The Rhythm of Life

We all have a song that describes our life similar to one of those 20 minute long symphony pieces where it flows in and out of different tempos transitioning from pianissimo to forte within short and long periods of time. These kind of pieces draw us and and our heart moves with it. They describe a story and paint a picture with each beautiful note. The question is, what kind of music is describing my life? How is my rhythm affecting those listening?

Yes, I believe that music really affects us and those around us. Why is that? I am the kind of person who likes to listen to music that matches my mood. Sunday: spiritual MoTab, EFY, Paul Cardel, etc. Relationship drama: Kelly Clarkson, Hoobastank, Jason Mraz, We the Kings, Jordan Sparks, Good Charlotte, Taylor Swift, etc. Chillin with my friends: Spice Girls (haha), Linkin Park, Cold Play, ABBA, Rascal Flats, Enchanted, etc. Hip hop time: Flo Rider, Rihanna, Jason Derulo, etc. What does listening to music that relays my current emotion do? All it does is emphasize that emotion and make it more prominent. In some cases, that could be healthy. In other's not so much. For example, hip hop is great. I love dancing and expressing myself. But if I am not careful, some of those lyrics can be inappropriate according to my beliefs and will influence me in a negative way. Another example... a breakup or someone does something annoying. If you listen to music that relates to those, all it will do is make you more upset about the situation and the music influences you once more. Music really does affect our emotions and desires; it affects our attitudes and behaviors.

There were several occasions over the past month where this realization of music affecting who we are stood out to me. One was when I just sat with your friend my friend (we will call her Kay). She is someone who I have always looked up to, and in that moment, I noticed the kind of person I want to be when I am around her. It hit me mainly when we were sitting around the kitchen table after discussing our upcoming camping trip and listening to music trying to get ideas of what to listen to during the many hours of driving. The only kind of music I wanted to listen to around Kay was wholesome and uplifting... not the kind of music that we hear on the radio every day. It hit me once more when I visited my friend (we will call him Joe) at his new apt at college. He was doing an apt check while I chilled on the couch. The music playing from Joe's room was very calming and gave my mind room to think feel at ease. This friend is also someone who I would not want to listen to certain music around. Then once more I felt the influence of music last week. I had just started school and was confused over many things had happened over the previous week with boys and roommates and whether or not I made the right decision in not returning to USU. I could have dwelled on these matters, but instead, I turned on my Sunday track and opened up my scriptures. I felt peace that Heavenly Father is looking out for me. I think about the blessings he has given me lately and could not be more grateful for them. He has given me uplifting friends, a nice apt, random people on campus to help me out whether it is rides to FHE and school, a new friend or two on the bus, or free lunch for a day. He is taking care of me.

Anyway, music has a large influence in our lives every day. I hope we can clear out the kind that pulls us into negative emotions and only listen to uplifting music that brings smiles to our faces. For example, the song Firework by Katy Perry makes me feel like I can do anything... I love it! I love life. And I love the gospel not only for the truths it teaches, but for the kind of person it is making me into. It is creating the next movement of my symphony into a beautiful melodic chapter of my life. I only pray to transform it into a masterpiece that will influence those around me for the better.