Some people call it elevator music

I don't remember the exact time I started to notice the music in movies. I think I was in my early teens. It's amazing what a film score can do for a movie. It helps to convey so much emotion. Most people don't like to listen to this kind of music on its own, but I find it to be the most enjoyable by far over other music. I now have a playlist of over 650 songs from various movies that I listed to at work and sometimes at home. Even my 8 year old son seems to enjoy listening to them. I thought it would be fun to share five of my absolute favorites.

I know Braveheart was one of the first movies I watched and was not only blown away by the movie, but by the amazing score. There are many great tracks, but this one stands out and is pretty well known. This soundtrack remains my favorite by James Horner, closely followed by Titanic. Without further ado, here it is:

For the Love of a Princess

It's hard to say I have a favorite, because the scores are so different and some just speak to you more than others. I would have to say that Hans Zimmer is at the top of my list. I have several of his scores and I will shar a couple of my favorites. The first is from the film Pearl Harbor. It plays at the begining of the movie and is an incredible piece of music. Here it is:

Tennessee

Also by Hans Zimmer, the amazing soundtrack from Pirates of the Caribbean 3 - At World's End. I absolutely loved the new romantic theme he composed for Will & Elizabeth. It is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

One Day

Then there are the three amazing scores for each of the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Howard Shore. These are so much a part of these beloved films, I can't imagine one without the other. I love all three through their enitirety, but one of my favorites is from The Two Towers. It is the love theme for Arwen & Aragorn:

Evenstar

I will conclude with this amazing score from the movie Cast Away by Alan Silvestri. If I had to pick an absolute favorite song, this would probably be it. It's so moving and just beautiful. I fell in love with Alan Silvestri's work with the score to Forrest Gump, but this one even trumps that amazing score in my book.

Cast Away End Titles

I doubt many people will read this or listen to the music links, but this was fun for me to touch on some of my favorites.

This is where I am

Where are you? This is a question posed by one of the guys in my small group. There has been an enormous amount of spiritual growth throughout our small group, especially over the past few months. We have a blog and he wanted us all to post "where we are" on our spiritual journey. He thinks we are all on the same track. I admit this makes me feel ashamed. I am not there with the group. I feel like I am hanging on by the skin of my teeth. It's not a fun feeling. I feel guilt, I feel worthless. I know that I am not putting the time in. I am not stopping and taking time alone with God. I feel stalled spiritually. I know the problem is me. I feel like I hardly ever have time to myself, so why should I have to give up that little time that I do get? I am selfish. I know that I have it so much better than so many people. I am not "owed" me time. Still, I struggle to put my selfishness aside. After a full day of work and coming home to my family, I am beat by the time the kids go to bed. My brain is typically checked out. Getting up a little earlier in the morning would probably be the best solution, but I have a hard enough time getting up on time in the morning. I am always tired. I think the bigger issue though, is that I just don't have the desire. I want a closer relationship with God without putting the time in. I know it makes no more sense than wanting to make money without working for it. Unfortunately, this is where I am. Stalled - unable to get motivated. I've been here for a long time and honestly don't know how to get myself moving again. It is hard to admit to my group that I am not with them. I'm so happy for those that have grown spiritually, but truth be told, I am also intimidated by them. I can't keep up and I don't even know where to start.