This year for Father’s Day I gave my husband, Ron, A CD by Darius Rucker (formerly Hootie of Hootie and the Blowfish.) I loved the entire CD and the feel of his music, but my attention was immediately captured by the chorus of one of his songs because I totally related to the simple message it portrays. It goes like this:
I need some front porch rockin”
some back street walkin”
some sittin’ ‘round talkin’ ‘bout nothin’
I need the screen door slammin’
some homemade jam an’
some biscuits bakin’ in the oven
I need a little fun with my little one
a little gospel on Sunday
I need some hangin’ ‘round my little town
in a big way.
While I was humming the chorus of this catchy tune I made my way to clean up after our Sunday gathering where 13 of us met for dinner. I found melted ice cream on the table, paper napkins scattered about, a couple of dessert dishes near some empty pop cans and the chairs were all askew. I chuckled with gratitude as I recalled our evening together. It seems that when we gather the stories get bigger, the laughter gets louder and the family roots go deeper. Bonding and chillin’ together is so therapeutic and all of us left feeling better than when we came.
Whether we are planning a wedding, waiting for a grandchild to be born, celebrating a graduation, fighting our way through an emotional rough spot, trudging through Cancer treatments, stretching an already t-i-g-h-t budget, emerging on the other side of a divorce, or simply gathering for a Sunday Dinner, there is much strength and comfort in “Sittin’ ‘round talkin’ ‘bout nothin’!” In our fast paced life these days perhaps we should make time to do it a little more often.
Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member, Lifting Hearts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Friday, July 13, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
TUESDAY TIPS - Sing Along
Today, I'd like to point you to a post on Brenda Coffee's Breast Cancer Sisterhood. It's about the healing power of music. I whole-heartedly believe in this power to heal. I love music. Brenda talks about singing along with the song "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", and forgetting - for a moment - her troubles. I've had the same experience over and over again. I encourage you to read THIS post.
I wrote a similar post about music on July 25, 2011. Here is the link to that post, I you'd like to read it: MUSIC
I'll leave you with a quote I used in my previous post:
"When griping grief the heart doth wound, and doleful dumps the mind oppresses, then music, with her silver sound, with speedy help doth lend redress." -William Shakespeare
(Many of our members love music as well... take a few minutes to scroll down to the bottom of the blog, and listen to some of our members' favorite music.)
I wrote a similar post about music on July 25, 2011. Here is the link to that post, I you'd like to read it: MUSIC
I'll leave you with a quote I used in my previous post:
"When griping grief the heart doth wound, and doleful dumps the mind oppresses, then music, with her silver sound, with speedy help doth lend redress." -William Shakespeare
(Many of our members love music as well... take a few minutes to scroll down to the bottom of the blog, and listen to some of our members' favorite music.)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
SATURDAY STRENGTH: Relaxation Exercises
I was recently reading about ways to control pain, and I stumbled across an article on WebMD about stress relaxation and natural pain relief. The article talked about how chronic stress is one factor that contributes to chronic pain. It went on to mention the benefits of relaxation exercises...
"The good news is that you can get natural pain relief by making relaxation exercises a part of your pain-management plan."
"Relaxation exercises calm your mind, reduce stress hormones in your blood, relax your muscles, and elevate your sense of well-being. Using them regularly can lead to long-term changes in your body to counteract the harmful effects of stress."
I thought I'd share a few of the relaxation exercises they list here...
Foursquare breathing. Breathe deeply, so that your abdomen expands and contracts like a balloon with each breath. Inhale to a count of four, hold for a count of four, exhale to a count of four, then hold to a count of four. Repeat for ten cycles.
Guided imagery. Breathe slowly and deeply. For example, imagine a tranquil scene in which you feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Include colors, sounds, smells, and your feelings. Do five to ten minutes each day.
Mindfulness meditation. Sit or lie quietly and notice your breathing without controlling it. If pain or thoughts interfere, simply notice them without trying to push them away. Think of them as a cloud passing over; then return to observing your breath. Do this for about 20 minutes.
There are a few other options for relaxation exercises in the article HERE.
I tried some breathing exercises while I was at a cancer retreat, and was surprised at how effective they were. The article also mentioned a few other "relaxation methods:
"Choose whatever relaxes you: music, prayer, gardening, going for a walk, talking with a friend on the phone."
Yesterday, I was going through my music, looking for something that would help calm me. I love music, and so I was pleased to see that listed in the WebMD article. If you like spiritual music, try these:
"On This Holy Day" by Mark Geslison & Geoff Groberg (these are instrumental hymn arrangements)
"My Redeemer Lives" Series (4 CDs) by Todd McCabe (piano), and April Moriarty (violin)
Volume 1: Calvary, Volume 2: Galilee, Volume 3: Bethlehem (Christmas), Volume 4: Gethsemane
Try playing some relaxing, inspirational music while you do the breathing techniques listed in the article.
