Thursday, September 11, 2008

Make A Joyful Noise!


Everyday I walk by our music teacher's classroom a countless number of times. Each time I pass his door I read the banner that he has hanging outside his door. It reads "Make A Joyful Noise". The banner also has a picture of a musical instrument. Everytime I read the banner, I say to myself "I like that saying". The more I read it, the more I begin to see a different meaning to the words written on the banner, other than the meaning of make beautiful music. It made me ask myself, what kind of noise do I make? Am I loud and annoying? Am I angry and shouting? Do I sound unkind? Do I complain and moan? Or do I make a pleasant noise? Am I soft and soothing? Am I reassuring and encouraging? Do I offer hope? Am I easy listening? It seems that "The squeaky wheel always gets the most attention". Why do we give attention to those who complain the most, moan the most yell the most? Everytime we give attention to negative behavior, we get more negative behavior. We keep paying attention to it in the hope that it will shut up and leave us alone. But it never does. The squeaky wheel just keeps on squeaking. Pay attention to negative behavior and we get more negative behavior. I like to live by the saying "You get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar". If we pay more attention to the nice noises, we will get more pleasing sounds. It's pleasing to the ear. Makes us feel good inside. Encourages us to do more for eachother. It makes us pleasant to be around. We wouldn't want to shut eachother up and make people go away. So think to yourself. Do you make a joyful noise?
Today's Affirmation Reads: "I experience love wherever I go. Love is everywhere, and I am loving and lovable. Loving people fill my life, and I find myself easily expressing love to others."
Make a joyful noise everyday and your cup will runneth over with love!

7 comments:

Rev. Julieanne Paige, O.M.C. said...

This is very true. When we focus on the negative we attract more of it. And if we give out positive we will attract more positive aspects to our lives. I do wonder however, if the English find my strong Australian accent a 'joyful noise' :)

Julieanne

LITeacher said...

Julieanne,
I love Australian accents. That is quite a joyful noise to me. My New York accent might be a little strong though.


Maureen :)

Unknown said...

I love this post! Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if everyone made a joyful noise ... noises like "please", "thank you", and "I appreciate you".

LITeacher said...

To Small Footprints,
I'm glad you liked the post. The world would be such a wonderful place if we all made beautiful noises intead of all that staticky white noise.
Maureen :)

AudreyO said...

What a wonderful post. There is a book on the market called "words that hurt, words that heal" The book is all about our words and how they can and do affect others. Just an example, someone spends weeks planning a party. They invest hours preparing, cooking etc. Then a guest leaves and says "oh the floor was dirty" How hurtful to the person who spent so much time working and planning. Words can and do hurt. This book really left me being more careful about my words.

Rev. Julieanne Paige, O.M.C. said...

I love NY accents... I am a bit of a country bumpkin but I have always said 'If I had to live in a city it would be NY'. It really sounds so exciting there. Maybe one day ... :)

M. Smith said...

I love this post too!! The words we speak are powerful, and most certainly can effect another person whether good or bad. Isn't it crazy to think that something we do or say can have such a negative or positive effect on another person. Our voices are powerful and we should use them with caution..(ha-ha) That's kind of hard to do sometimes though. BTW, julieanne..I think Australian accents are awesome!!!!!