My brother and I made a cover of a song from the video game Bastion, called "Build that Wall", composed by Darren Korb.
In the game, there is a conflict between two peoples, one building a
wall to keep the other out, while the outsiders dig holes under to get
into the city. This song is sung by a girl, one of the outsiders, as she
reflects on the nature of earthly toil- she digs while those inside the
city build their wall, but it's all futility, because we're always
equals in the face of death.
Build that Wall Cover
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Two New Recordings
I made a couple of recordings in the last couple of days! The first is my own version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel", one of my favorite Christmas songs. I even sing a verse in Latin with harmony in parallel fifths! That was meant as a nod to the song's origins in Gregorian chant, a genre I've always been fascinated by. The rest of the song is more contemporary in an attempt to create interest through juxtaposition.
The second is a cover of "Such Great Heights" by the Postal Service, in the style of Iron & Wine. Yes, it's a cover of a cover. I didn't change much from the Iron and Wine version. I love the simplicity of this song- it's quite beautiful. I didn't rehearse this one a ton before recording it, because I think the song sounds best with a few authentic mistakes. I have one guitar string a little out of tune and a couple vocal issues that I left in because I liked this song in it's unadultered, imperfect state. I think it compliments the meaning perfectly. Perfectly imperfect, I suppose.
Monday, October 24, 2011
And Lady Mondegreen
Anyone who knows me knows that I love words and word-related humor. I giggle like a child at silly typos and the like- embarrassing, but true. I promise to make this relevant to music therapists, but I'm going to begin by telling you about a new term I discovered that I think is brilliant. It's called a "mondegreen".
This word originated from an old Scottish ballad that contained the line "and laid him on the green". Apparently, it was often misheard as "and Lady Mondegreen". And so the term was born.
There are many more of these today. A couple of the most famous follow:
- The mishearing of "excuse me while I kiss the sky" in Jimi Hendrix's song "Purple Haze" as "excuse me while I kiss this guy."
Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSNkopRnuNc
- The mishearing of "there's a bad moon on the rise" in CCR's Bad Moon Rising as "there's a bathroom on the right"
Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BmEGm-mraE
This is only the beginning. There are tons of these, some more convincing than others. For more, see my new favorite website (I wasn't kidding when I said I love these...) http://www.kissthisguy.com/ .
These happen to me all the time. I've always noticed about myself that I'm a music, then lyrics person. I can know a song very well before I put any thought at all into the lyrics. And usually, by the time I take the trouble to think about what the song is talking about, I've made up some pretty interesting lyrics for the words that are difficult to hear.
Some of my personal favorite mondegreens:
- My own mishearing of a line in Taylor Swift's "Sparks Fly". "You get me with those green eyes baby" became "You hit me with those street lights baby", and I didn't even notice what I was saying until I was singing it in the car with a friend who pointed it out.
- Beyonce's "Single Ladies": "Up in the club, just broke up" became "up in the club, just woke up"... I guess I was thinking she slept all day so she could party all night??
- Tody Keith's "Made in America: "He's got the red white blue flying high on the farm, Semper Fi tatooed on his left arm" --> "He's got the red white blue flying high on the farm, a separate flag tatooed on his left arm". Another noticed by my roommate as we were singing in the car.
These are pretty hilarious (if your sense of humor is like mine), but the fact that this phenomenon has its own term is a testament to the fact that it's a problem. One of the things that separates an MT from a violinist or a trumpeter is the fact that we play AND sing, and the words we sing can make a big difference for our clients. Often, our clients already know the words to whatever we're singing, so it's not a problem, but not always. It's important that we remember what we learned in voice lessons or voice class: diction! If our clients are having trouble discerning what we're saying, we are not going to be as effective.
Definition of MONDEGREEN
: a word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung <“very close veins” is a mondegreen for “varicose veins”>
(taken from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mondegreen )
This word originated from an old Scottish ballad that contained the line "and laid him on the green". Apparently, it was often misheard as "and Lady Mondegreen". And so the term was born.
