Noise

      This last Monday, as we were enjoying our p-day, (6am-10pm preparation for the rest of the week, and some much needed R&R), we decided to go to the mall and check out some shops. As we walked around, there was one shop in particular that was blaring some rather loud, and may I add, obnoxious, "music". In my mind, it was just a whole lot of raucous. I thougtht about all that noise, and my mind drifted to one of my favorite poems entitled, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", by Dr. Seuss. One line in particular held particular application to my present situation
  
           For, tomorrow, he knew...

...All the Who girls and boys
Would wake up bright and early. They'd rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
That's one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!




      In this world today, just as in the Grinch's world of Who-ville, we are bombarded by lots and lots of noise, not only by the things we hear, but also all the things that bombard us throughout our day-to-day activites, that serve to distract and take us away from the things that are truly important and that provide true happiness. Now, I am not saying that listening to music, watching movies, and so on and so forth is inherently bad. In fact, there are many wholesome music, movies, books, ect..., in the world today, that can uplift and help us to relax after a long day. But, along with all the wholesome, there is also a lot of noise.

      As we are bombarded each day, we need to learn to shut out all the noise that the world seems to thrust on us at all times of the day. We do this be filling our minds, and our daily lives with good, upwholesome things, the things that matter most, like spending time with family and friends, or going out and serving others. It's a lesson I am only starting to learn: true, unfettered happinesss can only come when we shut out all the noise, and follow our Savior's example by seeking after the good, wholesome things this world has to offer.