Proof
Greetings, faithful and shamefully unrewarded visitors.
I'm smart. I know that because I get good grades. More importantly, you know it because I get good grades. And because I'm probably going to wear a ribbon around my neck when I walk across the platform in a few weeks to get a piece of paper to prove how smart I am. And I'll reference some Latin terms and that paper for the rest of my life on the paper I send to businesses to prove how valuable I should be to them. Who cares that I can't even tell you what those latin words mean.
Notice the pattern?
I spent a little while Wednesday night reading a rather fascinating article about Joshua Bell playing his violin in the L'Enfant Plaza metro station (1 referral point to Brier). The article explored the various ways in which people missed opportunities to enjoy his genius. Confusion oozes from the author's consideration of the situation. His consternation is rooted firmly in his understanding that Joshua Bell is a master, and that he was playing masterful music. Certainly Joshua Bell could not have failed in an attempt to influence people--he's a validated genius. The crowd just missed it.
Two or three people stopped and enjoyed the masterful public concert, so we know they didn't miss anything. Except the rhythm of the human organism revolving upon itself on the platform. And the innocence of the child clinging desperately to his mother while straining to absorb the station's ethos. And the simple beauty of the light refracted onto the ceiling by the oscillating glass doors.
But they didn't win the Avery Fisher prize, so they don't count.
I'm smart. I know that because I get good grades. More importantly, you know it because I get good grades. And because I'm probably going to wear a ribbon around my neck when I walk across the platform in a few weeks to get a piece of paper to prove how smart I am. And I'll reference some Latin terms and that paper for the rest of my life on the paper I send to businesses to prove how valuable I should be to them. Who cares that I can't even tell you what those latin words mean.
Notice the pattern?
I spent a little while Wednesday night reading a rather fascinating article about Joshua Bell playing his violin in the L'Enfant Plaza metro station (1 referral point to Brier). The article explored the various ways in which people missed opportunities to enjoy his genius. Confusion oozes from the author's consideration of the situation. His consternation is rooted firmly in his understanding that Joshua Bell is a master, and that he was playing masterful music. Certainly Joshua Bell could not have failed in an attempt to influence people--he's a validated genius. The crowd just missed it.
Two or three people stopped and enjoyed the masterful public concert, so we know they didn't miss anything. Except the rhythm of the human organism revolving upon itself on the platform. And the innocence of the child clinging desperately to his mother while straining to absorb the station's ethos. And the simple beauty of the light refracted onto the ceiling by the oscillating glass doors.
But they didn't win the Avery Fisher prize, so they don't count.
At 10:19 PM,
The Washington Post noticed-but I guess they don't count either. But you're right, greatness isn't measured by who notices it, at least it shouldn't be. It's a privilege to be recognized as great, but then you have to own up to it. I think I'd rather be unrecognized than fall short.
At 4:24 PM,
That is how so many great people are.. they are unnoticed and are the ones that do the things most people walk past. Look at godly men of the Faith.. some of the greats go unnoticed.. the ones that quietly read the bible, tell others of Christ, clean the church, help the needy and walk humbly before God. These men of Christ(and women) go unnoticed by the mass and yet they are heroes of the faith.
At 11:27 PM,
I don't really have a comment about your blog, but I just wanted to say hi and congrats on graduating!! My the Lord bless you as you seek to serve Him in whatever you do!!! Don't forget all your "old" college friends:-) Look me up sometime!
At 10:32 AM,
happy gradumatation. oh, posting never hurt anyone
At 10:07 PM,
That's interesting. I found that article off of Joshua Harris' blog probably a day or two after it was put in the Washington Post. Sorry Brier, no reference point for you from me, too. lol However, I have to admit, minus certainly worldly aspects of the article, it was a rather well written article, and the videos were hilarious to watch given people had no clue who they were passing by or what they were listening to. Sadly, as Joy pointed out, we as Christians are few too often like this, which was the point of Harris' blog post. I believe the title of it was, "Do you know who you just passed by?"
Congrats on graduating. You came in when I was a Junior and you beat me. :-)