"The good news is that you can get natural pain relief by making relaxation exercises a part of your pain-management plan."
"Relaxation exercises calm your mind, reduce stress hormones in your blood, relax your muscles, and elevate your sense of well-being. Using them regularly can lead to long-term changes in your body to counteract the harmful effects of stress."
I thought I'd share a few of the relaxation exercises they list here...
Foursquare breathing. Breathe deeply, so that your abdomen expands and contracts like a balloon with each breath. Inhale to a count of four, hold for a count of four, exhale to a count of four, then hold to a count of four. Repeat for ten cycles.
Guided imagery. Breathe slowly and deeply. For example, imagine a tranquil scene in which you feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Include colors, sounds, smells, and your feelings. Do five to ten minutes each day.
Mindfulness meditation. Sit or lie quietly and notice your breathing without controlling it. If pain or thoughts interfere, simply notice them without trying to push them away. Think of them as a cloud passing over; then return to observing your breath. Do this for about 20 minutes.
There are a few other options for relaxation exercises in the article HERE.
I tried some breathing exercises while I was at a cancer retreat, and was surprised at how effective they were. The article also mentioned a few other "relaxation methods:
"Choose whatever relaxes you: music, prayer, gardening, going for a walk, talking with a friend on the phone."
Yesterday, I was going through my music, looking for something that would help calm me. I love music, and so I was pleased to see that listed in the WebMD article. If you like spiritual music, try these:
"On This Holy Day" by Mark Geslison & Geoff Groberg (these are instrumental hymn arrangements)
"My Redeemer Lives" Series (4 CDs) by Todd McCabe (piano), and April Moriarty (violin)
Volume 1: Calvary, Volume 2: Galilee, Volume 3: Bethlehem (Christmas), Volume 4: Gethsemane
Try playing some relaxing, inspirational music while you do the breathing techniques listed in the article.
Monday, July 25, 2011
MONDAY MENTIONABLES - The Healing Power of Music
"When griping grief the heart doth wound, and doleful dumps the mind oppresses, then music, with her silver sound, with speedy help doth lend redress." -William Shakespeare
A few weeks ago, as I was waiting in a doctor's office for my son, I read an interesting article in a magazine called "Healthy Utah". The article was about the healing power of music. It was called "The Sound of Music - Health and Healing" by Sarah Sanders
I thought I'd share some of that article here...
Ms. Sanders sited a study at Tel Aviv University that "found that premature babies who listen to music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may gain weight faster than those who don't." There have also been studies on the effects of happiness - laughter can open up blood vessels, allowing better circulation, and music also can impact your blood pressure and stress levels. Dr. Mike Miller, of the Maryland Medical Center said: "Turns out music may be one of the best de-stressors - either by playing or even listening to music. It gives us an overall feeling of good, well-being, a sense of euphoria in some cases."
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." --Berthold Auerbach
In addition to this article that I read, I watched a NOVA episode on music. It was really amazing. The episode was called Musical Minds, and showed how the power of music can make the brain come alive. It followed 2 different people, one with autism and one with Tourette's syndrome. I watched in wonder as the individual with severe autism was able to play the most beautiful music on the piano. I'm a pianist, and I know how much work goes in to playing well. This man is able to listen to a highly complex piece of music once, and then play it back perfectly. During the time that he plays, he is the master of his universe. The man with Tourette's syndrome found that if he plays the drums, he isn't affected by Tourette's. He shakes and jerks severely until he picks up the drum sticks - and then he plays perfectly. And for the time that he is playing, he is the master of his universe.
Back to the article by Ms. Sanders... she talks about the "place music has with patients who have brain damage. Psychologist Ted Rubinstein said music is so complex that it's the only experience that activates almost every part of the brain. Music can simply bypass the brain's damaged language centers and create new pathways to the part of the brain that processes the music."
The fact that music can help us be healthy and heal intrigues me. I've noticed that, for years, whenever I'm upset, just about the only way I can calm down is by sitting down at the piano, and playing. And, my family knows that I'm upset by the way I play. I try to play songs that help me destress - they start out fast and furious, and finally I end up with soft, beautiful music. I've never wondered why I do this, until now - this article and the NOVA special can perhaps explain why.
I was taught as a child to enjoy and appreciate all kinds of music. I'm grateful for this, because different kinds of music affect me in different ways...
Rock music is what I listen to when I exercise and lift weights - it seems to get my blood pumping and keeps me going. Give me Yellowcard, Cold Play, All American Rejects - anything that has a strong beat.
