Listening Well

Harvard professor Arthur Brooks said this about the great composer, Beethoven, “It seems a mystery that Beethoven became more original and brilliant as a composer in inverse proportion to his ability to hear. Deafness freed Beethoven as a composer because he no longer had society’s soundtrack in his ears.” Beethoven gradually went deaf from age 30 to 45. However, he wrote his Ninth Symphony, a genre altering piece (incorporating voices into classical music), after he lost his hearing. He had to listen differently to achieve greatness. How is your hearing?

As we look back on a tragic day in our country’s history, we remember the sacrifice so many made to save lives and how so many helped us move forward with resolve. I remember where I was 21 years ago. I was praying then and continue to pray for our nation.