Musical Reflections

A great joy for me is to speak and play the harp. And this month, I am honored to connect with three different groups:

• April 12 – the St. Paul chapter of The Compassionate Friends monthly meeting. “Sounds of Healing: Using Music in the Grief Journey,” Beaver Lake Lutheran Church, 2280 Stillwater Ave., Maplewood, MN, 7 p.m.
• April 16 -  Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care annual conference. “Sounds of Healing: Music and the Caregiving Journey,” Airport Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, MN, 10:45 a.m.
• April 28 – South Dakota Parkinson’s Association annual conference at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. 

Parkinson’s is “near and dear” to my heart – I lost an Uncle to Parkinson’s and my beloved Dad is currently journeying with it. Click here if you’d like more information about my presentation on this topic.

Do you need an in-service for your staff or a Healing Harp Concert at your location/conference? I love to share my message and music with groups. At each presentation, I bring:

• my harp.
• poignant moments, practical tips and peace.
• new ideas about using therapeutic music with intention.
• an inspirational message and immediate application.

If you are interested in having me conduct a presentation at your location, I welcome these opportunities. Click here for more information. I look forward to working together!

Often in my presentations, I mention my experience living in Switzerland as an IFYE (International Four-H Youth Exchange or sometimes we referred to ourselves as I‘m the Fool You Expected, depending on the day and culture shock!!).

One of the IFYE alumni members recently went to Iraq to set up 4-H clubs across the country, giving children and young people something positive and hopeful to focus on. I am deeply inspired by this special project and now see possibilities that healing can happen from a very different angle!

If you are interested in learning more, click here and go to p. 4 and 5. Perhaps the IFYE acronym should also be I‘m the FRIEND You Expected!

Here’s to holding the vision of world peace … bringing a youth development/leadership organization to a worn-torn region is an important first step.

A Happy Thanksgiving message from Tami Briggs (Musical Reflections’ founder) –

Thanksgiving is a favorite time to reflect on all of the things I’m grateful for.  I love to think about five things everyday. And for the year, I’m deeply grateful for:

• Your continued support, as well as your feedback, ideas and encouragement.
• All of the patients and families who allow me into their lives at a most vulnerable time of illness.
• The healthcare staff at the numerous hospitals where I’ve had the opportunity to play for those they serve.
• The opportunity to speak and play in front of thousands at healthcare conferences, sharing the special message of music and healing.
• Sharing my music with thousands on my website, as well as through retail shops and stores – on CDs, downloads, DVDs and via the AMMM Machine.
• The hundreds of people who follow me on Twitter (@HarpForHealing) and the wonderful people I am following. It is a window into people’s lives all over the world. I would never have this opportunity to connect without these unique technical programs.
• Time to enjoy my parents this week, as well as prepare for the very busy month of December.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

I am honored to have the opportunity to speak and play all over the country. These are some of the many 2011 highlights:

• Care Providers, Minneapolis, MN, November 2011.
• Mayo Clinic’s Quest for Quality, Rochester, MN, October 2011.
• Iowa Hospice conference, Ames, IA, October 2011.
• International Parish Nursing Symposium, St. Louis, MO, September 2011.
• American Institute of Medical Education, Santa Fe, NM, August 2011.
• Avera Sacred Heart HealthCare System; Yankton, SD, July 2011.
• The Compassionate Friends national conference; Minneapolis, MN, July 2011.
• Health Ministries Association Summit; Chicago, IL, June 2011.
• Holistic Health and Healing Institute; Woodbury, MN, June 2011.
• Healing Harp Concert at Hope Presbyterian Church; Spicer, MN, June 2011.
• Care for the Caregiver; Eau Claire, WI, May 2011.
• Mayo Clinic Cancer Care Connections; Rochester, MN, April 2011.
• Association of Professional Chaplains national conference; Dallas, TX, March 2011.
• Integrative Therapies Retreat; St. Paul, MN, February 2011.
• Washington County Senior Workers; Stillwater, MN, January 2011.

I still have some availability in 2012 … I would be happy to present/play at your special event and I look forward to working together!

I always love to have time to review what has transpired over the past months, especially reflecting on my “gigs.”

One of my favorites happened in late May in honor of Nurses Week for the HealthEast Healthcare System. Dr. Jean Watson, founder of Watson Caring Science Institute, was the featured speaker and what an awesome experience to be in her lovely presence for three days … wow!  Her work on caring science touches me deeply. Even though she focuses on nursing (and I’m not a nurse), her heart-felt message is so applicable to all of us. I’m still processing everything she said … more on this as the insights continue to “come in.”

To give Dr. Watson a break, I was invited to do a presentation, “Entraining Peace and Engaging Presence.”  While I always love to speak, sometimes the sessions are really special … and this was one of them! After Dr. Watson had created such a loving, sacred space, my job was easy. Our messages are so congruent … music can be one important component to creating a healing, caring environment … what an honor to “share the stage” with her.

I am excited to share three upcoming presentations. If you are interested in the topic of music and healing, come join us!

• October 26-27 – Iowa Hospice conference in Ames, IA. Break-out session at 2:45-3:45 on October 26.
• October 31-November 1 – Mayo Clinic’s Quest for Quality national conference in Rochester, MN. Break-out session at 9:45-10:30 on October 31.
• November 14-16 – Care Providers conference in Minneapolis, MN. Break-out session at 12:15-1:30 on November 15.

I will also be doing a presentation the 14^th of November on my newest book called “Women as Healers.” If you would like more information about this offering, click here.

I look forward to connecting with you…

One of my great joys is to take a road trip with my harp. Over the summer, I went to Madison and Milwaukee, WI, and Chicago, IL … it was a mix of concerts, conferences, retreats and educational sessions. One of the women I stayed with took me to a fun coffee shop and the photo above is how my drink was served to me – with a heart and flower!!  What a great example of being creative, caring about customers, adding beauty in a unique way and paying special attention to details. Loved every minute!!

I am excited to return to the state where I grew up (Missouri) for the Westberg Parish Nursing Symposium in St. Louis, September 16-18.

I will be leading a worship service on September 17 at 8:30 a.m. and also doing a break-out session on September 17 at 1:00 p.m. entitled “Sounds of Healing: Using Music in Your Healing Ministry.”

This is a special year celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Granger Westberg’s initial vision for parish nurses, faith-community nurses and health ministers.

Come join us if you feel called to attend…

Yesterday, I presented to the Edina Professionals Servings Seniors (EPSS) group – a networking organization where everyone in attendance is passionate about serving seniors. We had a great time together!

And seniors love the harp. Its music is gentle, relaxing, calm, mellow, beautiful … this age group appreciates and “gets” the harp. And I love sharing it with them via live performances, as well as CDs.

I was introduced to Dr. Jean Watson’s work several years ago. She is a nurse researcher with a focused interest on caring. Dr. Watson is a national speaker and has conducted numerous research studies on this topic of caring in the healthcare environment.

In honor of Nurses Week, Dr. Watson will be speaking at Woodwinds Hospital/HealthEast Care System. I will have an opportunity to play at an opening reception for her on May 24, as well as do a one-hour presentation on May 25 during her visit to Woodbury, MN.  What an honor to be a part of this special time with a woman I admire so much!