Yes, I've heard this one before. Good one. I know I would have stopped, cause I'm like that. Always the dreamer. But the dreamers create the culture, and art is the most important thing we create.

I realize this particular story isn't new - I've received it a few times over the past couple of years as an email.

The questions are interesting though.  As we move about and do the business of living in a fast-paced world, do we take enough time to reflect on the beauty of the world, the artistry of a piece of exquisite music played by a master or a piece of evocative artwork.

I watch students spilling out of our local high school, many talking on cell phones, listening to ipods....they pass a nice park on their way downtown.  How much of the beauty of the day do they see? 

Is appreciation of beauty something we can still teach, or does it have to be innate?

Personally, I don't know what I would do re: listening to a gifted musician in a crowded subway station.  Depends on how much of a hurry I'm in, I guess.

I have driven my car over to the shoulder of the road on many occasions and stepped out to view a beautiful sunset, a rainbow, or a bird....while other automobiles have whizzed by, oblivious to these moments.

During his interview yesterday, Tiger Woods said the most devastating thing about being in re-hab was the fact he missed his son's first birthday.....

I think it points to how afraid we are open up and trust our own hearts when we're in public. 

  The risks are high.

The little kids knew a good thing when they heard it though!

Interesting and thoughtful thread, Geck.

In one of our busiest malls in Sydney there is a busker who can often be seen and heard playing the violin. He is always dressed in full evening dress - and has the demeanour of one performing at the Opera House. There are no antics to attract a crowd, he simply plays - seemingly lost in the beauty of the music.

It's impossible to ignore this man and his music. Even the busiest seem compelled to stop and listen - if only for a minute. You often sense their reluctance to leave - but folks do have things that must be done.

You are right about the small children. They stop, transfixed - only to be dragged away by harassed mothers with too much shopping to do.

But there is one group that our violinist can depend on. They are the retired. One of the unforeseen advantages of being retired is that time can now be seen as a friend. (In fact, the older one gets, time becomes an increasingly valued friend!)

This is the time to re-connect with your child-like qualities. To re-discover your sense of awe at the wonders of the world that envelop your senses - if only you'll let them.

Perhaps that's why God gave me grandchildren. A few weeks ago now, I was playing hide-and-seek with the four and six years old granddaughters. My step-daughter was watching, and said, "I swear you seem just like another  kid when you play with the girls."

She's right! Just for a delicious moment the years roll back. I contort my arthritic body and hide in some amazing dark places in the yard.

And I must confess to getting pissed off if I catch them peaking!  

I always was a bit of a dreamer but being forced to slow down and eventually take medical retirement has made me stop and appreciate life all the more. Things that many people take for granted I am now thankful for. I know that I too would have stopped!

I think it just illulstrates that in a subway system, we are all on the move.  WE are rushing to work, or home or shopping.  Time is important.

Yet when we decide to spend some leisure time, then we stop to listen to the music.

I have stopped to listen to buskers if I am not in a hurry.  But generally in teh subway i am going somewhere.

But , out a musician in a mall, in a open courtyard with benches and you will see people stop.

Kids stop because they have no concept of the time.  They live in the moment.  If they were on an outing where there was no rush, their parents woudl have stopped too.  But most likely they were on the way to school or day care or home.

Take kids to a zoo, when you have nothing better to do and they will sit and watch the gorillas or whatever for as long as you let them.  When my kids were little we would go to the zoo adn sometimes only see two or three different animals, they were busy watching.  BUt then I had the time to let them do what they wanted at their own speed.

Subway stations, and subways, are a medium, a vehicle in more ways than one if that makes sense. If the medium itself becomes more than the means to get from somewhere to somewhere else it flies a bit in the face of our primary purpose for being there. Can be both unnerving and refreshing.

Or it can be an end unto itself. Ani Difranco has a good line from her song Arrivals Gate: everyone's in a hurry here in purgatory, except for me, I'm where I need to be.

Smote?  Smote is back? wow....amazing...first kjoy, then smote...awesome!

Hi smote. What have you been up to?

Hello! Thank you both for the welcome! Aw. Hm. What have I been up to? In truth I took a step away from Wondercafe as I didn't feel I had the brain power to engage meaningfully. I wouldn't say my brain power has increased necessarily but I'm back, anyhow. :)

reminds me of The Cellest of Sarajevo .........

such a good reminder to take time to appreciate beauty where we find it and to bring beauty to where there is so little......

I am going to look for a "Rita" way to apply this in a practical sense......

Hugs and Thank you

Rita