What are You Missing?

This morning I forwarded an email about an incident at a Metro station in D.C. World famous violinist Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world, played on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars one of the most intricate pieces ever written to an audience of over 2,000 commuters. He played for 45 minutes. A few people stopped for a minute or two, some dropped money in the open violin case but almost everyone kept on walking.

The story ends with the question “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, how many other things are we missing?”

That question continued to echo in my mind throughout the morning. I was reminded that it’s not only the things you fail to notice that you miss out on but also the things you fail to do. One by one I was reminded to the things I am missing …..

The sunrise over Bayshore Boulevard –there used to be mornings that I would stop marvel in the beauty of a Florida sunrise and thank God for the blessing of yet another day – haven’t done that in a long time.
Taking the same delight in a fluttering butterfly as my young grandsons do --- (forget experiencing the same squeals of pleasure at finding a garden snake)
Penning a handwritten note to a friend – not an email or text – a handwritten note
And
The joy in receiving and reading a handwritten note
Looking beyond the appearance of the homeless man with his cardboard sign – (note: most times I am very good other times not so much)
Thanking a co-worker for a job well done
Hugs – don’t give or receive enough!
Acknowledging a friend’s words of encouragement and support
Hearing God’s voice (not always audible – but since He is Large and in Charge He speaks to us daily – sometimes we aren’t listening)
Taking the time to do the things I really love

So today, I will take the time to appreciate all that I have been missing and to do what I can to help those around me do the same.