Posters

I learned a valuable lesson the other day that has to do with music, but the principle can be applied to so much more. I had a conversation with someone who is quite musically inclined, and I was explaining to him that I wanted to be better at the guitar and better at singing. He asked me who my favorite music artist was, and I told him Jack Johnson. Then he proceeded with a follow up question: Is Jack Johnson an amazing guitarist or singer? Honestly, he's not. But he's an incredible musician.

I mean, I'm a decent musician, but sometimes I don't feel good enough.  It's great to have that desire to get better, but I shouldn't beat myself up because I'm not the best.  In a Jack Johnson song called Posters, he sings:


Looking at himself but wishing he was someone else
Because the posters on the wall they don't look like him at all

Looking at herself but wishing she was someone else
Because the body of the doll it don't look like hers at all

The world today has a way of portraying what we should look like, who we should be, and how good we should be at it.  We don't need to be like the people in the posters to be worth something.  We must remember that "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."  (D&C 18:10).  No matter what the world thinks of us, we are all great in the sight of God.  And remember, "it's better to look up." ~ Thomas S. Monson.

Bad Hair Day

The other day, I officially got the worst haircut of my life.  I was persuaded to let a certain person cut my hair.  Not known to me until after the fact was that it was his first time cutting anyone's hair, but that's besides the point.  In the midst of the noise of the clippers and my hair flying everywhere, the one cutting my hair was busy telling me how good my hair was looking and was going to look. 

I must say, I was pretty excited to check out my new hair-do.  I was convinced that my hair looked good.  Then came the moment to look in the mirror and see how it was.  That was when reality hit, and I suppose I looked something like the picture to the right.  It was only when I stepped back and took a look at myself that I realized my hair needed to change.  And quick!

Our lives are the same way.  We often go through life taking everyone's word for whatever it may be.  But occasionally we need to stop and examine our self.  We need to step back, take a look in the mirror, and see what needs corrected.  Sometimes the realization, such as in my case, can be quite shocking.  We must do whatever we need to in order to fix the problem.  We all make mistakes, but as long as we come back, we will be openly welcomed.  "...There is joy in the presence of angles of God over one sinner that repenteth."  (Luke 15:10).

Temporary Home

There truly is no place like home.  But home is different for everyone.  Depending on who you ask, their views of home will be different.  Home is where you hang your hat.  Home is where your bed is.  Home is that house you live in.  Home is where your heart is.  Amidst all of the different definitions of home, how can we know what our own personal home is?  We can all say that we have some kind of a home here on earth, but is it truly our home?

I've always been struck by the chorus of a Carrie Underwood song called "Temporary Home".  In the song, she describes three different situations, but in the end, they all respond with the lyrics in the chorus, which read:

This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home.

This world is only our temporary home.  Sure, there are many places in the world and times of our life that bring us great joy, but we have a way better home waiting for us on the other side.  A heavenly home.  Nothing can compare to it.  "No matter how enticing the world might be, it was never intended to be our home." ~ Kevin Hinckley (emphasis added).  So don't forget what you're working towards.  Never let it escape your mind.  Greater joy lies ahead.  May we cease to walk without direction or wander without reason, but continually carry on to our heavenly home.