BreakThroughs

I had a breakthrough with one of my clients and mostly because I was really listening.
I've been sort of struggling with planning these particular sessions because its a bit outside of my comfort zone. The experiences I was trying did feel like they were connecting to the fullest.
In this past session, the client casually mentioned something about also enjoying an art class. The lightbulb came on and we spent the session doing some music listening and art then discussion. We hit all of the session objectives through this medium and the client seemed more engaged and participatory throughout. This person could explain things in more detail and with greater insight through the music and art medium than all of the previous experiences we've done together.
I left feeling excited and energized AND I left knowing exactly what I wanted to do the next session.
I love when a good plan comes together.

Mantras

How many people out there use Mantras?
Mantras are words or phrases (sometimes syllables like in yoga practice) that are supposed to create some sort of transformation. I never really thought about mantras that way until I googled it. I like that- creating transformation.

I used one yesterday in a post: Process and Move On.
Its a good one and directly related to being able to let go of things that are not worth the time and energy. I'll let you know how that one works out. I was inspired to think about more mantras I have used after yesterday's post. I like them and I think they help me. Sometimes I need to refocus my attention to the things that matter. :)

Other ones I've been known to repeat:

Breathe 
Keep Breathing 
Limitations are Not Failures
Pace yourself
Balance
Just be


Perhaps the most exciting (and most recent) mantra I've encountered was provided by my best friend Julie:

Filter and Tolerate


I crack up whenever I think about it- it's impossible to be in a sour mood and think about filtering and tolerating. It's a good one for me and in a round about way reminds me to go with the flow.


Any other good mantras out there?

Tip For Clean Living #3

3. Mind your own business.

For some reason, I have a lot of trouble with this one. :)

Sometimes things or people happen (people can happen now) and they may (in)directly produce consequences that may affect my life. And I get all worked about it or them. Often, I have very little control over the situation and instead of letting it go, I hang on to it... tightly.  Its exhausting. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I need to be spending my energy on more important things. But sometimes, I can't help it. Or rather, I haven't been willing to help it.

 Sometimes people are infuriating. Sometimes I think that I could do things better than they are being done. Sometimes I dwell on what could have happened. I'd like to remind myself that I am a capable professional and person. I am capable of contributing to positive change AND I am capable of letting things go. Like I mentioned, I could be using my energy for other important things.... like underwater basket weaving and button collecting. Those would definitely be more important than worrying about this other stuff.

so in 2012, I'm going to try and mind my own business more often. That also includes letting things go that I don't need to hang on to. Process and move on. 

Making Good

I'm making good on my desire to update more often. Yay me.

Last night I teamed up with the director for advancement to present to a local organization who helped to fund my music therapy program at the school. We thanked the organization; I made them practice the appropriate way to greet someone through song and that was it. We literally had 5 minutes. To make the trip worthwhile, we decided to grab a bite to eat afterwards in Campbell. It was nice to hang out with someone that I've never hung out with before and didn't know that well. I had a pleasant time.

Today I have a session at the preschool and regular school plus a meeting about some new collaborative projects. I feel only slightly prepared... and it seems to happen this way every Thursday morning. Maybe I'll have to add better planning for Thursdays into my new years tips for clean living. Maybe.

Everything is really positive right now. I've been asked to do an inservice next week to kick off the year and it would seem that I have a future at the organization. I'm still so excited to go to work there every week.

Thank you for the comments. You don't have to read the December 11th post anymore! :)

2012 Resolutions

While I'm at it, I wanted to think about new years resolutions.

I stopped doing resolutions a couple of years ago because I never follow through. And I've found that specific resolutions are often harder to keep 4 weeks down the line, than general and broad "tips for clean living."

So this year while everyone was making their obligatory "2011 was great... but I already know 2012 will be amazing..." posts, I was feeling a little resistant to making any sort of summary of my year (which was really positive). I hadn't figured out my key words for 2012. And truthfully, I couldn't remember what I had set out to do in 2011.

About a week ago, I guess I decided.
In 2012, I will strive for/to:

1. Balance - which means being able to say no and knowing my limits. This is often the most difficult thing to do, although I'm learning. That might also include having more fun, more active exercise (getting back into yoga) and updating my blog more often. :)


2. Pace myself - Its easy for me to bite off way more than I can chew. It's also common that I want to run right to the end product without going through the process. This year, I'd like to take my time with things and let them happen organically. You know, enjoy the ride. "Thinking before acting" also falls into this category.


I hope everyone had a wonderful new year celebration and that those resolutions, tips for clean living, promises, goals.. however you frame it... are still going strong. It is, after all, already January 11.

Happy New Year

Here's to a new year... already.
I can't believe how quickly the time passed in 2011.

My apologies for not updating, the entire month of december was a whirlwind. I had a show, my contract was in fact renewed at the school, I housesat, went on a Disneyland Bachelorette party and enjoyed the holiday season.

My school contract was renewed for the next few months while we figure out the future of the program. The school admins are supportive of what I'm doing and I am continuing to have successes (big and small) every day. In fact, I should think about hitting the road to work pretty soon here. Tonight I am teaming up with the head of advancement to give a small presentation to a local charitable group who helped fund my program. That will be fun.
I enjoy going to work every day and although I scheduled myself to have like a 3 week vacation, I am happy to be back to work. I missed my kids.

Piano lessons persist happily and I'm trying to find the time to play more shows in the spring. Between that and all of my responsibilities for the music therapy regional stuff, I am a busy lady. But I like it that way. Its almost easier to be busy and happy than to be bored. :)

Update

Hi Everyone


So sorry that I haven't updated recently. I can barely keep up with all of my documentation needs let alone the blog.

Since the last update, I attended the AMTA national conference in Atlanta and had a lovely time. I learned a lot, went to a bunch of meetings, and I even met Ben Folds, briefly. When I got back I had to hit the ground running for another musical, thanksgiving and regular sessions at the school.

Everything is going well. Everyday brings some sort of small miracles.
One of my mentors said that she loves being a music therapist because music therapy is the place for miracles. Miracle meaning something unexpected and wonderful. As a music therapist, she provides opportunities and the space for miracles to happen. I really liked that. Some days definitely feel miraculous. It feels like things are blossoming at the school as more and more teachers, staff and therapists are taking the time to talk to me..... or about me. All of it has been positive. My contract is up in a few weeks at which time we will be renegotiating. Right now it seems positive. I keep on getting emails about presentations and/or meetings, so I take that as a great sign too.

Every kid is a bit like a puzzle and I love trying to put some of the pieces together. I can't say enough how much I love working there. I am excited for the new year and continuing my work there.



Personally, I'm in the middle of a run of Disney's Tarzan. The last two shows I played - Little Shop of Horrors and now Tarzan--- have been some of the most wonderful and fun experiences. Especially Tarzan. The production is so beautiful, intricate, ambitious and artistic. The music is incredibly fun to play- I have a new appreciation for Phil Collins as a result. And the people I get to play with are incredibly gifted. I feel so lucky to be a small part of what makes this particular show go on. It makes me feel like I'm apart of something so special and I love that. One more weekend of shows, one more busy weekend of work and I will be done for the year and what a year it's been.