The Pianist
In the lobby of Houston Methodist Hospital, there is a piano, and there is a pianist.
He is there almost every day, playing different pieces. People come and go, few stop to listen; yet he remains seated at the piano, quiet melodies flowing from his fingertips. He doesn't ask whether anyone is listening. He simply plays.
That music sweeps away my day's fatigue, and perhaps soothes the sorrow in some patient's heart. A piano in a bustling lobby seems lonely, but within that loneliness there is a beauty.
I think of the words from Ecclesiastes:
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.
Life is uncertain. Effort does not guarantee reward; talent may never be seen. So why does this pianist keep playing?
Perhaps he knows another truth:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Where no one applauds, it does not mean no one sees. Every hidden act of goodness, God remembers.
Can I play my part well when there is no applause? If I no longer live for applause, then I can.
Houston Methodist的大厅里，有一架钢琴，也有一位钢琴师。
他几乎每天都在那里，弹奏着不同的曲子。人来人往，鲜有人驻足聆听；他却始终端坐琴前，任安静的旋律从指尖流淌。他似乎没有注意是否有听众。
我非常疲惫的时候，会去那边坐坐，如果听到他的演奏，我会轻松很多。 当病人和家属经过大厅的时候，或许也是同样的感受。喧闹的大厅里，一架钢琴看似孤独，然而在这孤独里面，有一种美。
时间积累久了之后，有一天我想起《传道书》中的话：
快跑的未必能赢，力战的未必得胜，智慧的未必得粮食，明哲的未必得资财，灵巧的未必得喜悦；所临到众人的是在乎当时的机会。
人生无常。努力未必有回报，才华或许永远不被人看见。我时常想，这位钢琴师为什么还可以一直专注而享受的演奏下去呢？即使没有观众
因为自己内向，没去问过他，或许他是这样想的：
敬畏神，谨守他的诫命，这是人所当尽的本分。因为人所做的事，连一切隐藏的事，无论是善是恶，神都必审问。
无人喝彩之处，并不意味着无人看见。每一件隐藏的善行，神都记念。
倘若不再为掌声而活，答案=可以。