The Power of Music
Tonight I made some final decisions after talking with a friend. Hard final decisions. I wasn't looking forward to the rest of the evening after that. Walking into the apartment I felt confident in my decisions, yet I felt a sense of loss. I sat down at the table, sat there for a few minutes, then took a 20 minute nap until a Relief Society Activity I didn't really want to go to. Lindsey came in, woke me up, and I dutifully got up because I wanted to support my Relief Society leaders. I went to the Relief Society activity. It was good, it was fun. Through out the activity I was victimizing myself and wanting pity.
I ran home to grab some spoons for refreshments and when I walked into my apartment there stood, with Rachel and Ryan, two adults I had never seen before in my life. I was on a mission though and I needed to get some spoons. I quickly said hello and made my way to the kitchen when I found out that these two lovely people were Ryan's parents! They pulled me into their warm hearts with words of genuine interest and intrigue. The were intrigued by the things I told them and asked good questions. I didn't want to complain to them. I didn't want them to pity me. They somehow made me want to see the good I've been doing and the good I can continue doing. They empowered me.
After talking with them for 10ish minutes I really needed to get the spoons to people so I ran back to the Relief Society activity leaving Ryan's parents with Rachel and Ryan. I quickly scarfed down some root beer float deliciousness and skedaddled back to my apartment. Lauren and Lindsey shortly arrived thereafter and we all had a marvelous evening talking and laughing.
Right before Ryan and his parents left, Rachel decided she would collapse under the pressure and got out her violin to play a song. She began and the room was silent save the warm tones emanating from her precious instrument. We all sat there lifted in spirit as the tune of "Ashokan Farewell" deepened the meaning of the amazing last hour we'd had together.
Rachel held her last note, lifted her bow and the music stopped, but it didn't leave. We clapped for her and begged for more. She and I then pulled out a bit of Christmas music we'd played together last year. All were happy and excited for more. We played "Greensleeves" and again there was a spirit within our apartment that seemed to just simply heal. My roommates and I are all in need of that right now. As I helped create that music, I felt a salve wrap around my heart and comfort it. I felt a filling of my soul with an active flow of love run through me, working on my heart.
As we ended our music, the room was silent and a few seconds later Ryan's dad said, "I feel like we should end with a prayer!" After a chuckle or two I said, "Well, we have roommate prayer sometimes. We could do it tonight with you!" A consensus was reached and we knelt in a circle. I offered the prayer and again felt love and peace flow through me. These two people who popped up in my life randomly were answers to many prayers along with the sharing of musical talent tonight. I'm so glad my roommates were here to share it with me. It would not have been the same without any one of them.
Once they left, Rachel and I continued playing songs for another 10-ish minutes and had a marvelous time. Music. Oh the power of that music. Unselfishly shared, played simply for the enjoyment of others.
Never underestimate what your talents can do for others. Share what the Lord has blessed you with and strive to make it more than what it is.
I thank my Heavenly Father for giving my roommates, for giving me Ryan's parents tonight, for giving me Ryan as an FHE brother, for giving me a mother who forced me to practice the piano, for Rachel who has a passion for her violin, for my friends who have given me a deep love for music, and for loving me so much.
I ran home to grab some spoons for refreshments and when I walked into my apartment there stood, with Rachel and Ryan, two adults I had never seen before in my life. I was on a mission though and I needed to get some spoons. I quickly said hello and made my way to the kitchen when I found out that these two lovely people were Ryan's parents! They pulled me into their warm hearts with words of genuine interest and intrigue. The were intrigued by the things I told them and asked good questions. I didn't want to complain to them. I didn't want them to pity me. They somehow made me want to see the good I've been doing and the good I can continue doing. They empowered me.
After talking with them for 10ish minutes I really needed to get the spoons to people so I ran back to the Relief Society activity leaving Ryan's parents with Rachel and Ryan. I quickly scarfed down some root beer float deliciousness and skedaddled back to my apartment. Lauren and Lindsey shortly arrived thereafter and we all had a marvelous evening talking and laughing.
Right before Ryan and his parents left, Rachel decided she would collapse under the pressure and got out her violin to play a song. She began and the room was silent save the warm tones emanating from her precious instrument. We all sat there lifted in spirit as the tune of "Ashokan Farewell" deepened the meaning of the amazing last hour we'd had together.
Rachel held her last note, lifted her bow and the music stopped, but it didn't leave. We clapped for her and begged for more. She and I then pulled out a bit of Christmas music we'd played together last year. All were happy and excited for more. We played "Greensleeves" and again there was a spirit within our apartment that seemed to just simply heal. My roommates and I are all in need of that right now. As I helped create that music, I felt a salve wrap around my heart and comfort it. I felt a filling of my soul with an active flow of love run through me, working on my heart.
As we ended our music, the room was silent and a few seconds later Ryan's dad said, "I feel like we should end with a prayer!" After a chuckle or two I said, "Well, we have roommate prayer sometimes. We could do it tonight with you!" A consensus was reached and we knelt in a circle. I offered the prayer and again felt love and peace flow through me. These two people who popped up in my life randomly were answers to many prayers along with the sharing of musical talent tonight. I'm so glad my roommates were here to share it with me. It would not have been the same without any one of them.
Once they left, Rachel and I continued playing songs for another 10-ish minutes and had a marvelous time. Music. Oh the power of that music. Unselfishly shared, played simply for the enjoyment of others.
Never underestimate what your talents can do for others. Share what the Lord has blessed you with and strive to make it more than what it is.
I thank my Heavenly Father for giving my roommates, for giving me Ryan's parents tonight, for giving me Ryan as an FHE brother, for giving me a mother who forced me to practice the piano, for Rachel who has a passion for her violin, for my friends who have given me a deep love for music, and for loving me so much.
Comments
Post a Comment