I’ve been enjoying a lot of different kinds of music lately, and one that has really resonated for me is SLOW ME DOWN by Emmy Rossum.

Growing up Mormon, we learned there was not a whole lot of “slow me down” that went on. Rather it was, get up and GO. Go to church. Go to mutual. Go visiting or home teaching. Go to the cannery, or to the ward service project. GO GO GO. And if you don’t GO, you are a slacker.

This, of course, is probably true of life in general, but as always, I equate it to my culture and background, because, well, this is what I am. I grew up Mormon. My parents are staunch Mormons, as are the majority of my family.

Somebody please, slow me down. Let’s take a walk and enjoy the sunset. Just sit by a pond and watch the skeeter bugs flit across the surface, and ducks dive for food. I spend so much time rushing around I forget the beauty around me.

This year I took up hiking, in an attempt to get fit again, and discovered how much I truly loved it, and how absolutely beautiful Utah really is. Sorry all you haters, who tell me “if you don’t like it, leave.” For now, this is my home. And I’m enjoying exploring it.

My take on life and Mormonism, you may have noticed, has taken a turn from the way it started out when this blog began. I still find much of it silly, and pointless, and yet for a lot of people it does a LOT of good.

I am not angry, nor do I really care what you believe. I think it’s sad if you choose to be so one-sided, so busy rushing around and doing your Church work that you miss getting to know your Jewish neighbor, or your African-American neighbor, or anyone from another culture who thinks YOU are just as odd as you think they are.

But as always, Mormonism fascinates me. Recently I embarked on my first “relationship” since I found myself divorced a few years ago, and it was with a “borderlander,” or a Mormon who does not entirely believe, and yet cannot quite let it go or walk away. This was a new experience for me. I’m not sure I have ever been involved with someone who still went to church every Sunday, or at least most Sundays.

For him, while he did not believe, the attraction was still strong. That is where he wanted to be. Oh, plus he found it alluring that all the Mollies at the singles firesides and activities thought he was a bad boy, because he didn’t wear garments or go to the temple.

Quite honestly, I believe that part of the reason our relationship destructed was because I did NOT find him a bad boy at all.

But it was an interesting and eye-opening experience, and it led me to wonder, once again, just how many people actually get up every Sunday, put on their church clothes and go to meetings, while wondering “who the hell came up with this crap?”

Are you out there, people? Speak up, even if it’s anonymously, and tell me why. I really do want to know.

And in the meantime, consider this. SLOW DOWN. Life is better enjoyed at a slower pace.

Here are the lyrics to Emmy’s song:

Rushing and racing and running in circles
Moving so fast I’m forgetting my purpose
Blur of the traffic is sending me spinning
Getting nowhere

My head and my heart are colliding chaotic
Pace of the world I just wish I could stop it
Try to appear like I’ve got it together
I’m falling apart

Save me
Somebody take my hand and lead me
Slow me down
Don’t let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I’m ready to fall

Slow me down
Don’t let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down

Sometimes I fear that I might disappear
In the blur of fast forward I falter again
Forgetting to breathe
I need to sleep
I’m getting nowhere

All that I’ve missed I see in the reflection
Pass me while I wasn’t paying attention
Tired of rushing, racing and running
I’m falling apart

Tell me
Oh won’t you take my hand and lead me
Slow me down
Don’t let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I’m ready to fall

Slow me down
Don’t let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down

Just show me
I need you to slow me down
Slow me down
Slow me down

The noise of the world is getting me caught up
Chasing the clock and I wish I could stop it
Just need to breathe
Somebody please
Slow me down