Pay attention to the beautiful

The organist at my church recently retired after playing the most beautiful music. For 45 years at the same church.

I have listened to her for many Sundays since I joined this church more than 25 years ago. Sometimes I listened attentively, and sometimes I listened not quite as attentively. Often I took her beautiful music for granted.

As I sat and listened during her last Sunday, I was so aware of everything she played—special selections, but also the music before the service began, during the offertory and after the service was over.

I realized that I often am so absorbed in my own world that I neglect to pay attention to all of the ordinary beauty that surrounds me—in the music I hear, the trees in my yard, the people I meet.
–Joy