-being.”A man sat at a metro station in Washington, D.C., 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 thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.The initial first three minutes went by, and a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip; a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly, he was late for work.The one who paid the most attention was a 3-year-old boy. His mother tagged him along hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. 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 six people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk 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.No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth $3,500,000. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: 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?This New Year is a blank slate, waiting for us to write the story of our destiny upon it. But how we look at what we see dramatically affects what we get. If all we see is struggle, poverty or insurmountable odds, we could be looking past the most beautiful music in the world. Training yourself to be optimistically objective, maintaining a grasp on reality but observing your world through a positive lens, may be our best shot to get past the current challenges. Pay attention – success is leaving you clues, but only you can decide to be aware of them. What you perceive is what you get. See the miracles around you that are already there, and you just may make this your best year yet.”Palmer Chiropractic, PC719-494-1395www.palmer-chiropractic.com
