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RHP

RHP User

M47

What are we missing from our lives

January 11 2013

social

So this is my first topic so take it easy people please, and I would be nice to you also .I will start with an intro of a good song."Isn't it marvelous that we have been given the gift of seeing and hearing? Of course, seeing gives us a wonderful picture of the world around us, but I wonder how many of you think about hearing as giving us wonderful soundpictures. For, sounds are really tone colours that give us a picture of what we hear. We have all enjoyed show-and-tell at school. But, how many of you have played the exciting game of hear-and-tell ? We will now hear sounds. Can you tell us what they are? And, who or what, is making them? Lets try. First, close your eyes, and when you hear each sound, try to guess what it is. Either say what it is, or, if you are alone, just think about it."I read recently about an experiment that took place in Wastigton at their main subway station.A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces (amazing piece of art) for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 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 the money in the till and without stopping, and 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 6 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(I never heard of him), one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where 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?For those who read all this I salute you :)

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    That story did the rounds of Facebook recently also. I took my kids to the national gallery today. Outside was a busker on a violin. My 5 year old son danced around like he was the only person alive with that music and I just watched him in awe. Completely uninhibited and so beautiful. Many stopped to watch also. The musician started to play nursery rhymes and I told him it wasnt necessary and just play what he wanted to play. My son kept dancing. Hes used to clasical music. We then toured the Toulouse Lautrec exhibition and saw the world through the eyes of an artist who saw beauty in everything around him. And I shared that with my children. ( they did have a giggle at the boobies and bums!) As an artist, I see beauty everywhere. I know I'm a lucky girl. Xxx

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    I forgot about the song lyric thing ... He stopped playing those annoying nursery rhymes and played a Yiddish folk song. So much more interesting and it started my daughter dancing too!

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    I am indeed fortunate to have seen Joshua Bell play- ( but them Im a an American) and I had already read about this experiment in the New York Times (yeah I still log on) just last week   The reality is this....we do not appreciate anything nor anybody until it is gone.....   We promise ourselves to slow down and admire the musician or to smell the roses, but we dont..because we simply get caught up in this thing called life...first world problems...................and then for some for some of us..there will be a reality check...   A unexpected loss of a loved one, surviving a devastating event, the diagnosis of a illness..and all of sudden life is put into perspective.....its just so sad that it takes an event like this to change how we react to the beauty that surrounds us and the way that we view the world, others, and more importantly ourselves.   I am currently experiencing a life defying moment....I am re- evaluating all in my life...and well you know it kinda sucks that you have to do this........however....there is also clarity in this event..   ..I am sure of who I am, where I am in the scheme of things and the people who are in my life, well they are in my life for a reason and accordingly I consider my self to be quite blessed even though I do not like my current situatoin - to be honest, if I could change it, I would, but in doing so I would not appreciate all that I do have ....I do stop to listen, to look and observe.....but perhaps I wouldnt if my circumstances were different...   Each nite I take my dog (surrogate dog) for a walk along the beach, often listening to Beethoven on my ipod.... I watch the glorious WA sunsets, dabble in the water, revel in the sun.. and sit and watch the odd dolphin frolicking......   and I am content...   There is beauty in everything....if we do take the time, to look and reflect......     Thankyou for such a uplifting and thoughtful topic

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    such a beautiful and thoughtful post...the tragedy of our busy lives is that we don't always hear or see the beauty in what is all around us.Our experience of the world is indeed all about our perceptions. I adore crows,I listen to their calls in the morning and I enjoy their call and response,and then they are off to forage for the day.Many people hate the sound that they make but if you really listen there is intelligence and beauty there. There is also great beauty in what is conventionally seen as ugliness.I was in Berlin before the wall came down and the stark surreal beauty in what was known as ''no -mans land'' was breathtaking...beauty is indeed in the ear or the eye of the beholder.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    I totally agree....why do we get so busy being busy?   True beauty and talent should be enjoyed wherever and whenever.   Hell, i've heard worse reasons for being late to work.....and believe me, i've heard them all!

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  • happytradie

    happytradie

    13 years ago

    What a great story.I was at Surfers Paradise for the last 2 weeks and there were some incredibly talented acts during the evenings and my 10yr old son was fascinated by them and would always stop and listen and watch.

