Saturday, July 18, 2009

This is really something to think about...

The following was sent to me in an email by a friend, Charles Transue. This really had an impact on me. I'm not sure if he wrote it (probably, since he's a very gifted writer) or if he copied it from somewhere else. He and I took a course many years ago called Wisdom. One of the basic concepts of the course is that part of ancient Wisdom says that we are each moved by mainly one of three things: Beauty, Truth or Goodness. In order for us to be joyful and fully alive, we must follow it. I discovered that I am definitely moved by Beauty and must follow Her to be whole, but I also know how oblivious I can become to hearing Her Voice. I wonder how many who did stop to listen, or tried to such as the children, were followers of beauty as well?

Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After 3 minutes 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. 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as 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. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.


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.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. 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 $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out 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 people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments .....

How many other things are we missing?

Friday, July 17, 2009

Another Etsy Front Page Feature

Wow... Glint Gear is very grateful for the exposure we've gotten this month! I discovered after seeing a huge jump in Etsy Hearts that Glint Gear was on the front page again! Twice in one month. We are gushing and thank everyone for your support! I know I haven't updated much, and I have some cool stuff to share. I promise more soon!


Friday, July 3, 2009

Glint Gear made the Etsy Front Page this morning!!

Woo hoo! I noticed it at 8am CST. This has been a goal and dream of mine! In Etsy-land, it's a big fricken deal!!!