Overtones

“Together, despite our daily failed efforts, and the wasted sweat, tears, and fears, we slowly, gently shape the destiny of the universe.”

Our vices—our bad habits, quirks, and character flaws—are they trying to tell us something? And do they really come from our weak places, or could they simply be the down sides of other strengths?

You are alive, obviously. Your dog is, too. What about the tree on your front lawn? Is it alive? Or the mushrooms growing behind your tree? Most people are willing to take that leap, and acknowledge that these things are all alive. But what about rocks? Water? Is there anything in spirituality, evolution, or philosophy…Continue reading Is Everything Living? →

This is part 2 of Poverty vs. Wealth Mindset

This is a paradigm I am just barely starting to examine, and so far I’d have to say… FASCINATING!

The first episode of Paradigm Swap. Everything prior to this entry is former podcasts, posts, and ideas that I didn’t stick with…

What does GMO mean? Is it the same as hybrid species? What are heirloom seeds/plants, and what is the difference between the three?

I had another dream this morning around 8am where I was presented (again, without any real context—the idea just “occurred” to me, if you will) with an idea. In this case, it was the idea that there are two levels of agency. The first level is the basic level that we all have—the capacity to…Continue reading 0105-Overtones: Second Level Agency →

I had a dream last night where I was given an interesting idea for an experiment. The idea was given without the context of a situation–I didn’t see the experiment taking place, and I don’t even remember being in any particular situation. But I was asleep, and this idea came to me. It was called the poverty…Continue reading 0104-Overtones: The Poverty Experiment →

In this episode, we discuss a most interesting aspect to the near-death experience: the life review. And lest you think it’s simply your life flashing before your eyes–just listen, you may be surprised.

In this episode, we discuss: The difference between writers/musicians/artists who “make it” vs. those who don’t The 10,000 hour rule and the definition of insanity You’ve got to learn through trial and error… When to just buckle down and stick to it, and when to change direction (big OR small) How focused to be How…Continue reading 0102-Overtones: The 10,000 Hour Rule and the Definition of Insanity →

In this program, we discuss: Why this program? Nowadays, you can learn anything The basic science of overtones The cycles, patterns, and motion that inspire the musical piece called, The Dance

I think I’ve discovered the solution to the struggling American economy. Two words: Tax Trees. You’ve got to admit, it “trumps” many of the other ideas being set forth.  

President David O. McKay said, “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother” (quoted from Theodore Hesburgh, Reader’s Digest, Jan. 1963, 25; in Richard Evans’ Quote Book [1971], 11). “Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness.” -Bible Dictionary, “Temple” “Arthur Gordon shared this story…Continue reading Love at Home →

Can you imagine the celebration we must have had? After centuries of watching, waiting, anticipating, sometimes with an almost agonizing hope, and other times with pain and sorrow as we watched our older Brother suffer in preparation for the event—to see Him willingly give His life must have been agonizing, but just like a mother’s…Continue reading Christ the Lord is Risen Today →

God hears your prayers—every one of them. Just because you don’t always feel it doesn’t mean He’s not listening. He’s always listening.  Usually the struggle comes with recognizing His answers. Sometimes He answers with thoughts or ideas, sometimes through dreams or direct communication. Occasionally He uses coincidences, and often He uses other people. But if…Continue reading Sweet Hour of Prayer →

When discouragement, fear, and frustration overtake us; when we turn our hearts away from the truth; when we cover our ears to silence the heavenly whisper; when we pollute our lives with one bad choice after another; at some point we come to realize the hopelessness of our circumstance. At that moment of crisis, when…Continue reading Abide with Me →

If you’re ever struggling spiritually, take a walk. Look around at the beauty of the world. Notice the grass, flowers, trees, and mountains. Notice the people, birds, and wildlife. Notice the ground and sky. Notice the colors, and the finer, quieter details. Then say a prayer, as you walk. Thank your Heavenly Father for the…Continue reading For the Beauty of the Earth, with a little help from Bach’s 1st prelude… →

I used to get annoyed by our national anthem. Seriously? The United States’ #1 chief patriotic theme is about bombs going off, and ends (after all, we only ever sing the first verse, right?) with the question of whether our flag even survived the chaos of battle fire. Just by hearing the song, one wouldn’t…Continue reading Does that Star-Spangled Banner Yet Wave? →

I tried to portray my feelings about the Savior while writing this arrangement. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know Jesus was real, but I’ve had a number of experiences that have confirmed that knowledge, again and again. I think the big discovery for me was that His atonement was for me. It…Continue reading I Know that My Redeemer Lives →

The sheet music for this piece is now available on my website. The art on the cover is called, “In the Green Summer Meadow,” by Ria Spencer. You should check out her other stuff. You can also Download the free MP3. Enjoy the music!

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! I tried to give this version of Nearer My God to Thee a style that might lend to the ponderous…Continue reading Nearer My God to Thee →

Since I had so much fun writing this one, the transcription took a little longer than I expected.  You can purchase the sheet music on my website, as well as download the MP3. I’ve always loved this piece, and I hope my arrangement captures some of my feelings about this beautiful land!

You may notice when you listen to this arrangement that it’s not your typical America the Beautiful style. Not only is it in a weird key, but it has some bizarre chord changes, and only a couple times in the piece does it carry the typical, traditional melody. There’s a reason for that. America is…Continue reading America, the Beautiful →

I just learned something about this hymn that I think is pretty cool. The original lyrics weren’t in English, but the earliest translation reads as follows: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, Now to his…Continue reading Praise to the Lord, The Almighty: Piano Sheet Music →

After writing the piano solo of this piece, I thought it might be fun to spice it up with some Djembe drum, tenor flute, and sistrum (a sort of Egyptian tambourine) to match the style of Hieway to Kolob. And just for good measure, I even included a line or two of didgeridoo. See if you can…Continue reading Praise to the Lord, the Almighty →