On a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played several Bach pieces at a metro station in Washington, DC.
During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After a few 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.
A few minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and continued walking, without stopping.
A few minutes later: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
A few minutes later: A toddler stopped, but his mother pulled him along by the hand. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother tugged him along 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 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After approximately 1 hour: He finished playing, and silence fell across the station. Nobody noticed, and not one person applauded. There was no recognition at all.
The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played some of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Just two days before, Joshua Bell played to a sold-out audience at a Boston theater — where the seats averaged $100 each to listen to him play the same music.
Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, and people’s priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
* In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
* If we do happen to notice something beautiful, do we stop to appreciate it?
* Do we recognize talent, in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we don’t take 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…..then, how many other things are we missing as we rush through our lives?
Food for thought.
Yours in success,
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Where You Learn To Be Your Own Guru
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Notes from The Universe
It's the "things" you love most, Tanya, the "things" that are dearest to you, that you often allow to define who you are.
Which explains the sometimes insufferable pain caused by their loss.
A wholly avoidable pain.
Ahhh... so hey, now you know.
The Universe
These daily messages from The Universe come from Mike Dooley's Totally Unique Thoughts (http://www.tut.com), and tend to bring significant messages at appropriate times.
I just returned from a trip to Canada to lay my father to rest at our community church... a trip that I was dreading from the day I moved to Spain more than 3 years ago.
Losing a loved one -- the feeling can't be expressed in words. Mike's note from the universe today reminded me of how fleeting our lives are... and how important it is to dream like we'll live forever, and live like we'll die today.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Which explains the sometimes insufferable pain caused by their loss.
A wholly avoidable pain.
Ahhh... so hey, now you know.
The Universe
These daily messages from The Universe come from Mike Dooley's Totally Unique Thoughts (http://www.tut.com), and tend to bring significant messages at appropriate times.
I just returned from a trip to Canada to lay my father to rest at our community church... a trip that I was dreading from the day I moved to Spain more than 3 years ago.
Losing a loved one -- the feeling can't be expressed in words. Mike's note from the universe today reminded me of how fleeting our lives are... and how important it is to dream like we'll live forever, and live like we'll die today.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Monday, November 15, 2010
Perception
On a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played several Bach pieces over the course of about an hour. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After a few 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 his way.
A few minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and continued walking, without stopping.
A few minutes later: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to the violinist, but then looked at his watch and hurried off.
A few minutes later: A toddler stopped, but his mother pulled him along by the hand. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pulled him along 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.
After about 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After about an hour: The violinist finished playing, and silence fell throughout the station. Nobody noticed, and no-one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played some of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Bell played to a sold-out audience in a Boston theatre where people paid an average of $100 to listen to him play the same music.
Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the DC Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, do we perceive beauty?
*If we see or hear something beautiful, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent, in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we don't 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... then, how many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
Food for thought.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
After a few 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 his way.
A few minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and continued walking, without stopping.
A few minutes later: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to the violinist, but then looked at his watch and hurried off.
A few minutes later: A toddler stopped, but his mother pulled him along by the hand. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pulled him along 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.
After about 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After about an hour: The violinist finished playing, and silence fell throughout the station. Nobody noticed, and no-one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played some of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Bell played to a sold-out audience in a Boston theatre where people paid an average of $100 to listen to him play the same music.
Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the DC Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, do we perceive beauty?
*If we see or hear something beautiful, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent, in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we don't 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... then, how many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
Food for thought.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Remembrance Day
On this Remembrance Day, let's remember the Armed Forces' survivors who live with the hidden wounds of war.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Gratitude
Thinking that is born from despair - thinking that is born from letting our circumstances dictate our lives — is thinking that will impact all of the decisions we make. And, when we’re stuck in that kind of thinking, all of the decisions we make are ultimately going to lead us to more despair.
The alternative is “gratitude.” When we make a conscious decision to maintain “gratitude” thinking, the result is magic.
A grandfather of personal development, Jim Rohn, puts it nicely: “Happiness is neither an accident, nor is it something that you wish for. Happiness is something you design. Learn how to be happy with what you have, while you pursue all that you want.”
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
The alternative is “gratitude.” When we make a conscious decision to maintain “gratitude” thinking, the result is magic.
A grandfather of personal development, Jim Rohn, puts it nicely: “Happiness is neither an accident, nor is it something that you wish for. Happiness is something you design. Learn how to be happy with what you have, while you pursue all that you want.”
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Thursday, September 16, 2010
How Old Are You?
I was talking to a friend the other day, and – while musing on the topic of aging – she said, “I’m 53 + GST.” (GST is the goods and services tax in Canada).
I will be 50 in December, and I sometimes look in the mirror and am surprised to see how my appearance has changed… especially in the last 5 years. I have more wrinkles around my eyes and mouth, and those grooves in my forehead are a heck of a lot more pronounced these days. Even the texture of my hair has changed!
