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
Thursday, April 14, 2011
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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