As most everybody who knows me knows, I have an immense love for music. I love playing games that have to do with music, I never take a shower without singing, I have a music calling in church and I'm even majoring in music at school. So, a few months ago after years and years of hearing the counsel, I finally decided to take it and turn off the radio on my way to school, work, etc. and enjoy quiet time full of peace and meditation. So for the past, oh I'd say 4 months or so every time I've driven alone I've left the radio off and have driven in silence. I have to admit that I've grown accustomed to it and I've learned a lot about why we've been counseled or at least been given the suggestion to try it. Perhaps the largest testament of why it's been suggested happened to me just today. I was on my way home from class which I had driven to in silence and for the most part had driven from in silence, when I decided to turn on the radio. It wasn't any big deal or anything I was just in the mood for a little tunage. So, being the slight OCD person that I am, I turned on the radio, set it at the perfect volume, and then started with my pre-sets at #1 and worked my way to #6. By the time I got to my 6th button I was completely astounded at what I was hearing and reminded why I should limit my radio time. Here's what I found:
Preset #1: Country song about how if he'd loved her more, maybe she wouldn't have left him
Preset #2: Country song about how she got cheated on
Preset #3: Pop song about how she got cheated on
Preset #4: A song I'd never heard
Preset #5: Commercial-LAME
Preset #6: Commercial- LAME
I spent roughly 20 seconds of my day with the radio and was disgustingly surprised at what I heard. Radio commercials are bogus in the first place, I completely despise them...it's not what radio's for. And then to have to listen to not 1, not 2 but 3 songs about people cheating or being cheated on what horrifying. This left me with the age old question; which came first, the chicken or the egg? Did unfaithful people spur songs written about unfaithful people? Or did songs written about unfaithful people spur unfaithfulness? And not just unfaithfulness, but getting drunk, or using drugs, or sneaking out or whatever it may be. No wonder youth and everyone else have trouble being good, all that plays on the radio is no good! Maybe I chose a bad time of day to turn the radio on. Perhaps I'll try again later...or maybe I'll stick to silence. Either way this little experience sure has made me grateful for the gospel and the things that we know and the truths that we have so that we have lots of help in making good decisions.
Preset #1: Country song about how if he'd loved her more, maybe she wouldn't have left him
Preset #2: Country song about how she got cheated on
Preset #3: Pop song about how she got cheated on
Preset #4: A song I'd never heard
Preset #5: Commercial-LAME
Preset #6: Commercial- LAME
I spent roughly 20 seconds of my day with the radio and was disgustingly surprised at what I heard. Radio commercials are bogus in the first place, I completely despise them...it's not what radio's for. And then to have to listen to not 1, not 2 but 3 songs about people cheating or being cheated on what horrifying. This left me with the age old question; which came first, the chicken or the egg? Did unfaithful people spur songs written about unfaithful people? Or did songs written about unfaithful people spur unfaithfulness? And not just unfaithfulness, but getting drunk, or using drugs, or sneaking out or whatever it may be. No wonder youth and everyone else have trouble being good, all that plays on the radio is no good! Maybe I chose a bad time of day to turn the radio on. Perhaps I'll try again later...or maybe I'll stick to silence. Either way this little experience sure has made me grateful for the gospel and the things that we know and the truths that we have so that we have lots of help in making good decisions.
)
11 comments:
First, it's nice to see you posting again... I enjoy hearing about what you've been up to, and you're such a positive person... You give me hope!
Second, I totally understand what you're talking about. There is so much negativity surrounding us. It's good to know there are people like you that help us along! : )
Ashley your main problem is you have two country stations programmed in. Their songs are never positive.
YAh, sadly most of the media on the radio, tv and net is pretty trashy and desensitizes those who hear and see it all day long. Yay! for ipods and of course silence.
In answer to your query about the chicken or the egg---here are a few of my favortie music quotes:
"Any musical innovation is full of danger to the whole State...when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the State always change with them." (Plato)
"I knew a very wise man who believed that if a man were permitted to make all the ballads, he need not care who should make the laws of a nation." (Andrew Fletcher)
No one knows the power of music better than Satan. He knows that people can be taught very effectively when they are unaware that they are being taught--when they think they are only being entertained!
And alas, one more... "Music makes anything go. It makes a peace meeting more peaceful, it intensifies the spirit of courage in soldiers, it makes drunkards drink more, it seduces, it uplifts, it stimulates workers, it soothes and it heals. We are to decide its use, destructive or constructive." (Harriet A. Seymour)
Sorry to take so much space, but you know me---I think music rules the world!
Good quotes, Aunt Tina!! I will use those some day!!
Yeah, there're from the music Fireside I've given like a hundred times! But I like them and believe them!
Oops! Have you ever heard the word there're? Sorry Uncle Bob! I know it's they're, a simple contraction for they are! :)
Tom and I took this challenge long ago. The radio is never on in our cars. Excpet for the occasional "Delila" fix I need every once in awhile. My car is now full of church and kis music and all Tom listens too is General Conference talks and books on cd. I think it makes a huge difference in our days.
My car radio is broken (and has been for about a year and a half!) My T.V. antennae is broken and will only play DVD's. I love not listening to commercials. As a side note, thank you so much for the wonderful fettuccine dinner you made when I came into town last week. It was such a lovely start to my weekend away. You are an excellent cook and it was great seeing you.
YOU GUYS HAVE A BLOG!!! yay!!! Seriously why are we not hanging out all the time?! are you still here? we must get together!!
your blog is addicting. i had no idea you knew how to write.
beautiful ash. you have made me feel and think and wonder with amazement.
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