Thoughts on Reality

On my way to work yesterday I saw a man sitting on the street playing his recorder; he had the book with the notes for the song in his lap. It was plain that he hadn’t played much prior to this performance, as it didn’t really sound very good. After I’d walked past him the recorder went silent and he continued the song by singing in a loud and rough voice. Apparently singing wasn’t one of his talents either. But what he lacked in musical prowess he made up for in courage; he was playing and singing for money even though he had no talent whatsoever.

These are the people that intrigue me, fascinate me and inspire me. Much can probably be said about his life and why he’s sitting on a street corner, performing for everyone and no one. And seen with the eyes of society, the man is a failure of a citizen. But to me this displays more courage than starting your own company, and it’s more inspiring than hearing a successful person preaching about how SHe got there. Here is a man who – despite the total lack of talent – decides he’ll do his best with what he has.

I hope I get to hear his singing again.