Empty spaces lead to strong minds, part 2

We went to this little church a couple of years ago. Please understand that I am NOT making fun of the pianist. She was very talented. She played the way she wanted to and I’m sure she’s received her fair share of comments from those who like her style. Had it not been for what I’d just read and my thirst for quiet and serenity, I might have enjoyed it myself.

But I didn’t.

Here’s what happened. Every song sounded exactly the same. I sat for a few minutes listening to her and thinking,” Wow, she sure covers all the keys”.

Then as I continued to listen, it dawned on me. Her fingers never took a rest. I mean literally. There was never a pause, never a nano-second of quiet.

She filled in every second with notes and after just a few minutes, I quit listening. I am a pianist myself and knew what she was doing. I have done it myself and realize now I was just as guilty.

Any great piece of music is considered great because of its variety. Staccato notes. elongated notes. Runs. Trills. Rests.  Change of rhythm. It’s the variety that makes a musical composition a great composition.

Music is emotional. It’s slow and sad, fast and happy. Music sets the tone for how we feel when we’re watching a movie. Some movies would never get a second-run were it not for the music.

Our lives are much the same.

It’s the staccato notes that gives our lives a certain richness. But unless we include the “spaces” (the music “rests”), are lives just become constant noise. We live in staccato mode.

We consider it wasteful to substitute a rest for a staccato note. And I can guarantee that if we’re too busy to listen to ourselves, we’re not listening to anyone else either.

This isn’t about resting as in resting from physical activity. It’s about resting within ourselves.

Take some time today and just listen to your own heart. You might be surprised what you hear.

God bless and I hope you have a good day.