There are many more of these today. A couple of the most famous follow:
- The mishearing of "excuse me while I kiss the sky" in Jimi Hendrix's song "Purple Haze" as "excuse me while I kiss this guy."
Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSNkopRnuNc
- The mishearing of "there's a bad moon on the rise" in CCR's Bad Moon Rising as "there's a bathroom on the right"
Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BmEGm-mraE
This is only the beginning. There are tons of these, some more convincing than others. For more, see my new favorite website (I wasn't kidding when I said I love these...) http://www.kissthisguy.com/ .
These happen to me all the time. I've always noticed about myself that I'm a music, then lyrics person. I can know a song very well before I put any thought at all into the lyrics. And usually, by the time I take the trouble to think about what the song is talking about, I've made up some pretty interesting lyrics for the words that are difficult to hear.
Some of my personal favorite mondegreens:
- My own mishearing of a line in Taylor Swift's "Sparks Fly". "You get me with those green eyes baby" became "You hit me with those street lights baby", and I didn't even notice what I was saying until I was singing it in the car with a friend who pointed it out.
- Beyonce's "Single Ladies": "Up in the club, just broke up" became "up in the club, just woke up"... I guess I was thinking she slept all day so she could party all night??
- Tody Keith's "Made in America: "He's got the red white blue flying high on the farm, Semper Fi tatooed on his left arm" --> "He's got the red white blue flying high on the farm, a separate flag tatooed on his left arm". Another noticed by my roommate as we were singing in the car.
These are pretty hilarious (if your sense of humor is like mine), but the fact that this phenomenon has its own term is a testament to the fact that it's a problem. One of the things that separates an MT from a violinist or a trumpeter is the fact that we play AND sing, and the words we sing can make a big difference for our clients. Often, our clients already know the words to whatever we're singing, so it's not a problem, but not always. It's important that we remember what we learned in voice lessons or voice class: diction! If our clients are having trouble discerning what we're saying, we are not going to be as effective.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Skyscraper by Demi Lovato- Cover by Cassidy Smith
I made my very own cover of one of my favorite new songs! In making it, I learned a lot about the creative process of trying to make a song your own. Some of it flowed naturally, some of it took thought and planning. I also found it difficult to listen to the finished product objectively... it just sounds like me singing and playing, and all I hear is that and the little imperfections. No matter how many times I listen to it, it's just me singing. I try to listen to it as an objective third party, but I've found that I can't.
When I decided I wanted to share it, I encountered an interesting test of courage. It goes back to my last post on vulnerability. Sharing this song means making myself vulnerable- I am presenting my abilities at their best and putting power in the hands of everyone who listens to judge me as they will. I have struggled prodigiously in the past with fear of this particular vulnerability, and it was not easy to share this song with my friends.
It occurs to me that this implies how relational I am, and we all are, as human beings. Even someone like me, who is quite confident and self-assured (generally speaking), fears sharing something I put all of my effort and skill into. I think inherent in people, in all areas of life, is offering everything you have to give and being found wanting.
This implies the importance of treading carefully with the people in your life that are closest to you. Of course, you can feel free to be comfortable with them. But the closer you are to someone, the more power you have to tear them apart. Every so often I meet someone who rejects close friendships. Not explicitly or even consciously, but for some reason they do not allow people to know them deeply. I think this is rooted in this fear- the fear of being known intimately and then rejected. It holds many people back, in varying degrees.
Anyway, enough of my transfers :) I hope you enjoy the song! I certainly enjoyed recording it.
Skyscraper by Demi Lovato- Cover by Cassidy Smith
When I decided I wanted to share it, I encountered an interesting test of courage. It goes back to my last post on vulnerability. Sharing this song means making myself vulnerable- I am presenting my abilities at their best and putting power in the hands of everyone who listens to judge me as they will. I have struggled prodigiously in the past with fear of this particular vulnerability, and it was not easy to share this song with my friends.
