In a station of the metro

I caught a wonderful link tonight from Lisa's blog to a Washington Post article about virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell busking in the L'Enfant Plaza metro stop in DC.  The gig was for Bell to play incognito during morning rush hour to see how passerby would react.

Predictably, nearly everyone brushed hurriedly past, rushing to make their morning meetings.  So it goes.  The only rapt demographic were children, who had to be dragged away by their parents.  After learning of the ruse, I love what Sheron Parker says of her son, who resisted being pulled off and craned his neck to continue watching--"Evan is very smart!"

I've recently been experimenting with living slower in New York.  I've taken to walking slower, not rushing, caring less when I'm late or when I'm early.  I find that I notice more stuff along my way.  I find that I empathize easier with others when they drift into my mind.  It's simple, and it's powerful.

What's more, you get to watch the world rushing around you, and you feel pretty special being up and out of it.  Like when you're under an awning, a few steps in out of the rain, and it's pouring inches away.  Sure, maybe you'll have to head out and get wet again soon, but it's nice for a while, no?

And anyhow, we're pretty much making this whole thing up for ourselves anyway.  Why not write yourself a better part?  I hope someday I'll be wise enough to sit down and listen when I hear a great violinist.