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  • On_Safari

    On_Safari

    13 years ago

    Speechless

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    And a enjoyable first post to read. And agree that people need to stop and see what is right in front of them sometimes. For most people their hobbies do a good job of this whether it be knitting, surfing etc For me I enjoy rock climbing as its just me, a rock face and some good friends far away from screens, mobiles and everything else. If I was a cynical marketer (sorry if anyone is in marketing) is that when he decided to play during rush hour he didn't understand his target market of people being late from work compared to at the end of the day relaxing at a concert.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    that was a beautiful Ode to a Bag...too too funny

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    Unfortunately people don't stop to smell the roses nowadays, well very rarely in the big smoke.   This experiment was also done out in the open air by some other noted musician/s and a similar response.   But in saying that Marina Pryor used to busk before she was famous so one does get noticed.   I do think that we Aussies tend to appreciate and able to take time out and notice things a bit more than our American city counterparts.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    now I am not working I can take my time and linger when I see or hear something nice   My daughter is an opera singer, and though I do not listen much to the radio or cd I love it when my daughter sings, or my uncle or auntr play the Piano   I cannot sing at all   my voice is in my art.   When I was in central park a few months ago, not only did i sketch but I also wrote down conversations I heard and put that in my visual dairy

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  • Cheekyarses

    Cheekyarses

    13 years ago

    That story of Joshua Bell I watched not all that long ago on Facebook or YouTube - it was very interesting to watch..... Life is busy, ppl must meet this deadline, this target, be somewhere at a certain time, life is very very busy for most ppl n even busier for others.... That doesn't mean they would not like to stop n listen as alot of them would..... But if you just stop for even a minute n listen to the surroundings around you, that minute can make a difference! Great topic!

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    Yes is the word to everything to liberty, to sweetness, to peace and construction and yes is the word to everythingto pain, to torture, to war and destruction. Just choose, make up your mind before after is no more, time stops while another time is coming.So I choosed that the world is perfect in every way. We re for something better and we can find sweetness in any kind act we do or we see. Unfortunately routine draw us down and we forget to live. Life is not just an other Friday night out and get drunk by any mix of alcohol which is an other day's routine. What do we know about sounds... Do we remember how we sound... when was the last time that we heard ourselves.... Our body, our heart, our breath. When I frist read that experiment in facebook and then on-line article from the newspaper I had been shocked of what we become... It's not only the arts, it's everything. We avoid to speak openly to our friends. We don't call someone and say "hey how re you...let's go for a walk". Do we play with our kids(I dont have one but I have a god child which I miss). We synchronize everything according to our time schedule. We should organize everything according to our needs. Yes I can be late in my work because I saw a beautifull woman and I stop to say hi. Yes I can postpone an other drunk fest because I need to see my best friend. Thank you all of you for what you post. I found them all uniquely amazing. So to my eyes you all re uniquely amazing. even the posts of mrspeachpear. I ll post to the other topic what i have inside my bag ok ?

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  • one4thetaking

    one4thetaking

    13 years ago

    Is it that we have allowed ourselves to be seduced by the mobile phone, the I Pad and the rest of the world of mobile technology?The mobile phone rings and we allow ourselves to feel compelled to answer it instead of switching it off. I remember growing up disappearing into the bush behind our place in suburban Sydney for hours at a time, whole days sometimes, the ring of a hand bell was the portable communication device my mother used to let us know when tea was on the table. Nowadays we call carry mobile devices and people expect you to be available at all timesTry a mobile phone detox, switch it on for 5 minutes twice a day and see how long before you give in to your cravings.Lets start a movement to slow the world down and realise its OK to stop to smell the roses (without having to answer the phone)My two bobs worth for what its worth

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    I wonder whether the results of this experiment might have been different had the venue and circumstances been altered. In our modern times, our lives are structured around our obligations. I have seen buskers draw crowds on George Street, Sydney, in the evenings and on Circular Quay. Perhaps, had these people had time to spare, they may have chosen to spend it listening to Mr. Bell. Not everyone appreciates Bach these days but I expect a less hectic venue at a less hectic time of day would have given better results than were achieved. Perhaps a more interesting and telling result would have come from a more extensive experiment. Take half a dozen street performers from different fields and place them in different quadrants of Hyde Park on a Saturday afternoon. Aside from Joshua Bell, you could have a magician, a portrait artist, a country/folk singer/guitarist, Jimmy Barnes and Ms_D pole dancing. I'm sure you would find a great many more people stopping to spectate and it would be interesting to see who drew the greatest crowd.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    Are you getting all postmodern on us??? That was soooooo last decade ;-)

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    SPANK!!!

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    ...called 'The Winds of Turbulence' written by Howard Putnam who took Southwest Airlines from the brink of bankruptcy to being one of the most respected companies in the industry in very short order. He did this not by dictate but by demonstration, rolling up his sleeves and diving head first into the business and most often completely unknown by those around him...leadership by example. This. I believe was the foundation for the show 'Undercover Boss' although an appalling comparison.I had the rare opportunity to meet Mr. Putnam a few years ago and asked about his experiences...he laughed when he said the biggest problem they had was not the people but rather those folks in the boardroom. I think he rather enjoyed recanting some of tales of the heads that rolled....what are we missing, understanding those around us who are the real success stories in all that they do.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    Lovely post. KK xx

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    Christos13 Beautiful post. These experiements are always great reminders to us all to relax, take a breath and soak up the world through all our senses. Gives us a moment to reflect and reconnect. I work long hours and most nights I walk for an hour around a lake and surrounding bushland - I see birds, little fury animals, snakes, and many types of trees and wild flowers. Whilst I'm walking the sun is setting through the foliage and it is like being in a magical world. I'm a tactile person and I often stop to touch the different types of leaves and run my hands over the bark. I find it is a way to physically and psychologically step away from corporate life before entering into my personal free time. x