It occurs to me that this implies how relational I am, and we all are, as human beings. Even someone like me, who is quite confident and self-assured (generally speaking), fears sharing something I put all of my effort and skill into. I think inherent in people, in all areas of life, is offering everything you have to give and being found wanting.
This implies the importance of treading carefully with the people in your life that are closest to you. Of course, you can feel free to be comfortable with them. But the closer you are to someone, the more power you have to tear them apart. Every so often I meet someone who rejects close friendships. Not explicitly or even consciously, but for some reason they do not allow people to know them deeply. I think this is rooted in this fear- the fear of being known intimately and then rejected. It holds many people back, in varying degrees.
Anyway, enough of my transfers :) I hope you enjoy the song! I certainly enjoyed recording it.
Skyscraper by Demi Lovato- Cover by Cassidy Smith
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Brene Brown on the Power of Vulnerability
This video came to my attention about 30 minutes ago, and I had to share it here. Not only is this important to us as human beings, it is also relevant to us as music therapists. Depending on what kind of population we work with, we may see clients from both groups in the dichotomy Dr. Brown created to describe the phenomenon of vulnerability, but most likely, we'll be dealing with people who struggle with it. The video is about 20 minutes long, but well worth it! Enjoy-
*UPDATE*
If you don't have 20 minutes to watch this, I took some notes, if you're interested in getting the basic gist of what Dr. Brown has to say. Maybe it will inspire you to spend 20 minutes watching this... it's worth it!
She begins by explaining a bit about herself- she has her bachelor's, master's and PhD in social work, and spends her time researching issues important to us as humans. She explains that she does her research by collecting stories. She interviews people and asks them to share their stories with her. Jumping into the issue at hand, she states that human connection is the reason we're here- connecting with other people gives us purpose and meaning. She decided since connection was such an important issue to begin research to unravel and understand human connection more thoroughly. As she began to collect stories, she noticed that when you ask people about love, they tell you about heartbreak. When you ask them about belonging, they tell you about isolation. And when you ask them about connection, they tell you stories of feeling disconnected.
Dr. Brown decided she needed to further explore this unnamed thing that seemed to unravel connection- she found it to be shame, the fear of disconnection. The feeling we've all experienced of not being enough; not smart enough, pretty enough, rich enough, popular enough, etc. We are ashamed of those things we see as shortcomings, and so many of us naturally shy away from allowing others to see those things we're ashamed of. The problem is, in order to connect deeply with others, we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable- we have to let those things be seen.
She began realize from her collection of hundreds of stories that a dichotomy existed between people who had a strong sense love and belonging and those who didn't. People who accepted the things they weren't proud of about themselves and allowed themselves to be deeply seen by others, and people who hid from others out of shame and fear of rejection or disconnection. She realized that the one thing that separated the former group from the latter was that those people who had a strong sense of love and belonging simply believed they were worthy of it. She began to refer to this group of people as "whole-hearted", and started exploring traits that these people had in common.
She found four distinct characteristics that these "whole-hearted" people shared:
1. The had the courage to be imperfect.
2. They had compassion- they were first kind to themselves, which enabled them to be kind to others
3. They were authentic- able to be true to themselves and therefore made deep connections with others
4. They embraced vulnerability as a necessary avenue to making connections. They believed the things that made them vulnerable also made them beautiful.
Dr. Brown came to this conclusion: Vulnerability is at the core of shame, fear, and the struggle for worthiness, but it's also the birthplace of joy, creativity, belonging, and love.
She realized that she had a personal struggle with this issue of vulnerability, and that many others did as well, so she began to unravel why and how we deal with the necessity of being vulnerable. We live in a world that requires us to be vulnerable and continually puts obstacles in our paths that make us feel vulnerable- putting yourself out there even though you may be rejected, trying something new even though you may end up looking stupid- these are things we must do to grow and develop and mature, but they do not make us feel safe and secure. To deal with the discomfort of being made vulnerable, we often cope by doing one or more of the following things:
1. We numb everything- we decide it's better to feel nothing than face the possibility of pain or rejection, but we end up numbing all emotions, good and bad. We find ourselves miserable and searching for meaning in life, which makes us feel vulnerable, and the process starts all over again, become a vicious, miserable cycle.