When I'm walking in the morning - and the world is still and quiet - I listen to hymns played on the piano and violin. It calms my soul. I love Todd McCabe and April Moriarty's CDs.
When I'm in a romantic mood, I listen to jazz and blues. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra are some of my favorites.
When I'm feeling nostalgic, I turn on the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, or James Taylor - there is nothing better!
Every once in a while, I'll listen to the soundtrack from a favorite movie - Harry Potter, Pirates, Lord of the Rings, Phantom of the Opera - these take me right back to the theater and the excitement of seeing those shows for the first time.
In a play called "The Mourning Bride" from 1697, Almeria says: "Music has charms to soothe a savage breast". I've heard it this way - "Music calms the savage beast". My son, Alex, knows this. Whenever I get angry with him, he picks up his guitar and just starts playing. I get quite distracted when he does this, and he knows it. He knows how much I love to just sit and listen to him play. Smart kid.
What about you? Have you noticed the effects of music - can it calm you, make you feel better? What is your favorite music? Before you leave the blog today, check out the playlist at the bottom of the blog - these are songs that our members chose to share - these are the songs that help them feel better.
Have a lovely, musical, day!
-Kara
A few weeks ago, as I was waiting in a doctor's office for my son, I read an interesting article in a magazine called "Healthy Utah". The article was about the healing power of music. It was called "The Sound of Music - Health and Healing" by Sarah Sanders
I thought I'd share some of that article here...
Ms. Sanders sited a study at Tel Aviv University that "found that premature babies who listen to music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may gain weight faster than those who don't." There have also been studies on the effects of happiness - laughter can open up blood vessels, allowing better circulation, and music also can impact your blood pressure and stress levels. Dr. Mike Miller, of the Maryland Medical Center said: "Turns out music may be one of the best de-stressors - either by playing or even listening to music. It gives us an overall feeling of good, well-being, a sense of euphoria in some cases."
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." --Berthold Auerbach
In addition to this article that I read, I watched a NOVA episode on music. It was really amazing. The episode was called Musical Minds, and showed how the power of music can make the brain come alive. It followed 2 different people, one with autism and one with Tourette's syndrome. I watched in wonder as the individual with severe autism was able to play the most beautiful music on the piano. I'm a pianist, and I know how much work goes in to playing well. This man is able to listen to a highly complex piece of music once, and then play it back perfectly. During the time that he plays, he is the master of his universe. The man with Tourette's syndrome found that if he plays the drums, he isn't affected by Tourette's. He shakes and jerks severely until he picks up the drum sticks - and then he plays perfectly. And for the time that he is playing, he is the master of his universe.
Back to the article by Ms. Sanders... she talks about the "place music has with patients who have brain damage. Psychologist Ted Rubinstein said music is so complex that it's the only experience that activates almost every part of the brain. Music can simply bypass the brain's damaged language centers and create new pathways to the part of the brain that processes the music."
The fact that music can help us be healthy and heal intrigues me. I've noticed that, for years, whenever I'm upset, just about the only way I can calm down is by sitting down at the piano, and playing. And, my family knows that I'm upset by the way I play. I try to play songs that help me destress - they start out fast and furious, and finally I end up with soft, beautiful music. I've never wondered why I do this, until now - this article and the NOVA special can perhaps explain why.
I was taught as a child to enjoy and appreciate all kinds of music. I'm grateful for this, because different kinds of music affect me in different ways...
Rock music is what I listen to when I exercise and lift weights - it seems to get my blood pumping and keeps me going. Give me Yellowcard, Cold Play, All American Rejects - anything that has a strong beat.
When I'm walking in the morning - and the world is still and quiet - I listen to hymns played on the piano and violin. It calms my soul. I love Todd McCabe and April Moriarty's CDs.
When I'm in a romantic mood, I listen to jazz and blues. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra are some of my favorites.
When I'm feeling nostalgic, I turn on the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, or James Taylor - there is nothing better!
Every once in a while, I'll listen to the soundtrack from a favorite movie - Harry Potter, Pirates, Lord of the Rings, Phantom of the Opera - these take me right back to the theater and the excitement of seeing those shows for the first time.
In a play called "The Mourning Bride" from 1697, Almeria says: "Music has charms to soothe a savage breast". I've heard it this way - "Music calms the savage beast". My son, Alex, knows this. Whenever I get angry with him, he picks up his guitar and just starts playing. I get quite distracted when he does this, and he knows it. He knows how much I love to just sit and listen to him play. Smart kid.
What about you? Have you noticed the effects of music - can it calm you, make you feel better? What is your favorite music? Before you leave the blog today, check out the playlist at the bottom of the blog - these are songs that our members chose to share - these are the songs that help them feel better.
Have a lovely, musical, day!
-Kara
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