i think, some people actually like pop music. i imagine they get in their cars, flip on the radio, & contently--no, excitedly listen to whatever new song some sell-out record company paid a pretty face to sing... & then they sing along to it.
not me--i don't do that. i mean, i don't do that at first. but sometimes, these darn bubblegum pop songs are unavoidably catchy. this is the case with taylor swift's newish song, "we are never ever getting back together".
stage #1 - denial
i was driving with my family when my brother nik first showed us the song. he, being a loyal t. swift lover, showed it to the family & denied any idea that taylor swift could have co-written such pathetic lyrics to a song. this is seriously a taylor swift song? no way, i can't believe it. the song wasn't licensed to be on youtube yet, so we could only hear distorted chipmunk versions of it. i decided to give it the benefit of the doubt, until i got home & could hear the "real" version.
stage #2 - anger
it was another week before i heard the "real" version of this song. i had sat down in my car, devastated once i realized my ipod was dead, & reluctantly flipped on the radio. (sometimes, i can't drive without music. literally.) "....never ever ever getting back together. you go talk to--" what the heck? taylor, seriously? what is wrong with artists these days? i changed the station, only to hear "...remember when we broke up, the first time. saying this is it, i've had enough..." so i turned off the radio & opted to listen to my 12 year old brother's cd mix he made 4 years ago of slightly less annoying rock-pop songs.
stage #3 - compromising
a couple weeks later i was in st. george with some friends. i had some unknown catchy tune stuck in my head. ooooooh-ooo-oo-oo-ooooh i couldn't help but sing it over & over again until my friend chimed in the rest of the lyrics, "this time, i'm telling you, i'm telling you, we--" crap! that's that song? i hastily explained how i didn't realize what i was singing & we mutually expressed our dislike for it. ....but it's so catchy! & did you know the whole music video was made in one continuous shot?
stage #4 - depression/defeat
after rationalizing my way into purchasing this song on itunes, i was overcome with disappointment. i gave in again?but this music is so bad. i can't believe myself. i am just as worthless as other pop-music sell-outs. the only thing that could drown out my own thoughts of self-degradation was the same bubblegum pop song that had started this whole mess. but in a tantrum like manner, i exited itunes & shut off my computer without even putting the song onto my ipod.
stage #5 - acceptance
i guess it's not thaaaaat bad... i wonder if nik likes it yet? will he judge me if i sing it around him..? screw it.
i want to share a quote i heard in institute several weeks ago
that has been swimming around in my brain since.
elder maxwell said,
"the same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well."
though i struggle with the fantasies of "fate", i do believe this quote holds fast to wisdom;
some people are divinely placed in our lives.
i am grateful to many people & in loving debt to many more.
one of those people is my dear friend, leah.
as i watch my best friend go through beautiful phases of love in her life,
one can only help but stand amazed, gazing at the way her life has changed for the good.
i don't know how to explain it,
but the only person i can credit my amazement to is the savior, jesus christ.
the love & forgiveness he has for us all is bountiful & beautiful.