2. We make the uncertain, certain- certainty disperses fear, and questioning yourself or the things you believe make you vulnerable
3. We perfect ourselves- we work hard to make it seem to everyone else that we have our lives perfectly under control, even if we don't, so that no one will see the things we're ashamed of
4. We pretend that what we do doesn't have an impact on others
The solution, she found, is to embrace the following:
1. Allow yourself to be deeply seen- accept the things you're ashamed of as part of who you've been made to be, and know that you're not alone in it
2. Love with your whole heart, even when there's no guarantee
3. Practice gratitude and joy in the midst of vulnerability and uncertainty
4. Believe you are enough.
*UPDATE*
If you don't have 20 minutes to watch this, I took some notes, if you're interested in getting the basic gist of what Dr. Brown has to say. Maybe it will inspire you to spend 20 minutes watching this... it's worth it!
She begins by explaining a bit about herself- she has her bachelor's, master's and PhD in social work, and spends her time researching issues important to us as humans. She explains that she does her research by collecting stories. She interviews people and asks them to share their stories with her. Jumping into the issue at hand, she states that human connection is the reason we're here- connecting with other people gives us purpose and meaning. She decided since connection was such an important issue to begin research to unravel and understand human connection more thoroughly. As she began to collect stories, she noticed that when you ask people about love, they tell you about heartbreak. When you ask them about belonging, they tell you about isolation. And when you ask them about connection, they tell you stories of feeling disconnected.
Dr. Brown decided she needed to further explore this unnamed thing that seemed to unravel connection- she found it to be shame, the fear of disconnection. The feeling we've all experienced of not being enough; not smart enough, pretty enough, rich enough, popular enough, etc. We are ashamed of those things we see as shortcomings, and so many of us naturally shy away from allowing others to see those things we're ashamed of. The problem is, in order to connect deeply with others, we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable- we have to let those things be seen.
She began realize from her collection of hundreds of stories that a dichotomy existed between people who had a strong sense love and belonging and those who didn't. People who accepted the things they weren't proud of about themselves and allowed themselves to be deeply seen by others, and people who hid from others out of shame and fear of rejection or disconnection. She realized that the one thing that separated the former group from the latter was that those people who had a strong sense of love and belonging simply believed they were worthy of it. She began to refer to this group of people as "whole-hearted", and started exploring traits that these people had in common.
She found four distinct characteristics that these "whole-hearted" people shared:
1. The had the courage to be imperfect.
2. They had compassion- they were first kind to themselves, which enabled them to be kind to others
3. They were authentic- able to be true to themselves and therefore made deep connections with others
4. They embraced vulnerability as a necessary avenue to making connections. They believed the things that made them vulnerable also made them beautiful.
Dr. Brown came to this conclusion: Vulnerability is at the core of shame, fear, and the struggle for worthiness, but it's also the birthplace of joy, creativity, belonging, and love.
She realized that she had a personal struggle with this issue of vulnerability, and that many others did as well, so she began to unravel why and how we deal with the necessity of being vulnerable. We live in a world that requires us to be vulnerable and continually puts obstacles in our paths that make us feel vulnerable- putting yourself out there even though you may be rejected, trying something new even though you may end up looking stupid- these are things we must do to grow and develop and mature, but they do not make us feel safe and secure. To deal with the discomfort of being made vulnerable, we often cope by doing one or more of the following things:
1. We numb everything- we decide it's better to feel nothing than face the possibility of pain or rejection, but we end up numbing all emotions, good and bad. We find ourselves miserable and searching for meaning in life, which makes us feel vulnerable, and the process starts all over again, become a vicious, miserable cycle.
