Lately, as my life has seemed to fall apart and then come together again, I have been constantly amazed by the way music can always soothe me and make me happy, even in the darkest times. No matter how I am feeling, I can find a song to make me feel understood, loved, happy, joyous, and pacified.
What is it about music that makes it such a balm for the soul? I can only believe that God meant it to be that way. He knew that in times when we were most lost, when we most need Him, His spirit would always be able to be felt through music. Every time I hear a hymn of praise, I can feel His loving arms around me, and I am filled to bursting with gratitude and a certainty in my eternal purpose. It makes my heart sing, and I feel that no matter what trials I have to go through i life, I will never have to endure them alone.
Because I have always had an affinity for music and I was raised in a particularly musical home, I feel that I am uniquely suited to share that love with others. I very much dislike singing for large groups, and I have pretty bad nerves when I do decide to do it. But I know that in some small way, I am helping others to feel the love of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father. And so occasionally I will volunteer to sing for holidays or other things. I recently consented to sing at the ward Christmas party and in Sacrament meeting. Although I know my hands will start going numb from nerves, I am grateful that I was blessed with the talent of sharing the love of God with others through music, and I hope to continue to do so for many years to come!
Now, just for grins and giggles, I thought I would list some of my favorite songs, both sacred and secular:
Hymns:
1. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (Who doesn't like this one? I mean, seriously.)
2. Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy-This is a men's hymn, and I love the message it has of the merciful nature of God.
3. Lead Kindly Light-I have always loved this one.
4. All Creatures of Our God and King-I once sang a 4-part women's harmony on this song, and it was possibly one of the most beautiful arrangements of any song I have ever heard.
5. How Can I Keep From Singing-It's just uplifting, and perfectly puts in words how music can lift us and bring light into darkness.
Secular (I have new favorite songs on an almost weekly basis, so this changes a lot, but right now this list is accurate):
1. Dashboard Confessional-You Have Stolen My Heart (If you think you might be in love but don't know, listen to this song, and you will.)
2. Young The Giant-Cough Syrup (Just the right amount of melancholy...)
3. Ellie Goulding-Lights (This one just makes me inexplicably happy).
4. Death Cab For Cutie-You Are a Tourist (Although I actually love almost every song they've ever done. LOVE.)
5. John Mayer-Assassin
6. The Fray-Heartbeat
7. Coldplay-Paradise
Of course, there are innumerable songs that I have left off of both lists for the sake of not having a billion-page post, but rest assured that my love of all types of music continues to grow! What is your favorite song this week? Inquiring minds would like to know! ;)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
When one door closes...
...another inevitably opens! So, a quick update on the past two weeks:
1. I quit my job.
2. I was very upset about quitting, but it needed to be done. I was a little depressed about it for a day or so, but decided to press forward and look for something new!
3. I found a new job! I'll be working at a daycare as the full-time cook.
4. I got released as the FHE coordinator in my ward, and was called as a Relief Society teacher. I am so excited to be a teacher! I am really looking forward to having a calling that I only have to think about once every month, haha.
5. I have been really, really happy for the first time in a long time.
6. I have been sick for about two months now, mostly from stress, and I have finally been feeling better! I didn't realize just how much it was draining me to be chronically ill until I started getting better.
That's all for now! I know, not much. But it isn't really one of those long updates that I go into detail with...and yes I know that I hardly ever go into detail, but honestly, of the two people that read this blog, you all mostly know what is going on anyway. ;)
1. I quit my job.
2. I was very upset about quitting, but it needed to be done. I was a little depressed about it for a day or so, but decided to press forward and look for something new!
3. I found a new job! I'll be working at a daycare as the full-time cook.
4. I got released as the FHE coordinator in my ward, and was called as a Relief Society teacher. I am so excited to be a teacher! I am really looking forward to having a calling that I only have to think about once every month, haha.
5. I have been really, really happy for the first time in a long time.
6. I have been sick for about two months now, mostly from stress, and I have finally been feeling better! I didn't realize just how much it was draining me to be chronically ill until I started getting better.
That's all for now! I know, not much. But it isn't really one of those long updates that I go into detail with...and yes I know that I hardly ever go into detail, but honestly, of the two people that read this blog, you all mostly know what is going on anyway. ;)
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