SING!!

In class this week, we discussed the effects of music. I listen to music often, I am even listening to music as I write this blog post. Over the last day or so I have been thinking lots about music and what each song represent and why do I listen to certain music. Here are a few things I have learned as I have thought about this.  

I have started to really listen to the lyrics of songs and what they are expressing. At my job, I often have pandora playing for background music and because I love finding new songs. Well one songs came on and at first I really like the beat, I was about to add the song to my Spotify play list but then I began to really listen to the song and what the lyrics were saying. I quickly changed the song. Even though the song had a great beat, the song was talking about having a one night stand and getting someone into bed. For the rest of the day, I have found myself hearing the lyrics of each songs I have been listening to.  I want to filled my day with good music that uplifts and brighten people day.. just like that Gavin DeGraw

I love music, I love the way it brings people together and help people. I know this post may seem a bit scattered but if you take anything away from this post please remember these two simple things. First, remember that the type of music you listen to represent what you stand for and believe. Second, Use music for good by allowing music to brighten those touch days and moments in your life.  Don't be afraid to sing a song at the top of your lungs, have a dance party and just fill your life with good music. When life gets rough, take a few moments, turn on your favorite song and just SING.. and dance if you like dancing :) 

Here is a great example of what that looks like :)

Thanks Pentatonix for this great song!

SING! 

Communication

According to google, the definition of Communication is “the imparting or exchanging of information or news.”  As a family studies major, I’ve learned and witnessed that communication is an important factor in creating a strong relationship with others around.

With this knowledge I strive to exchange information with my family to keep them informed with my life. Now this is easier said then done.  Out of my five siblings, only 1 lives near me. We are all spread out all around the world… living different day to day life. We all desire to be a apart of each other life and share new with one another but distance makes it hard at times.

 BUT, with media we are able to stay connected through FaceTime, Cluster, Facebook, Google hangout, and many more.

It is not uncommon to see me walking to the bus stop holding my phone straight out in front of my face, Facetiming one of my siblings, playing hind and seek with a nieces or nephews. FaceTime has become a wonderful way for me to create and connect with my nieces and nephews.

Sundays consist of the whole family getting on google hangout and talking for hours sometimes about what life. I love watching my nieces and nephews interacted with one another. Hearing about what they learned in church that day.

And it is not uncommon for one of my siblings to post a picture or video on Cluster about something exciting in their life.  Incase you have never heard of Cluster. Cluster is best compared to Instagram but expect for private groups.

These are only a few ways my family has learned to communicate with one another even thought we may life hundreds or miles apart.

Find the balance

          Media is all around us, everyday we all us some type of media. You reading this blog post, is a form of media. Think about the last ten minutes of your life, How much media do you think you used? Did you listening to music, get on Facebook, check your phone, etc. There have been times in my life when I felt overwhelmed with all the media I was using.  I started to noticed that I could not go a day without checking Facebook or leaving the house without my cell phone. I was so focused on my phone that I was not focusing on the people or things around me. I felt lost and unconnected with my friends if I did not have service for a day.  I was allowing media to control my life instead of using media to improve and benefit my life. Have you ever had such an experience? At this point, I would strive to have a media fast. I would avoid Facebook, leave my phone behind, strive to not watch movies and so forth. Sometimes I would go to the extremes to cleanse media from my life.  Going to the extreme is never a good things. Media is a wonderful tool to help improve our lives and relationships. I have come to understand that instead of cleansing media from my life. I need to find the balance of not allowing media to become my master.  Elder Russell M. Ballard gave a wonderful talk which helped expand this principle. In this talk he said,

 “They need to be our servants, not our masters. For example, if later tonight you share inspiring thoughts from this devotional on social media, your smartphone is a servant. If you randomly surf the Internet, your smartphone is a master.” 

Media is a wonderful tool that can be good to share and uplift others around us. To end this post, here is a youtube video that brings me great joy and reminds me to be grateful and that I can do anything good! Find the balance in Media use and remember that you can do anything good!