Joshua Bell, Cache Valley, and Walmart at Christmas.

"In Washington DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about four minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

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

At ten minutes, a three-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At forty-five minutes: The musician played continuously. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After one hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest 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 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

If so, do we stop to appreciate it?

Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

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?"
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It's that time of year again.
Finals are around the corner.
Lurking.
Haunting.
Threatening.
Sneering.
My anxiety level is high.
My emotions are fried.
My sleep level is suffering.
My cupboards are getting more bare by the second.
And my stomach is still a bottomless pit.

My Christmas list is in. My planner is highlighted, crossed-off, and to-do listed. My sweats are in full bloom, new pair (or the same pair...ahem...) every day. My makeup is packed. I've taken my bath. Slept in my bathrobe without even brushing my hair. My room is a mess. My textbooks are sold back to the bookstore (...got a whopping $48. Thanks USU.). I ate 5 oreos after dinner and didn't feel bad about it. I had.... a few peppermint white chocolate kisses for breakfast yesterday. Oh and I'm here. Blogging. When I have a million things to do.

So at least I'm right on schedule right?

I need a break. And I don't mean the one that's coming in 5 days. I mean a small one. Right now. To help me make it to the big one. And I'm guessing there just might be a few of you that do too. (Maybe not with finals but how about with endless Christmas lists to check off, presents to wrap, meetings to get to, crafts to make, houses to clean....you get the point)

So let me share a few things I love about living in Cache Valley during this wonderful time of year. You don't see/experience things like this anywhere else...

#1: Guy walking barefoot through a blizzard on campus. Not the season to be a hippie.
#2: Couple walking their pet Alpaca at the Cache Valley Court House. Alpaca? Really?
#3: Sign written on a piece of cardboard stuck in the middle of a field reading: "HAY 7186533"
#4: When the snow plow plows all the snow into one massive block in the middle of your walkway. And you trip on it everyday.
#5: A 40 lb. turkey dying during show and tell for animal week at the children's lab on campus.
#6: Not an empty parking space at any of the 3 Walmart's within 7 miles of each other...the entire Christmas season.
#7: Watching people smile when the temperature rises from 3 to 6 degrees.
#8: Walking outside for fifteen minutes and realizing the smell of cow has already stained your hair and clothes like smoke on a smoker in the 1950's.
#9: Snot freezing during the 6 minutes you are outside walking from your apartment to your class. At 8:00 am.
#10: The D.I. being just as packed as the school parking lot.

So, sometimes, when you're looking, Cache Valley really can rock during finals week.

Finals suck. Blatantly put. But ya know, life is still good. And I don't want to forget that. I want to have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world. I want to truly hear him play some of the finest music ever written, and have eyes to see the most beautiful instrument ever made.
 
I want to stop rushing. Stop stressing. Stop feeling bad for myself when life gets overwhelming. Stop wishing something was different. And start appreciating the music that's playing all around me.

Merry Christmas Joshua Bell. Thanks for reminding us all to slow down and listen during those small in-between moments of our day. Thanks for reminding us what this season really is all about.

Until the last answer's marked,
R.