2. We make the uncertain, certain- certainty disperses fear, and questioning yourself or the things you believe make you vulnerable
3. We perfect ourselves- we work hard to make it seem to everyone else that we have our lives perfectly under control, even if we don't, so that no one will see the things we're ashamed of
4. We pretend that what we do doesn't have an impact on others
The solution, she found, is to embrace the following:
1. Allow yourself to be deeply seen- accept the things you're ashamed of as part of who you've been made to be, and know that you're not alone in it
2. Love with your whole heart, even when there's no guarantee
3. Practice gratitude and joy in the midst of vulnerability and uncertainty
4. Believe you are enough.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Don't forget about the little fish
I realized recently that I speak and think in metaphors with surprising frequency. I wonder if other people do too. Do you?
Anyway, the metaphor we're on today is big fish and little fish. Big fish in this case means a professor or professional or someone who is generally important. Someone with influence. Someone who people know, even though they've never actually met them. Small-scale celebrities. Little fish are none of those things. Nobody really knows about them. They get forgotten sometimes, or hidden in the crowd. They may be really neat people, but haven't done anything yet that society values, and so are unknown. Little fish have potential to become big fish, someday.
As a proud little fish, I'd like to share something with any big fish that might come across this blog, as well as other little fish who will be big fish one day.
Never underestimate the power you hold over a little fish.
Okay, enough with the fish.
I've had two experiences this week in which someone I consider to be a big, important, local celebrity took the time to show concern specifically for me. In both cases, these people I admire and respect went out of their way to help and support me, and it meant so much. I consider myself a confident person, and I think that I'm special, just like everyone else. I have something the offer that no one else does, and when someone I look up to takes the time to single me out and offer me encouragement, it validates me. The unsolicited positive reinforcement of someone you admire is something you remember for years.
The other part of this phenomenon is that it's not what either of these people said to me that made the difference. Words don't mean much, most of the time. It's what they did. One of these people spent 25 minutes talking with me when all I was expecting when I asked for advice was a 3 minute exchange. Of course I benefited from the advice I received, but the part of the story I love to remember is the time this person dedicated to helping me. It made me feel so special.
Big fish: remember that the opposite is also true. You hold tremendous power to build up the little fish, and equally tremendous power to tear them apart. Watch what you say, and for goodness sake, never tell a little fish they can't reach their goals! Remember that it takes four positive experiences to outweigh a negative one. Do a little fish a favor and let them put a positive in the bank.
Here's today's song. It's a new goodbye song I learned. I think it's especially cute... and catchy too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XrL_F6tnT4
Anyway, the metaphor we're on today is big fish and little fish. Big fish in this case means a professor or professional or someone who is generally important. Someone with influence. Someone who people know, even though they've never actually met them. Small-scale celebrities. Little fish are none of those things. Nobody really knows about them. They get forgotten sometimes, or hidden in the crowd. They may be really neat people, but haven't done anything yet that society values, and so are unknown. Little fish have potential to become big fish, someday.
As a proud little fish, I'd like to share something with any big fish that might come across this blog, as well as other little fish who will be big fish one day.
Never underestimate the power you hold over a little fish.
Okay, enough with the fish.
I've had two experiences this week in which someone I consider to be a big, important, local celebrity took the time to show concern specifically for me. In both cases, these people I admire and respect went out of their way to help and support me, and it meant so much. I consider myself a confident person, and I think that I'm special, just like everyone else. I have something the offer that no one else does, and when someone I look up to takes the time to single me out and offer me encouragement, it validates me. The unsolicited positive reinforcement of someone you admire is something you remember for years.
The other part of this phenomenon is that it's not what either of these people said to me that made the difference. Words don't mean much, most of the time. It's what they did. One of these people spent 25 minutes talking with me when all I was expecting when I asked for advice was a 3 minute exchange. Of course I benefited from the advice I received, but the part of the story I love to remember is the time this person dedicated to helping me. It made me feel so special.
Big fish: remember that the opposite is also true. You hold tremendous power to build up the little fish, and equally tremendous power to tear them apart. Watch what you say, and for goodness sake, never tell a little fish they can't reach their goals! Remember that it takes four positive experiences to outweigh a negative one. Do a little fish a favor and let them put a positive in the bank.
