On being the Light and the Salvation of the World

   I found myself nearly three weeks "behind" on my study in a Course in Miracles. Lessons #70 and #71 states the truth of being: "My salvation comes from me. It cannot come from anywhere else", and "Only God's plan for salvation will work." I realized that the timing was perfect and "on fleck" for my life today.
   Last night my husband mentioned that he noticed that the school across the street has been playing "Chandelier" by Sia on the P.A. system for the past week or so. I responded that I noticed it, too, and I was feeling some kind of way about it. Sure the song is catchy and her voice is heavenly in the upper register, but we both felt that this was not the best musical diet to be feeding young minds first thing in the morning (or anytime for that matter). Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE music. I sang in the elementary school chorus and learned to play the piano. In junior high I learn to play alto saxophone and was in one of the best marching and concert bands in the state in high school. I currently belly dance and I'm the music coordinator for our troupe. I have about 2000 songs on my ipod of nearly every genre imaginable. I am also trained in sound therapy and have an understanding of how music affects the mind and body.
   I love popular music as much as the next person, but as someone who compiles music for family-friendly shows and for mixed cultural audiences, I have become keenly sensitive to lyrics. I have to be mindful of the message and mood of a piece of music that I dance to, especially if it is not in English. Just because a piece of music is fast-paced doesn't mean it is a happy song.
   So I wondered to myself, "Are we the only ones that have noticed this and feel this way? Why hasn't someone said anything?" And then I realized that my mission this morning, should I choose to accept it, is to be that someone! Then the voices of the ego began... "Why should I say anything? My children have not attended this school in over 10 years." My husband was still home so I asked, "Honey, can you take these printed lyrics to the school for me?" He replied, "I'm sorry; I don't have time." "Come on; you're already running late. What's a few more minutes?" Then it struck me, "Dang it! If it's to be, it's up to me!" So I quickly brushed my teeth, threw on some clothes, and dashed out of the house sans coffee.
   I patiently waited in line at the main office while other parents checked in their tardy children. My first inclination was to blast the teacher with sarcasm saying, "Do you really think promoting alcohol as an escape is an appropriate message for young people?!" But I kept thinking "sugar, not vinegar". Then when it was my turn I calmly and sweetly presented my case. I told her that I appreciated the school's efforts to play upbeat, motivational music in the morning like "Happy", but I had concerns about "Chandelier", and that I respectfully request that you reconsider playing it, as I handed the teacher the lyrics printed in 14-point Verdana font.
   I left feeling a bit satisfied, although not knowing the outcome. Kevin said, "Thank you". Will the teachers, Principal, and Vice Principal even take the time to read the lyrics or will it end up in the proverbial round file? Would I just be considered a meddling community member? And even if they did read it, would they continue to play the song anyway? But that doesn't matter and that's not the point. The point is I was given a divinely inspired idea I was bold and courageous enough to take action on it. And that is all that any of us are called to do on a daily basis.
Lesson 71 contains a prayer that Oprah uses and that I have adopted in recent months. It asks God to reveal his plan to us saying: "What would you have me do? Where would you have me go? What would you have me say, and to whom? Perhaps you will make this your daily prayer. And by acting on the answer given you become the light and salvation of the world.