Why Does the Music I Listen to Matter?

One reason why the music we listen to is important is that music can and does affect how we feel; therefore, music affects our ability to recognize the Holy Ghost. For the Strength of Youth teaches, “Unworthy music may seem harmless, but it can have evil effects on your mind and spirit.” The prophets specifically tell us to “pay attention to how you feel when you are listening” to music. If you don’t think music affects how you feel, ask yourself why movie producers spend so much time and money on the musical score. How different would the movie Jaws be if the theme song for Mr. Rogers Neighborhood pops on when the shark fin pops up? It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor . . .Hello, neighbor . . . (as the shark opens his mouth on the unsuspecting victim). That simple difference in music changes the moment from nail-biting suspense to laugh-out-loud comedy.

What We Watch Influences How We Act

There is an old saying, “Monkey see, monkey do.” That is not only true for primates, but also for people as well. For the Strength of Youth says, “Whatever you read . . . or look at has an effect on you.”

One reason why it is so important to filter what we watch is because what we see triggers what we think, what we think influences what we desire, what we desire affects our actions, our combined actions determine our character, and our character determines our eternal destiny.

The sad downfall of King David is a startling example of how what people view changes their actions. Though David was a great man, he lost everything due to a moment of weakness that began by looking at something he should not have seen. While on the king’s roof, David beheld Bathsheba “washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon” (2 Samuel 11:2). Instead of looking away and controlling what his eyes beheld, he lusted after her and “sent and inquired after the woman. . . . And she came in unto him, and he lay with her” (2 Samuel 11:3–4). What he saw from the roof created lustful and immoral desires, and those desires led to the sin of adultery, then to the tragic murder of Bathsheba’s husband (see 2 Samuel 11:5–17), and eventually the loss of David’s exaltation (see D&C 132:39). All because he did not control what he watched! We are influenced not only by images we see, but also by the words we read.

Look in the Good of Others

I really like this story from one of our church leaders, for it taught me a lesson that helps me in dealing everyday life's challenges. I can be very impatient even with little things and this sure is a great reminder to stop, look to the good in each member of my family and listen to the spirit who teaches me how to react when I am about to explode :-)!

“…Look for the good in each person, and mention it in a sincere and consistent way. It is amazing how hearts can be softened, testimonies implanted, and relationships improved when we begin to give a daily portion of heartfelt appreciation. It has a marvelous effect on preparing the spirit. Even mentioning a little thing will have a positive effect. It usually isn’t earth-shaking-just a simple act or attribute that will blossom and be multiplied if it is noticed. (By the way, it may take you all day to find something, but it is there.) One day after school, one of our daughters came into a teenage son’s room. It looked as if a big wind had blown through. He was sitting in the midst of it all. She felt the anger rising within, but remembered her resolution to look for the good. Searching desperately, her eye finally looked upward. ‘Your ceiling’s really clean, Adam!’ she was able to say quite honestly. He laughed; he got the message, and he cleaned up the room.”

H. Burke Peterson,
Ensign, May 1990

Be Yourself!

Ever since I was a little kid, I didn't want to be me. I wanted to be Billie Widdleton and Billie Widdleton didn't even like me. I walked like he walked, I talked like he talked, and I signed up for the same high school he signed up for...which was when Billie changed. He began to hang around Herby Verderman. He walked like Herby and he talked like Herby. He mixed me all up! I began to walk like Billie Widdleton, walking and talking like Herby Venderman. And then it dawned on me that Herby Vanderman walked and talked like Joey Haverlin. And Joey walked and talked like Corky Sabinson. So here I am walking and talking like Billie Widdleton's imitation of Herby Vanderman's version of Joey Haverlin, trying to walk and talk like Corky Sabinson. And who do you think Corky Sabinson is always walking and talking like, of all people: Doepy Willington, that little pest who walks and talks like ME!

-Unknown Author-

I got this thought from a friend at church; and thought it is very nice thing to think about as we try to discover ourselves and our full potential to become what we want to be and most importantly, what God wants us to become. It is very important to be who we are and not what others want us to become. It is indeed important what God think of us, than what people would think of us.

Thoughts from the Scriptures

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home."

Service is the product of LOVE; so long as we Love, we Serve."

"Look unto me in every thought,doubt not, fear not." ~~God~~

I just thought of sharing it with.... You!

Road Rage!

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.

He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said 'I'm very sorry for this mistake.' You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do?' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life!' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School!' bumper stickers, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk; so naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car.
Priceless!!!!

I just thought to share it with you!

Food for the Soul

I am a person who loves quotations and food for the thought. They make me feel inspired and uplifted. They motivates me to be a better person, wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, aunt and sister in- law; and most of all... a daughter of our Heavenly Father.

In all of living have much fun and laughter.
Life is to be enjoyed not just endured.

-Gordon B. Hinckley-

The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the most of everything.
- Unkown-

Threads of Love...

"While few human challenges are greater than that of being good parents, few opportunities offer greater potential for joy. Surely no more important work is to be done in this world than preparing our children to be God-fearing, happy, honorable, and productive."