While driving a scenic route through part of the Alps today, we stopped at a viewpoint to take in the majesty of the mountains around us. While our eyes feasted on snowcapped Mount Blanc in the distance, our ears were greeted with the most unexpected sound.

Cowbells! Cows were everywhere in the hills.

If you are not aware, Swiss farmers put a bell on each cow, I assume, in order to find them easily when they roam around in the forest. The bells ding on the necks of the bovines while they nod their heads up and down grazing on lush green grass. From our vista point, we could hear dozens, if not hundreds, of bells chiming throughout the hills.

At first, we didn’t notice the tinkling we were so busy taking in the scenes. But finally someone said, “Listen. Hear the bells!?” We all quieted down and listened. Our jaws dropped. Our eyes lit up. Huge smiles swept across our faces.

The chiming of the random bells was gorgeous. Beautiful! It sounded like different musical bell choirs here and there alongside the hills. Like wind chimes gently sounding in a breeze.

A group of bells would be happily dinging to our right, countered by another group of cheery bells dinging on our left, and all around in between. The hills were alive with music! It was awesome. It was absolutely delightful.

Right where one had expected to find only the quiet of peaks and the stillness of pasture, a musical choir of bells were chiming away a melody of peace and contentment.

I thought of the many times in life when we get our thought so focused on a specific objective, that we miss out on good things happening all around us. We live in a universe of Mind that is filled with signs of wonder and awe. But we have to take time out to listen and hear.

Can you hear the bells of joy chiming from where you stand at this moment? Are you listening? Do you notice?

For the attuned ear, the music is inspiring.

The valley of bells in the early morning light