Here's today's song. It's a new goodbye song I learned. I think it's especially cute... and catchy too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XrL_F6tnT4
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Last two weeks of classes = Gag me with a fork
Dear 11 loyal followers,
I have lots of ideas forming about really awesome must-read blog posts, but the end of semester rush is not permitting me to write. Thank you for following my blog (you really have no idea how excited I am the ELEVEN whole people care to read my blog), and I will be back soon!
In the meantime, here are some stress-relieving ideas for you.
1. Play an instrument and/or sing. Don't practice, don't worry about your sound, don't let any pressure be on you. Find a song that makes you feel peaceful and just make music. For yourself.
2. Know when it's time to throw in the towel, at least for a little while. Watch a kids TV show. Crochet. Lie on the ground and giggle. Whatever it is for you, allow yourself time to stop worrying and thinking about your to-do list. It's all about balance.
3. Don't underestimate the importance of eating and sleeping. Sleep is always near the top of my priority list, but when I'm really stressed I have no appetite at all. Food stops looking tasty. It's very, very sad. Remember to eat green things and fruits. Your brain and body need them.
4. Exercise is more therapeutic than it seems. When I'm stressed and tired, going for a jog is almost last on my list, but it can help dissipate frustration and anxiety.
This is what I do, ideally, when I'm stressed. What are your stress-busting techniques?
I have lots of ideas forming about really awesome must-read blog posts, but the end of semester rush is not permitting me to write. Thank you for following my blog (you really have no idea how excited I am the ELEVEN whole people care to read my blog), and I will be back soon!
In the meantime, here are some stress-relieving ideas for you.
1. Play an instrument and/or sing. Don't practice, don't worry about your sound, don't let any pressure be on you. Find a song that makes you feel peaceful and just make music. For yourself.
2. Know when it's time to throw in the towel, at least for a little while. Watch a kids TV show. Crochet. Lie on the ground and giggle. Whatever it is for you, allow yourself time to stop worrying and thinking about your to-do list. It's all about balance.
3. Don't underestimate the importance of eating and sleeping. Sleep is always near the top of my priority list, but when I'm really stressed I have no appetite at all. Food stops looking tasty. It's very, very sad. Remember to eat green things and fruits. Your brain and body need them.
4. Exercise is more therapeutic than it seems. When I'm stressed and tired, going for a jog is almost last on my list, but it can help dissipate frustration and anxiety.
This is what I do, ideally, when I'm stressed. What are your stress-busting techniques?
Friday, April 8, 2011
No more fears!
Get it? Like "No more tears!", the label on baby soap bottles? Ha.
I love puns, so you may hopefully you're a shake-your-head-and-chuckle sort of pun audience and not so much a wow-I-can't-believe-you're-that-lame sort.
I have a funny pun story at to tell you at the end of this post.
(P.S. That was supposed to make you keep reading, not click away.)
When I began to realize that I saw working in a hospital in my future plans, I also realized that my fear of shots had the potential to hold me back.
I only have a few legitimate, freak-out-beyond-reason sort of fears. Cockroaches, scorpions, stinging insects, and shots are pretty much it. The first three just sort of sneak up on you and you have to deal with them as needed, which I can usually do, while freaking out and trying to find anyone else possibly available to save me from the scary insect. However, when it comes to shots, you're walking into the beehive. On purpose.
My fear of shots had been worsening for several years. Each time I went, I was more nervous than the time before, until the time I almost fainted walking out of the clinic because I'd worked myself up so much. Later in my freshman year of college, I had to get allergy tested and they announced that they'd be giving me 10 injections in my forearm. Needless to say, I didn't make it. I fainted after number four.
After that experience, I avoided shots for as long as possible. My mother kept pressing me to get allergy shots, since I'm pretty much allergic to breathing, but I resisted. It was not worth the terror and stress, I told myself. I was living my life around my fear.
