NOT gleefully going gaga

I've come to a decision. Or rather a ban. This is a "as for me and my house" decision. My reasons for posting this decision is a "every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbour" type decision. Remaining passive and ignorant are just not my style...

Music is so integral to our society. Its significance becomes paramount to our youth. Ahhhhhh youth (I'm picturing Frank Barone from Everybody loves Raymond breathing in his grandchildren's youth with every breath) ...... the period of life where self discovery is sought after on a consistent basis. So many decisions are made during these turbulent years that will shape and mould their characters, and answer the question "What will I become?"

Proverbs answers that question... For as he ^athinketh in his ^bheart, so is he. If our thoughts are a manifestation of our hearts, what consequences do the echoing beats of our music choice present in our lives, and ultimately in our characters? In essence what do our playlists really say about us? Does our DVD collection although diverse in genre, also contain sameness with common themes in perversity? Has quality control been made redundant on our tv networks? Are we far to trusting in tv series, relying on past seasons to formulate opinions on watching current and subsequent episodes? Granted the world is going to pot, but have we let some of the stink in too? And do we actually look forward to when the smut is going to be on.... even downloading on the net before its actually broadcasted on tv? Personally, I can answer all of these questions, and their answers put me to shame. Hence the decision/ ban.

Last Saturday I had 1/2hr to myself while Linc took the kids out to run an errand. I was super excited, I flopped down on the couch in my bathrobe had the laptop out and decided to check out rage ( a music video tv show) for some background music. Ahhhh feel the serenity, it was so nice to be listening to some "new" music, beats and lyrics that in no way resembled any of my children's music. Then screeeeeeeeeeeeech. I looked up at the screen and what I saw and heard just shocked me. What I was witnessing was offensive in every possible way. I'm referring to lady gaga's new song, I'm in love with judas. (I know grammatically Nouns should start with a capital letter but I don't feel gaga or judas deserve the Capital letter right now). What I saw in that 30 seconds made me physically ill. If I dissected what I saw and broke it down, the individual elements might seem not so bad. Apparently the lyrics are not overly offensive, their was no nudity or sex scenes in the clip, and as a music video clip it would be deemed as entertaining. If I wanted to, I could of ignored it.

I just couldn't stand that filth for one more second. It felt like a measured and deliberate attack on all that I hold sacredly dear. Attempting to degrade Deity in the name of art and entertainment felt wrong wrong wrong. Look I won't blah blah blah about it. Many of my girls that I teach LOVE this artist. How many other songs or lyrics are being sung to a catchy tune, being danced to in her alluring individual interpretation of what she deems an accurate portrayal of "who she is?"

I suspect the lure isn't just the music itself. She's created a character, a brand, a concept. I myself bought her initial flattery's. I found myself admiring her prolific artistic abilities. She certainly brought something different to the music industry. Perhaps the other ploy in the younger years is the perfervid attempts to become different/individual (within the normal range of course, the concept of being weird is an abhorrent concept to a teenager). I know I've battled with this concept myself. I avoided the whole Twilight saga just because everyone else was doing it... Thats how I started watching Glee, there were just too much good feedback to not watch the show.

Are we chasing an illusion? By telling the world that I like coconut icecream, enjoy a bit of John Farnham and watch q&a really encapsulate who I am? Should our lives fit neatly into the text feilds of a face book profile, or are we defined by something more devine and eternal? I came across a talk whilst researching my repentance talk given by Elder Nelson. He made this point..."There is more individuality in those who are more holy. Sin, on the other hand, brings sameness; it shrinks us to the addictive appetites and insubordinate impulses. For a brief surging, selfish moment, sin may create the illusion of individuality, but only as in the grunting, galloping Gadarene swine!" (The pigs whom the Saviour cast the evil spirits into)

I'm a little bit cooky. A bit strange. A little intense, ok maybe alot. There are some qualities in my personality that I detest, others that I'm so eternally grateful for. The more righteous and Christlike I become, the more I feel like a daughter of God. I feel like I stand out for all the right reasons. And that over this life time I will become the best version God intended me to be. It means making choices. Who am I? This daughter of God is on high alert. Satan has entered this home via my tv, computer and other devices for long enough. Not only will gaga not be featured on my playlists, but glee is not my weekly "can't wait till wednesday night" program.

Why am i so long winded? Imagine the sound effect of a rider dismounting a rather tall horse... got that sound figured out in your head........ Thats just me getting down off my moral high horse.