A friend, John Steiner, recently sent an email that included a quote from the philosopher, physician, theologian, and musician, Dr. Albert Schweitzer. “…Just as the rivers we see are minor compared to underground streams,” Schweitzer said, “So, too, the idealism that is visible is minor compared to what people carry in their hearts unreleased or scarcely released.”
I’ve taught music for almost three decades to students of all ages, cultures, levels of experience and most recently to women with developmental disabilities who are blind, autistic or have Down’s syndrome. (A video of a recent performance will be posted soon.) What I am witnessing confirms that the beauty we carry in our hearts, often unreleased, is far greater than what is apparent.
 
Schweitzer, who won the 1953 Nobel Peace Prize, went on to say that, “Humankind is waiting and longing for those who can accomplish the task of untying what is knotted, and bringing these underground waters to the surface.”  At this holiday season, I believe that if we look closely, if we have faith in the beauty that’s there, hidden below the surface, we will help bring it to light.
For inspiration, here’s a track from my first CD, Pachelbel’s Canon in D

Happy Holidays!