Last December I decided I'd had enough. I knew that I was going to need to get a PPD skin test done in order to be in the practicum of my dreams, and I was not going to let myself get in the way. So I took my brother with me for moral support (he's good at making mole hills when you think you're facing mountains), and got myself a flu shot. How? By employing these tricks:
1. Positive self-talk- I told myself I wasn't afraid. I told myself it hardly hurts at all. I told myself it was better than the flu. I told myself I wasn't afraid some more. It actually helped a lot, silly as it sounds. You can't simultaneously think "I'M TERRIFIED" and "Shots don't scare me!!". Mutually exclusive thinking. It works.
2. Transportable support- my brother encouraged me the whole time, talking about unrelated things, telling me I was being ridiculous when I got scared, and encouraging my positive self-talk.
3. Treat yourself- Walking into the drugstore to get the shot, I passed a bowl full of my favorite dark chocolate truffles. I promised myself one if I got through it. Moms do the same thing when they take their little hunnies to get ice cream after getting stitches. Kids, mom always knows best.
The most valuable lesson I took away was the power of positive thinking. (Isn't that a book?? hm...) I stopped myself from thinking about my own fear, and from rehearsing past bad experiences in my head. My nerves didn't even have time to work themselves up before it was over.
As therapists, we spend a lot of time finding ways for people to work with themselves and overcome their problems and fears, but it's easy to forget to use the same techniques on yourself. We do this because it works!
Pun story: One time after the hurricanes hit south Florida, leaving many electric signs broken, I saw a broken Sears sign that said "EARS". I still laugh about it. Not long after, we saw "Men's earhouse". Okay, so maybe it's not really a pun. Still, word humor is the best.
I probably should have blogged longer before revealing my corny sense of humor. Ah well. Now you know the truth.
Also, I've decided to include a song I use in my (thus far limited) music therapy experience with each post, so here's the first one: It's called "Middle of the Night":
http://www.songsforteaching.com/billyjonas/nocturnal.htm
I use this with kids and use different instruments for each animal. I've also adapted it as an early reading activity and a drum circle activity.
I love puns, so you may hopefully you're a shake-your-head-and-chuckle sort of pun audience and not so much a wow-I-can't-believe-you're-that-lame sort.
I have a funny pun story at to tell you at the end of this post.
(P.S. That was supposed to make you keep reading, not click away.)
When I began to realize that I saw working in a hospital in my future plans, I also realized that my fear of shots had the potential to hold me back.
I only have a few legitimate, freak-out-beyond-reason sort of fears. Cockroaches, scorpions, stinging insects, and shots are pretty much it. The first three just sort of sneak up on you and you have to deal with them as needed, which I can usually do, while freaking out and trying to find anyone else possibly available to save me from the scary insect. However, when it comes to shots, you're walking into the beehive. On purpose.
My fear of shots had been worsening for several years. Each time I went, I was more nervous than the time before, until the time I almost fainted walking out of the clinic because I'd worked myself up so much. Later in my freshman year of college, I had to get allergy tested and they announced that they'd be giving me 10 injections in my forearm. Needless to say, I didn't make it. I fainted after number four.
After that experience, I avoided shots for as long as possible. My mother kept pressing me to get allergy shots, since I'm pretty much allergic to breathing, but I resisted. It was not worth the terror and stress, I told myself. I was living my life around my fear.
Last December I decided I'd had enough. I knew that I was going to need to get a PPD skin test done in order to be in the practicum of my dreams, and I was not going to let myself get in the way. So I took my brother with me for moral support (he's good at making mole hills when you think you're facing mountains), and got myself a flu shot. How? By employing these tricks:
1. Positive self-talk- I told myself I wasn't afraid. I told myself it hardly hurts at all. I told myself it was better than the flu. I told myself I wasn't afraid some more. It actually helped a lot, silly as it sounds. You can't simultaneously think "I'M TERRIFIED" and "Shots don't scare me!!". Mutually exclusive thinking. It works.
2. Transportable support- my brother encouraged me the whole time, talking about unrelated things, telling me I was being ridiculous when I got scared, and encouraging my positive self-talk.
