Inaudible Melodies

Life can get crazy. There are so many things going on in our day to day lives. At any time of the day we can easily get carried away with school, friends, relationships, appointments, sports, work, hobbies, eating, going to Barnes and Noble, going to Dairy Queen, getting Slurpees at 711, making cardboard armor and jousting, "testing" fire extinguishers, washing dishes, making sweet mix CDs, and so much more.

Slurpees. One of the many things we can fill our time with.

 It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of a busy life. We must be wary and do all things "in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order" (Mosiah 4:27). If we are not careful we will end up with having Too Much To Handle. We need to take care of the things that matter most first. When we prioritize our actions with what is in line with the will of Heavenly Father and the teachings of Jesus Christ we will be blessed greatly!

In life there are things that are good, things that are better, and things that are best (see talk "Good, Better, Best" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks). When we choose the things that are "best" we please God and He blesses us. We should never sacrifice scripture study, church, prayer, integrity, virtue, honesty, family and all things "best" for the evils in the world nor should we for even the things that are "good". The "best" things in life fill spiritual holes with everlasting joy. Once we have taken care of the most important things in life we are left with time to ourselves for our own personal enjoyment.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

I know, from personal experience, that there must be a balance in life! When I get overwhelmed with church, school, or work I need some time to relax!  I need some time for running around with friends on a weekend night, listening to sweet jams while getting delicious Slurpees. Even though this will not fill my spiritual hole in need of everlasting joy it is most definitely harmless fun. But if we get careless we will endanger ourselves to laziness, pleasure-seeking, and transgression. Remember, all things must be done "in wisdom and order" (Mosiah 4:17).

One of my favorite songs is by Jack Johnson and it is all about slowing down and realizing the beauty in the things that surround us. It is called "Inaudible Melodies" from his "Brushfire Fairytales" album and here are some of the lyrics! Enjoy!

But in the long run we have found
Silent Films are full of sound
Inaudibly free

Slow down everyone
You're moving to fast
Frames can't catch you when
You're moving like that

Inaudible melodies

Serve narrational strategies

Unobtrusive tones

Help to notice nothing but the zone

Of visual relevancy

Frame-lines tell me what to see

Chopping like an axe

Or maybe Einstein should just relax

Jack Johnson

 Pure joy can only be found through the source of pure joy: Jesus Christ. BUT we don't need to be robots in order to achieve this. Slow down! You're moving too fast! Recognize that even the "silent films" are "full of sound" and beauty. We all need to "just relax" and not get caught up in over scheduled lives. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." So, have a balance of both the joy that comes from church, scriptures and prayer and the joy that comes through sports, music, or school. I assure you that all goodness is from Christ (Ether 4:12). Soak it up while keeping a balance of things that are good, better, and best. 

One scripture that gives me hope is found in the Book of Mormon. It says, "Ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual" (Mosiah 2:17).

Hold onto those inaudible melodies. Follow the teachings of Christ. Have fun. You will be blessed in all aspects of your lives and you will be happy.