Too Busy to Stop and Hear the Music?

Too Busy to Stop and Hear the Music?

Recently I was sent an e-mail, that told the story of a social experiment conducted by the Washington Post in 2007. The story, a true one, was of musician Josh Bell, standing in the Washington DC Metro station playing his $3.5 million violin, for 45 minutes in the early morning. He made a total of $32 and only six people stopped, stood and listened for a very short while, 20 gave money but never even slowed their pace. Most interested were children, who were hurried on by parents, but other than that no one stopped or cared when the music stopped. Josh Bell plays to sold out concert halls, at a minimum of $100 per ticket.
Why?
Was it just the inappropriate hour, do we miss out because we are so focused on the task ahead?
Do we really know what talent is? Do we miss the amazing talent in front of us if it is not in the ‘right’ context?
The article ended with this thought…

‘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 ever made . . .
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?’

It seemed a very powerful question and I wondered if I would stop. At first I thought “of course I would” but the truth is, if 2000 people walked by, what would make me respond differently?
I am also busy, focused and often rushing, wondering how I got where I was going as if the car drove itself.

Recognising the stress, and time constraints we all live by, it’s no wonder that we do so much on autopilot.
We multitask ourselves, right over all the bliss we are working towards missing out on even the free gifts, like family, friends, beaches and views. There is just no time!!

Creating time, was a fascinating concept, because I was convinced there was none. I also realised how much time we fill with excuses, so that we don’t really need to look deeply at the trouble spots in our lives. Some excuses even sound valid, like I had to clean the house before I wrote this. It couldn’t wait? Hmm some may smell procrastination.
Others look valid too, “I had to work late“. What, for the last 10 years? Maybe there is a partner problem you are not willing to look at.
“I have put on weight eating junk because I don’t have time to cook or pack lunch!” Will you have plenty time when your body shuts down?

Day’s turn into weeks and weeks into months and before you know it years have passed by and still you are in the same predicament. Still no time to smell the roses, missing the beauty and magic in the eyes of your children, the smile from your partner or the beauty around you. Always crazy busy but nothing to show for it. Missing out and lost in a shadow of what you expected from life.

Is this what you want for the rest of your life?
Are you fed up and frustrated that you are your own worst saboteur?
Are you always talking about changing, finding balance but no idea how?
Time to change from talk to action? I have a plan.

Close your eyes and take yourself back to high school when you and your friends imagined your adult life, what dream did you dream for yourself? Is it what you have now?

If you take an overall look at where you are now on a scale of 1-10, 10 being fantastic, where would that be.?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

How’s your health?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

How’s your relationship?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

How’s your finances

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

If any of these fall below a 10 you can improve them and improve your life, if you took the first step and did the basic evaluation above. Your life can be everything you imagine for yourself . Take the next step and call me. To have a new different outcome you need to do things differently and we can with real tools, improve every aspect of your life. This is just the beginning.

If you would like to respond to this article email Amanda at lifeinperspective@xtra.co.nz or phone on 09 5754647 or mobile 021 125 7775 Read Amanda's blog at www.life-in-perspective.com