Friday, March 27, 2009

How I Love Lyrics

I am a lyrics freak. If you don't know this by now, this is probably your first time reading my blog & you've probably only met me once or passed me on the street.

Since I already have status ADD on facebook, I thought I would post a list of some of the best lyrics that have seemed particularly applicable to my life of late. If you can name all the artists, I'll...um...give you a cookie.

*Now's the right time for a good song - get something to say what I can't*

*But lately the weather has been so bipolar & consequently so have I*

*I'm standing on the edge of everything I've never been before*

*Turn my head with talk of summertime* (ha ha)

*The book of love has music in it, in fact that's where music comes from. Some of it is transcendental, some of it's just really dumb. But I love it when you sing to me. & you can sing me anything.*

*When life is in discord, praise ye the Lord*

*Quisiera darte mundo entero, la luna, el cielo, el sol, el mar. Regalarte las estrellas en una caja de cristal. Llevarte al espacio sideral y volar como hace superman* :)

*I'm just a little bit caught in the middle, life is a maze & love is a riddle. Oh, I'm just a little girl lost in the moment, I'm so scared, but I don't show it.*

*I didn't want any promises, just your undivided honesty*

*Sometimes we forget what we got, who we are & who we are not. I think we've got a chance to make it right, keep loose, keep it tight.*

Well, I think that's about enough of that. :D

Friday, March 20, 2009

Mellow Music = Old Person?

I used to think that the above equation was just how it worked - once you started listening to a lot of acoustic music & the volume wasn't constantly set on the highest setting, well, you might as well go buy yourself a rocking chair & a pair of those "ultra supportive" ugly tan/black shoes, cause you're well on your way to your geriatric years.

I would like to retract the above opinion. Why? Because...I have mellowed. I recently discovered a set of acoustic cuts of some of my favorite Anberlin songs & was practically in heaven. Back in my wilder days, nothing could back my ears throb quite so pleasantly as Evanescence, POD, Linkin Park, or Foo Fighters blasting as loud as my little discman could go. Oh, how my mother loved those days. But I like being able to understand the lyrics. I'm not a fan of screamo, despite the efforts of some friends to convert me, & I've reached a point where constant loud rock grates on my nerves. Does this mean I'm growing up? or getting boring? or becomeing a totally lame old fogey way before my time? I hope not. I'd like to think I'm just getting a bit more refined & a tad less rebellious in my music selection.

I haven't completely forsaken my old taste in music - not even close! I still love driving around with the windows rolled down & the music as loud as it can go. And I don't think I'll ever be able to go more than a week or two without a healthy does of Muse, Linkin Park, or my beloved Anberlin...but lately I find myself smitten with acoustic guitars & melodic pianos.

This new mellower version of myself is pretty apparent in my recent additions to my blog playlist - what can I say? I've always been a sucker for good lyrics, & these soothingly soulful tunes seem to be stealing their words right out of my mouth right now.

A few notes about the notes:
-"Have No Fear" is from the movie Seven Pounds - one of the only things I liked from the entire film...this song may have pulled a few tears out of me...maybe...

-"Retrace," "Like a Rolling Stone," & "Enjoy the Silence"(great cover of the Depeche Mode song) - a few of my newest Anberlin favorites - oh, how I adore them.

-My love for "Twilight Serenade" has nothing to do with vampires. the end.

-the Joshua Radin songs - credit goes out to my fellow blogging buddies, Beaz & Martha, both of whom are on duet kicks - keep the suggestions coming, you two have great taste.

- "Romeo & Juliet Love Theme" - So, sometimes I'm just really sappy, okay? I'm a girl. It happens to the best of us. Plus, I love the violins & cellos...*swoon*

LISTEN TO THE LYRICS - a song isn't worth much if it's lyrics don't say anything worth saying...unless it's hip hop - then that rule pretty much goes flying out the window. :)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Reflections on Forever

I know I've been writing about the temple a lot, but it's been on my mind a lot. This is actually a paper that I wrote for my missionary preparation class. I sort of forgot about it until this morning, but this idea for a post has been floating around in my head all weekend, so it wasn't too hard to turn into a paper.

Families Can Be Together Forever

One of the first songs we learn as children in Primary is “Families Can Be Together Forever.” We grow up with this beautiful knowledge planted deep within us, never needing to wonder if we will see our loved ones after death. Through the blessings and ordinances of the covenants made in the temple, we can be sealed to our spouse for time and all eternity. There is no disclaimer of “’til death do you part.” This simple truth about the eternal nature of marriage and families sets The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart.