Who I’m seeing in the mirror, though, doesn’t really reflect how I feel. I feel different inside.
Most of us have met people who are 50, but look much older… and vice-versa. Then, there are those people who are 30 or 40 and seem to have the wisdom of someone much older. I call those people the “old souls.”
So, how old are we…. really?
Usually, when I meet someone who looks a lot younger than their age, it’s because they’ve discovered something that inspires them: a dream, a vision that gives them a reason to get up in the morning. They exude energy and enthusiasm.
So, what is that secret elixir that gives someone energy and enthusiasm? It is simple:
It’s our life purpose!
If you are feeling like you’re tired, you have no direction, your life is meaningless, you hate your job, you have no get-up-and-go to do anything, then maybe it’s because you haven’t discovered your passion in life… what your life is really all about.
The good news is… we all have a purpose in life, a purpose that is unique to us. We are born with it. Everyone is born with a purpose. There’s no exception to this.
The problem arises when we don’t discover it, and work towards it.
When you discover it, it will be as if someone turned on a “happiness-switch,” and your life will start to take off.
* You’ll feel more energetic and alive.
* You will be enthusiastic about the day ahead.
* You’ll be motivated to get what you want.
* Creative ideas will start flowing on how to accomplish your purpose.
* Events and coincidences will happen in your favour.
You will begin to love your life.
A great place to start discovering your passion is to start a journal, and write in it every day. The “every” day part is key! Ask yourself questions like:
* Who am I?
* What do I want?
* What am I good at?
* What makes me feel good?
* What do I really LOVE to do?
I look forward to hearing more about your journey.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
I will be 50 in December, and I sometimes look in the mirror and am surprised to see how my appearance has changed… especially in the last 5 years. I have more wrinkles around my eyes and mouth, and those grooves in my forehead are a heck of a lot more pronounced these days. Even the texture of my hair has changed!
Who I’m seeing in the mirror, though, doesn’t really reflect how I feel. I feel different inside.
Most of us have met people who are 50, but look much older… and vice-versa. Then, there are those people who are 30 or 40 and seem to have the wisdom of someone much older. I call those people the “old souls.”
So, how old are we…. really?
Usually, when I meet someone who looks a lot younger than their age, it’s because they’ve discovered something that inspires them: a dream, a vision that gives them a reason to get up in the morning. They exude energy and enthusiasm.
So, what is that secret elixir that gives someone energy and enthusiasm? It is simple:
It’s our life purpose!
If you are feeling like you’re tired, you have no direction, your life is meaningless, you hate your job, you have no get-up-and-go to do anything, then maybe it’s because you haven’t discovered your passion in life… what your life is really all about.
The good news is… we all have a purpose in life, a purpose that is unique to us. We are born with it. Everyone is born with a purpose. There’s no exception to this.
The problem arises when we don’t discover it, and work towards it.
When you discover it, it will be as if someone turned on a “happiness-switch,” and your life will start to take off.
* You’ll feel more energetic and alive.
* You will be enthusiastic about the day ahead.
* You’ll be motivated to get what you want.
* Creative ideas will start flowing on how to accomplish your purpose.
* Events and coincidences will happen in your favour.
You will begin to love your life.
A great place to start discovering your passion is to start a journal, and write in it every day. The “every” day part is key! Ask yourself questions like:
* Who am I?
* What do I want?
* What am I good at?
* What makes me feel good?
* What do I really LOVE to do?
I look forward to hearing more about your journey.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
God and Man
I'm a huge fan of Esther Hicks/Abraham, whose work inspired the book and movie, The Secret. Have a look/listen to this explanation of God.
A wonderful exercise to get in touch with yourself/your god is a 5-minute writing exercise. I encourage you to do this every day, to really peel through the layers of what might be holding you back from attaining what you truly desire.
On the top of a clean sheet of paper, write: What is really true about me is...
Start writing for 5 minutes, and don't let your pen leave the page. If your mind is blank, write my mind is blank... if you don't know how you're feeling, write I don't know how I'm feeling, etc., etc., etc. Just don't stop writing for 5 minutes.
At the end of 5 minutes, read over what you've written and underline anything that you find significant. Over time, you will be amazed at the clarity you receive.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
A wonderful exercise to get in touch with yourself/your god is a 5-minute writing exercise. I encourage you to do this every day, to really peel through the layers of what might be holding you back from attaining what you truly desire.
On the top of a clean sheet of paper, write: What is really true about me is...
Start writing for 5 minutes, and don't let your pen leave the page. If your mind is blank, write my mind is blank... if you don't know how you're feeling, write I don't know how I'm feeling, etc., etc., etc. Just don't stop writing for 5 minutes.
At the end of 5 minutes, read over what you've written and underline anything that you find significant. Over time, you will be amazed at the clarity you receive.
Til next time,
Tanya
http://www.ProsperedInterests.com/
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