Autumn's Song

A Story:

Vincent Van Gogh was not always an art­ist. In fact, he wanted to be a
church pastor and was even sent to the Belgian mining community of
Borinage in 1879. He discovered that the miners there endured
deplorable working conditions and poverty-level wages. Their families
were mal­nour­ished and struggled simply to survive. He felt
con­cerned that the small stipend he received from the church allowed
him a moderate life style, which, in contrast to the poor, seemed
unfair.

One cold February evening, while he watched the miners trudging home,
he spotted an old man staggering toward him across the fields, wrapped
in a burlap sack for warmth. Van Gogh immediately laid his own
clothing out on the bed, set aside enough for one change, and
determined to give the rest away. He gave the old man a suit of
clothes and he gave his overcoat to a pregnant woman whose husband had been killed in a min­ing accident. He lived on starvation rations and spent his stipend on food for the miners. When children in one family
contracted typhoid fever, though fever­ish himself, he packed up his
bed and took it to them.

A prosperous family in the community of­fered him free room and board.
But Van Gogh de­clined the offer, stating that it was the final
temp­ta­tion he must reject if he was to faithfully serve his
community of poor miners. He believed that if he wanted them to trust
him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of the love
of God through him, he must Love Them Enough to SHARE with Them.

He was acutely aware of a wide chasm, which can separate words and
actions. He knew that people's lives often speak louder and clearer
than their words. Maybe it was that same knowl­edge that led Francis
of Assisi to frequently re­mind his monks, "Wherever you go, Preach.
- Use W o r d s [Only] IF Necessary."

Today, others will be "listening" carefully to your ac­tions.

Song: Autumn Leaves
Singers: Eva Cassidy & Paula Cole

P(;ACE

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Autumn_Leaves

[hanna14394]

Love it...watch it every day...melts my heart.  many thanks.

[SALLYBALD]

Lovely Pictures...thank you! Too bad they won't allow the music. I enjoyed the post anyway.

[whitelotus555]

Beautifull videoclip & beautifull text also.

Vincent van Gogh's behaviour looks very similar to St. Maarten who's day is celebrated still in Netherlands every year on the 11th of November by giving Children candy to Children (similar to Halloween in USA )

[mpbelgium]

beautifull song and the story behind about Van Gogh is 100% correct.I made a docu-drama about Van Gogh in the Borinage and did 3 years research.Media Projects Belgium

[djmadturk]

song and pictures fantastic and impressive .. 5/5 thanks for broadcasting such a beautiful video..

[mirezwer]

good story, great songs :)

[Hybie]

It must be Eva Cassidy singing here. Beautiful songs and fantastic pictures. I really love autumn/fall. It's an explosion of colores. Breathtaking! Thank you for posting this. I got a friend-invite from you today and of course I'll accept. I'd love to be your friend...

[TeamCannabis]

This is very beautiful, both songs are just perfect, and wonderfully done! The pictures are superb and ignite a fire in the soul! The message in the description is interesting, and poignant, insightful, and important, Thank You very much, for sharing your talent, and beautiful mind and heart!...Reg

[ParadiseEarth1]

Very Pretty*****

[Mayka99]

Beautiful video, beautiful song... Thank you :)