3. Treat yourself- Walking into the drugstore to get the shot, I passed a bowl full of my favorite dark chocolate truffles. I promised myself one if I got through it. Moms do the same thing when they take their little hunnies to get ice cream after getting stitches. Kids, mom always knows best.
The most valuable lesson I took away was the power of positive thinking. (Isn't that a book?? hm...) I stopped myself from thinking about my own fear, and from rehearsing past bad experiences in my head. My nerves didn't even have time to work themselves up before it was over.
As therapists, we spend a lot of time finding ways for people to work with themselves and overcome their problems and fears, but it's easy to forget to use the same techniques on yourself. We do this because it works!
Pun story: One time after the hurricanes hit south Florida, leaving many electric signs broken, I saw a broken Sears sign that said "EARS". I still laugh about it. Not long after, we saw "Men's earhouse". Okay, so maybe it's not really a pun. Still, word humor is the best.
I probably should have blogged longer before revealing my corny sense of humor. Ah well. Now you know the truth.
Also, I've decided to include a song I use in my (thus far limited) music therapy experience with each post, so here's the first one: It's called "Middle of the Night":
http://www.songsforteaching.com/billyjonas/nocturnal.htm
I use this with kids and use different instruments for each animal. I've also adapted it as an early reading activity and a drum circle activity.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Networking like a G6!!
Natalie Mullis, MT-BC, recently asked me to write a guest blog for her about my experience at SER-AMTA conference last week. Instead of reposting the entry here, (so that my blog is less sad looking), I'd figure I'd link to it. Hooray reciprocal blog post linking!
http://www.keychangesmusictherapy.com/2011/04/guest-post-to-jump-or-not-to-jump-a-students-transformation#more-1010
Natalie Mullis, MT-BC, is the owner and operator of Key Changes Music Therapy Services, LLC. She can be found at her website, http://www.keychangesmusictherapy.com/.
http://www.keychangesmusictherapy.com/2011/04/guest-post-to-jump-or-not-to-jump-a-students-transformation#more-1010
Natalie Mullis, MT-BC, is the owner and operator of Key Changes Music Therapy Services, LLC. She can be found at her website, http://www.keychangesmusictherapy.com/.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Blogging: The New AIM
Remember when AIM was the thing to be into? Well now, apparently, it's blogging. I blogged throughout my angsty teenage years and have started at least four since, but going to SER-AMTA '11 convinced me start over... again.
I'm intending this blog as a networking, sharing, and recieving tool for me and other music therapy students and professionals (who would deign to read a little fish's blog). I don't always feel like I have much to share, being a student surrounded by amazing professionals and professors who have been doing this forever, but I do have a mind that is all my own. Something unique is bound to come out of it, and someone is bound to benefit from it.
So, why "Diary of a Wimpy Music Therapy Student"?
1. I am a music therapy student.
2. My primary interest is in working with children, so the idea of using a parody of a popular children's series title (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) appealed to me.
3. The only thing I love more than music therapy is my Creator, and the best way for me to keep clinging to His power and not my own skills and knowledge is by reminding myself that I'm pretty wimpy. In comparison to the power and vastness of God, I'm downright (straight up?) wimpy. And I like it that way.
So, here's to adventure!
I'm intending this blog as a networking, sharing, and recieving tool for me and other music therapy students and professionals (who would deign to read a little fish's blog). I don't always feel like I have much to share, being a student surrounded by amazing professionals and professors who have been doing this forever, but I do have a mind that is all my own. Something unique is bound to come out of it, and someone is bound to benefit from it.
So, why "Diary of a Wimpy Music Therapy Student"?
1. I am a music therapy student.
2. My primary interest is in working with children, so the idea of using a parody of a popular children's series title (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) appealed to me.
3. The only thing I love more than music therapy is my Creator, and the best way for me to keep clinging to His power and not my own skills and knowledge is by reminding myself that I'm pretty wimpy. In comparison to the power and vastness of God, I'm downright (straight up?) wimpy. And I like it that way.
So, here's to adventure!
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