I discovered another great way to get a daily dose of the Book of Mormon in my life. If you don't have time to read, then just listen and a lovely voice will read the Book of Mormon to you over the internet. Go here then click on the book you want to read. Next, click on the chapter you want to read. Look to the right hand side of the page where there is a "listen" link. Click on it. Sit back and relax and a lovely voice (I'm pretty sure it is Bruce Lindsey's voice of KSLTV fame) will read to you while you (gasp) do other things...or take notes for further study. Another cool feature is that you can read the scriptures in another language. If you speak another language, you can switch the languages by using the button on the top right side. It looks like there are about 22 different languages offered. How great is that? If you are a member of the LDS church, you can get your membership number (from your ward clerk or from other official church documentation) and sign up to use the online scriptures for your own personal study. You can sign in and then bookmark where you are reading and also take study notes and they will be saved in your study journal for easy retrieval.
I love music. I listen to it at work (thanks Pandora) I listen to it at home (CDs mostly) I listen to it in the car (thanks to the radio, CDs and XM radio) and I listen to it on the go (thanks Ipodnano.) It keeps me company, it inspires me, it entertains me and I helps me relax. So often it makes me feel good and have good thoughts. It often takes me back to a certain time and place. Music moves me, it soothes me and it often gets me going when I need to accomplish something. I love most kinds of music. I guess I have fairly eclectic taste in music because I like a big variety of music. I like religious music for some settings, loud pounding music for others settings and nice background music for other times. I love rock and roll - always have, always will. We have a ton of music from the 70s and 80s and we love to listen to some good Boston, Styx, Doobie Brothers, James Taylor, Journey and BozSkaggs, just to name a few. As a college students I went to at least a dozen rock concerts at the old Salt Palace. The environment wasn't the best, but the music was generally superb. We still own our original vinyl LPs and we listen to them on occasion on our little record player, scratches and all. Love me some Doors, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young & Earth, Wind and Fire, Marvin Gay and Diana Ross with some Karen Carpenter for starters. I've been listening to some good groups on Pandora and have been introduced to some other groups that I've come to appreciate. I really like Chris Daughtry and Creed and from their music I've really come to enjoy Nickelback, Lifehouse, the Fray, Incubus, Matchbox Twenty, Coldplay, Vertical Horizon and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I love Broadway music. I know a ton of it. I could probably win a "name that tune" with songs played from Broadway musicals. I adore too many to even name here. I enjoy some country music. I haven't been a big fan over the years, but I do have an appreciation for some of the cross over stuff. I hate the sound of the steel guitar and the old country sound. Hate it. It reminds me of the time when it was the only music found on Rupert Idaho radio stations. I do enjoy some Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood & ColbieCailat for example (realizing that some country purists wouldn't even consider their music true country.) I know more Rap and Hip Hop music that I care to admit. I even like some of it thanks to Andy. I really enjoy new age music ~ David Lanz, Jim Brickman, Enya, Jon Schmidt, and some Yanni. I really appreciate female artists like Linda Eder, Alicia Keyes, Nora Jones and of course Celine. I'm a big fan of male artists like Josh Groban (of course), Andrea Bocelli and our native Utahan David Archuleta. I like me some Jack Johnson too. I love classical music. I've gained a new appreciation for it and often listen to it at work. I'm getting better at identifying the pieces and the composers. We bought an impressive collection of CDs recently of about 40 different composers and the best of the best symphonies. This is an area that I want to strengthen and continue to learn more about.
I'm impressed with little Jonathan directing Beethoven's 5th symphony with his little baton. He must have listened to this symphony many, many times to know how to direct it (itchy nose and all!) I can see his brain cells growing right before our eyes!
"There is no love. There are only proofs of love." It's February. Love month.
Last night while I was reading my February issue of Good Housekeeping magazine all snuggled up in my bed, I realized that a serendipitous union has happened. Two of the things I enjoy have joined forces! The author of the Happiness Project (a book I highly recommend) is now a monthly columnist with Good Housekeeping! The topic of seeking Happiness is very, very popular right now and what better union than these two forces for promoting the pursuit of happiness? Here is Gretchin Rubin's article: How Giving Love Makes You Feel Loved. Here is the article if you don't subscribe to the magazine.
Instead of just saying "I love you" show your love through your actions. It's a simple but powerful way to celebrate the month, because as you know - actions speak louder than words!
The country's most famous groundhog predicted an early spring today! He didn't see his shadow!!! Phil has seen his shadow 98 times and hasn't seen it just 16 times since 1887, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, which runs the event. Hooray!!! It was 1 degree when I went to exercise this morning, so this is great news! Spring is on the way.
Besides predicting the weather for the next six weeks, Groundhog day is also a time to contemplate if we're making progress in life and learning from our mistakes. As I was driving to work, the radio announcers were inviting people to call in and tell about experiences in their lives that they would never want to repeat. Some were funny and some were sad as they spoke of serious mistakes they had made with money, relationships, family or employment.
Groundhog Day is best known as the day when Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow to forecast the arrival of spring. If he sees his shadow winter continues for six more weeks. If he doesn’t, then warmer weather is on the way. This repetitive celebration was highlighted in the 1993 film “Groundhog Day.” And it’s a great time to ask yourself if you’re falling into the trap of repetition. Make this year different and avoid repeating the same mistakes by breaking the Groundhog Day cycle.
Stopping a bad habit is tough, especially if you don’t have anything to replace it with. Think about the habits that are keeping you from reaching your goals. Now find out ways you can replace those bad habits with more productive ones.
Make new goals for yourself that will lead you out of your tendency to repeat the past. Write your goals down and spread the word. Tell friends and family members about what you’re aspiring to achieve and that way they can help keep you accountable if they see you falling into your old rut. Avoid repeating the same mistakes. It's easier said than done.
Someone once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Remember this movie? It has a good message, even if it is very annoying to watch!
