Some ancient wise man gave us this famous quote that's been repeated so many times that it's difficult to tell who said it first. We can probably chalk it up to being an "old saying" by now. Anyhow, whoever said it, it goes something like this.
Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
Much more recently, another wise man, whose identity is clearly known, gave us the following quote that compliments the first very well.
One who can control his thoughts has conquered himself.
- Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
In both of these quotes, the controlling of one's thoughts is given special importance. In Elder Packer's talk from which this quote was taken (I think he was only an Elder at the time), Packer stresses the importance of controlling one's thoughts as a way to resist temptation and gives us one strong method of controlling one's thoughts through the utilization of music.
He taught that the mind is like a stage that permits only one actor on it at a time. Shady thoughts may creep onto the stage, but we can force them out by replacing them with a powerful, positive thought, and Elder Packer's whole talk, Inspiring Music - Worthy Thoughts, was about the power of music. Said he:
This is what I would teach you. Choose from among the sacred music of the Church a favorite hymn, one with words that are uplifting and music that is reverent, one that makes you feel something akin to inspiration. Remember President Lee’s counsel; perhaps “I Am A Child of God” would do. Go over it in your mind carefully. Memorize it. Even though you have had no musical training, you can think through a hymn.
Now, use this hymn as the place for your thoughts to go. Make it your emergency channel. Whenever you find these shady actors have slipped from the sidelines of your thinking onto the stage of your mind, put on this record, as it were.
As the music begins and as the words form in your thoughts, the unworthy ones will slip shamefully away. It will change the whole mood on the stage of your mind. Because it is uplifting and clean, the baser thoughts will disappear. For while virtue, by choice, will not associate with filth, evil cannot tolerate the presence of light. (Italics in the original)
...
“Music,” said Gladstone, “is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind and spirit of man.”
While I don't have a strong testimony of this myself, I do know that when I listen to good music, I feel the Spirit, and when I have the Spirit, I have an easier time controlling my thoughts and resisting temptation, so this sounds like good advice to me.
I think I got off-topic somewhere back there. Anyway, the message I'm trying to convey is that good music can help you control your thoughts and that your thoughts strongly influence your actions, which dictate your very character. So, watch your thoughts. And if you struggle with that, as many people do from time to time, put on a hymn. I'm pretty sure it'll help.
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