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    It makes you think about our priorities doesn't it. What really are our priorities if we cannot take a few minutes to appreciate beauty wherever it is found and not just at a convenient time. In this world beauty surrounds us. It could be a smile, something as magical as Bach's music, two lovers kissing, the feel of a wave rushing over you at the beach, a forest. Even the feel of the sun on your shoulders. In a world with so much ugliness, of thought, deed and aesthetics...there is still wonderful beauty to be beheld all around us. I am resolved to loon a little deeper :)

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    You ask what do I miss in my life? Maybe only falling in love again But then is falling in love not only a fantasy triggered through our chemical reaction in our bodies? Ohh, I smell the roses, I can hear the birds sing and the laughter of a child. I look into the faces of my two sons and see the love for each other in their eyes, I see the warms and expression on their faces and hear the giggles when they are together. I also forget all this in the daily stressed work life I have and have to make myself sit down and be calm and still…it’s a very, very hard task to do, because we are in such a rut busy life. All our little gadgets we invented should have made life easier and more comfortable but I feel it drives us faster and faster instead of letting us have time. One person said we forget to interact with each other and he is right. We forget to do this, we are getting more and more frightened to touch hug one another in daily life to smile and touch a person we freaking out., and see behind everything a sexual connotation or thread. I am thinking we are isolating real life more and more from our minds. I listen to the sounds of life, I make compliment, I look into peoples eyes, I make jokes and I touch…….its wonderful to do and it is not only a benefit to me. I liked your topic very much it made me sit down and think, thank you very much.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    one4thetaking had it right I think, with his mention of getting lost in technology.Catching public transport into the city daily exposes you to a lot of different people and the majority have headphones on, and phone/tablet in front of them, cutting off two pretty important senses for noticing what's going on around. That's OK though, someone will post pics of the beautiful stuff on Pinterest or tumblr or twitter or fb, or they'll record it and it will go upon soundcloud or youtube for your pleasure.A post was made on here probably well over a year ago now, about going out and spending the day looking at people and finding something beautiful about each person you came across. It's a truly wonderful exercise. Maybe we could do the same experiment with the things around us as well as the people?Weeds growing through cracks in concrete can be beautiful, and swirling leaves on the road, the effort Mrs Jones takes down the road with her garden, the joy in a toddlers laugh on the bus (you would be surprised how many people scowl at this). There is beauty in the mundane as well as the extraordinary, and I know I fail to appreciate all of those small things anywhere near as often as I should.Will go out this morning with eyes wide open.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    Quoting 'Litonya' I listen to the sounds of life, I make compliment, I look into peoples eyes, I make jokes and I touch…….its wonderful to do and it is not only a benefit to me. I liked your topic very much it made me sit down and think, thank you very much. Litonya, you write the loveliest things on these forums. You are beautiful.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    I've had a bit of an epiphany of late about these same things. In conversation with a friend recently she said that people don't change unless something steers them in a different direction, and it's true. Going through a life altering event is sometimes the only way people awaken to themselves and smell the roses. Great post christos

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  • On_Safari

    On_Safari

    13 years ago

    Mr Putnam and I would have had alot in common whilst discussing the futility of bored rooms. Yes I meant bored rooms!! Soinds like an entirely interesting man. And you, what are you like Sir?

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    It has often been said that in an executive capacity, one must choose a 'management style' that suits the needs of business and will eventually determine the success or failure of the business depending upon the parameters that the Executive Director places around the chosen style...unfortunately and unless one is more innovative, these choices have seemingly been limited to 'top down' or 'bottom up'. I agree with you that a Board can be Boring, that said innovation has lead to the elimination of some corporate structures depending upon the nature, style and of course the domicile perhaps more globally of these entities...thus I have chosen to pursue my businesses in a much different way, eliminating the need for a boring board room and operating under the regime of a true open door policy with opportunities to interact directly with everyone involved in my businesses be they suppliers, designers, engineers, staff and perhaps even more importantly...the consumers directly. Quoting 'On_Safari' And you, what are you like Sir? I have found a blended and quite happy medium of both styles, thus 'top down and bottom up'....you are welcome to step into my office any time you like, please do close and lock the door behind you.In keeping with the spirit of this thread, what would we be missing? Very little I promise you, top down and bottom up...the opportunity to interact with and reward appropriately those around us often goes missing.I can assure you once the door locks...I would miss nothing.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    if many of those people really missed it at all but simply took in what they could and savoured it for the whole day, returning in the evening to be wistfully disappointed.

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    13 years ago

    I can say that i have music on all the time and its very rare I watch TV these days. I love how music can make you re live memories or lighten your soul. I'd be lost without it and I can say if I hear something at any time of the day or night. That I love the sound of I will stop and listen.If you would ever like to experience a movie with great music and a wonderful story please watch "August Rush".

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