In Matthew 18:18 it says, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” By being obedient to the covenants we make, we can guarantee ourselves a place in the celestial kingdom with the one we love by our side. The doctrine of eternal families is crucial to the teachings of the Gospel and has been since the beginning of time with Adam and Eve.

The LDS Church invests a great deal of time and money into the construction of temples. These beautiful structures now dot the globe. Why put so much into building temples? The ordinances and covenants made within the temple are key to our religion. It is within the walls of the temple that we can learn the answers to “the terrible why questions” as my dad, a convert to the LDS Faith, likes to call them. We are taught about our origin before this mortal life, our purpose on this earth, our relationship to God, and the life to come. In an article entitled, “Why These Temples?” Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Parents are partners with God in bringing to pass his eternal purposes with reference to his children. The family, therefore, is a divine institution, the most important both in mortality and in eternity.” Families play a crucial role in the Gospel; the importance of families was emphasized in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” as well as countless addresses given by leaders of the LDS Church.


The Sealing Room in the Draper Temple.

This past week I was able to attend the Draper Temple open-house, once with my parents and later with my fabulous friend, Samanta. Both experiences were wonderful; I felt enfolded in a sense of peace and pure joy. While visiting the temple with my parents, I felt a strong reaffirmation of the knowledge that our families can be together for eternity. This year has been tough on my family. My dad, who has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for years suffered his second relapse in October. Although we have been incredibly blessed and comforted, treatments have not been as successful as we had hoped and we have had to face the idea of our family being separated in this life. Standing in the sealing room with my mom and dad beside me, I looked into the mirrors and saw our little family reflected for eternity. I felt a feeling of comfort as I looked at our smiling reflection and knew that no matter what trials we face in the coming months, we are sealed to each other for time and all eternity. The bonds between us cannot be broken by time or death. They are the result of an enduring holy covenant that has been ordained by God.

I am so grateful for the knowledge of the eternal nature of families. Like it says in the Primary song, I know that families can be together forever through Heavenly Father’s plan. In Ecclesiastes 3:14 it says, “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it.” The beauty of the temple itself only serves to highlight the beautiful simplicity and truth of this doctrine. We do not promise to be true and faithful until the end of this life; we promise for eternity. Like the reflection in the mirror, my family will continue to stand together forever, in this life as well as into the next.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

An Outlet

I never realized how much of a creative outlet facebook had become for me until it was so cruelly taken away. I do not know how or why, but my account has excluded me & I cannot log in. My wall is empty. My status has not been changed in almost 24 hours. I don't know what to do with all of my random thoughts & the song lyrics that seem to express my feelings so exactly.

So let me just say here that Kels is very grateful for her family & friends. I am so grateful to know that I can be with my family forever. I am grateful. That's it. Just grateful.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Heart Of Life Is Good

For those of you who missed the memo, I've been accepting suggestions for the fiftieth song for my blog playlist. I've had a few really good suggestions & quite a few people who said they would ponder & get back to me (& then promptly forgot. ;) ) You're still welcome to offer suggestions for songs (in fact, I'd love it if you did! Blog subject topics are welcome, too!).

However, I recently tripped into a song I'd forgotten about that takes the top spot, no competition.

I hate to see you cry lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But i know the heart of life is good

You know it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then the circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But i know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But i know the heart of life is good.
I know it's good.


Those of you who know me will know that I'm all about lyrics - if I don't like the lyrics, I won't like the song, no matter how cool it sounds. That said, I've got to say that the lyrics to "The Heart of Life" have a particularly powerful meaning for me right now. Plus, it's John Mayer & I really like his style - fantastic lyrics.

This song wins the top spot because it has a great message. Sometimes, life comes at us from all sides at once, things get tough, decisions are difficult, relationships get confusing, and it's hard not to get discouraged. Lately, I've struggled a bit with looking on the bright side. But there is always a silver lining. There is always something to be grateful for. There is always some friend who can make you smile. "Love turns the whole thing around."
Link
Sometimes we have to look a bit harder to find the silver linings, but that just makes it all the more satisfying when we actually do find them.

A little bit of trivia - some other great John Mayer songs with amazing lyrics: Gravity, Love Song for No One, 83, St.Patrick's Day, and, one of my very favorites, Comfortable.