Our Personal Challenge of Rotary in 2012

What is our challenge in the year 2012 in respect of our commitment to Rotary. Granted Rotary life must always take third place behind our commitments to 1- family – 2 - to our business life. But if we are to be sincere to the principles of Rotary –“The Four Way Test” then let us endeavour to find a place in our busy lives and appreciate the challenges that daily come our way and the opportunity to display “The Four Way Test”. It’s how re react to the daily challenges that come our way whereby we can make a difference. I believe that our contract with Rotary as a member is to be watchful and on the look out for basic service. I love the true story contained in the Rotary Down Under in the editor, Bob Aiken’s column.

At a Washington D C Metro station on a cold wintry morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During this time, about 2000 people passed by on their way to the station. Only a handful of people-six in fact - stopped and listened for a short while. Several children wanted to stay longer but on each occasion accompanying adults dragged them away. About 20 people gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. The man finished playing and silence took over. No one applauded. There was no recognition. The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. On that cold day, he played one of the most complicated pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3-5 million. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theatre in Boston where seats averaged $100 per ticket!

The theme of this story is “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, on one of the best instruments ever made-how many other obvious things are we missing?”