Life.
It's such a funny thing. In many ways it can be summed up by a quote from a Disney movie.
Without an understanding of the Plan of Salvation we have no appreciation of the life before and no hope in the afterlife. But because I believe in God, and have faith in the plan set by Him, I have peace. This week in devotional, a church leader used the analogy of a clock to describe steps of the pride cycle, and more importantly, how to get out of it. No metaphor is really perfect, but since there are literal exits and entrances to "life" we're going to go with it.
Mortality.
Not always the most pleasant of subjects, but it's part of the circle (or roundabout) of life. At a concert this week the director was introducing a set of songs and she said Death was her favorite topic. Second was love. I think we like the perspective that comes with our views on eternal life. It goes a little too far to say we're cavalier about death, but it's pretty close. Like the scriptures say, death has no sting, and the grave no victory. (Mosiah, Corinthians)
Being somewhat in that state of mind, I noticed subtler references to death in the songs I've been singing in choir. These songs aren't exactly somber in tone, but more full of hope and excitement for what's to come. They sum up my thoughts on death pretty well to be honest.
Last time we were together, my little brother mistakenly said that he didn't like poetry. Since then he's gotten a poem a day, courtesy of me. Because it was concert week this week, I sent him the lyrics to what I would be singing, and ended up finding more than I expected. The subtle references to death I was familiar with were made more stark when I read stanzas that had been left out of the musical arrangement. I also got to look more into the history of some songs, which added more to my personal feelings about this one.
The morning between concerts, I attended a family funeral where the opening song was one that I had sung the night before, and sang again that night. My mother said she's emotional at funerals because they remind her of so many other things in life. And well they should. It's a celebration and a chance to have other people brag about all the things you accomplished. Family gathers that you otherwise seldom see. People come together to feed you (funeral potatoes or it didn't happen). It forces you to put into perspective all the things that you prioritize based on your choices.
When you find your "exit," you can only hope it's with grace. You can choose how you drive and where you want your exit to take you, but when it comes you have to go. Of course with real roundabouts I can't wait to get as far away as possible, but for now I'm still enjoying the drive.
It's such a funny thing. In many ways it can be summed up by a quote from a Disney movie.
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| Sing it with me: The Ciiircllee of LIIiiiife! |
Mortality.
Not always the most pleasant of subjects, but it's part of the circle (or roundabout) of life. At a concert this week the director was introducing a set of songs and she said Death was her favorite topic. Second was love. I think we like the perspective that comes with our views on eternal life. It goes a little too far to say we're cavalier about death, but it's pretty close. Like the scriptures say, death has no sting, and the grave no victory. (Mosiah, Corinthians)
Being somewhat in that state of mind, I noticed subtler references to death in the songs I've been singing in choir. These songs aren't exactly somber in tone, but more full of hope and excitement for what's to come. They sum up my thoughts on death pretty well to be honest.
Last time we were together, my little brother mistakenly said that he didn't like poetry. Since then he's gotten a poem a day, courtesy of me. Because it was concert week this week, I sent him the lyrics to what I would be singing, and ended up finding more than I expected. The subtle references to death I was familiar with were made more stark when I read stanzas that had been left out of the musical arrangement. I also got to look more into the history of some songs, which added more to my personal feelings about this one.
The morning between concerts, I attended a family funeral where the opening song was one that I had sung the night before, and sang again that night. My mother said she's emotional at funerals because they remind her of so many other things in life. And well they should. It's a celebration and a chance to have other people brag about all the things you accomplished. Family gathers that you otherwise seldom see. People come together to feed you (funeral potatoes or it didn't happen). It forces you to put into perspective all the things that you prioritize based on your choices.
When you find your "exit," you can only hope it's with grace. You can choose how you drive and where you want your exit to take you, but when it comes you have to go. Of course with real roundabouts I can't wait to get as far away as possible, but for now I'm still enjoying the drive.
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