The Shock and Puzzlement of 1952 is Comfort for Today

The pianist on stage approached his piano, sat down and looked as though he was about to start playing a new piece of music.

But then he closed the keyboard lid.

He placed a stop watch on the piano and stared at it.

Then he just sat there. In silence. And did nothing.

For a whole 4 minutes and 33 seconds - it seemed like an eternity. 

The audience scratched their heads trying to figure out what was wrong.

After the 1952 performance, the audience was interviewed by a reporter. Many said they thought it was a joke. Some said it was ridicules. Others confessed that they just did not understand. 

But nothing at all was wrong. The composer, John Cage had written his "music" to highlight the beauty of silence. Cage contended that by not playing the piano, the audience would be able to hear their heartbeats, their own breathing, and the little noises of the auditorium - as a reminder that music is really all around us. And that "quiet" is a form of music too, just as powerful in soothing the soul.

Cage named his song 4'33" (4 minutes and 33 seconds). 

Today, in a world polluted with noise - where everyone is talking and nobody is listening, we need 433. To ponder, contemplate, relax and "feel" the miracle that is us. Rather than focusing on all that is wrong in the world, 433 can allow us to also see what is right.

We need 433 to also shock us back into ourselves. For there are answers inside of us. Deep within, we shall find peace, contentment and yes - God.

Thank you John Cage.

For the reminder that silence is indeed golden.

Cory Galbraith is an author and business owner of virtualwebcasting.com