Experiments

For the past 2 weeks I set a goal for myself to not listen to the radio or my iPod in my car.

Why would I do crazy thing like that? Well a few things led to this decision.
1. Talking with my friend Dallin about how he has only been listening to church music for awhile. He said that when he does listen to the radio or something (due to someone else's choice) he doesn't feel happy or uplifted afterwards.
2. The lesson in RS a couple of weeks ago was about listening to the Holy Ghost. the teacher mentioned that we create our own noise that drowns out the Spirit. Things as simple as always having the TV or radio on for "background noise". We need time each day for quiet to contemplate.
3. Conference last week, there was a talk that struck me. I took away from it that I really have too much noise in my life. Do I ever have time to just sit and think?

My conclusion to all of this is that I have at least an hour everyday. That hour is spent in my car commuting to and from work. I don't have anything else pressing on my mind. I am alone and I can decide what i do with that time. Lately I have been more and more drawn away from the morning radio stations. They have not impressed me and I have felt like I shouldn't devote any time listening to what they have to say. I felt like instead of having the radio on and 'tuning out' I would drive in silence instead. I gave myself a chance to THINK. One of my concerns was that I would have a hard time staying awake. (Since I am on the road at 5:15 am and sometimes I have a hard time waking up) However the benefits have really outweighed this concern.

Benefits that I have noticed:
1. I am much more awake in the morning and by the time I get to work I am ready to go. Before i was usually dragging for the first 15 minutes of being at work.
2. I have a chance to speak with my Father in Heaven with out feeling rushed in getting ready for work. I am also in a place that I have the choice to speak silently or out loud with out worrying about waking Jared up.
3. I am able to process feelings and ideas had the day before or during the day. I can think clearly without distraction.
4. My mind isn't clouded by the sometimes unsavory topics discussed by Morning Radio Talk shows. When i did listen to them even in background noise mode, it was stick with me the rest of my day and distract my thoughts.
5. I feel relaxed when I either get to work or when I get home at the end of the day. I have had my quiet time to think and unwind.

Today was the first time I turned on the radio on my way to work in 2 weeks. With in the first 5 minutes, I was annoyed because it was interfering with my contemplation. I turned it down and eventually turned it off. I have come to appreciate this time to myself. I will still listen to the radio sometimes. I still really LOVE to listen to music but it will no longer feel like I have to have it on for "background noise"

I realize this is a long post but I felt like this was something I wanted to share. I hope everyone gets a chance to feel this kind of peace each day. I know it has really helped me focus on what is important to me.

Happy Spring everyone!