Musical Reflections

Whenever I exhibit at various conferences/events/shows, one of the fun things is to visit the other exhibit tables. I usually do this while the conference attendees are in session.

Recently, I was exhibiting at the Healing Beyond Borders conference and one of the other vendors was American Holistic Nurses Association. On their table, they had little, approximately three inch branches of female cottonwood trees. Only in the female (not the male) cottonwood tree, the center of the branch is a star (see photo).

Isn’t this interesting?! Don’t you love nature?! I sure do! And it is a great example of the Divine Feminine found in nature and speaking to all of us.

November is always a busy month with holiday preparations and I am excited to be “out and about” sharing the message of hope, healing and stress reduction.

• November 8 – “Music’s Role in the Parkinson’s Journey,” Iowa Parkinson’s Caregiver conference, Hilton Garden Inn, 1132 Larsen Park Road, Sioux City, IA, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• November 9 – Hermitage Farm Healing Arts Craft Fair (exhibiting the BioMat and CDs), 6415 W. River Rd. NW, Rochester, MN, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• November 10 – “Musical Harp Reflections of Peace and Gratitude,” Health and Wellness Concert, City Hall Ballroom, 205 West Center Street, 2^nd floor in Lake City, MN, 2-4 p.m.

• November 14 – “Reflections for Your Grieving Heart,” The Compassionate Friends at Beaver Lake Lutheran Church, 2280 Stillwater Ave E. Maplewood, MN, 7 p.m.

Join us if you are available…

As we transition into the New Year, it feels important to take a few minutes to reflect on the year of 2012, as well as set intentions for the upcoming year of 2013.

Here’s a few of the memorable 2012 moments:

• Licensing my CDs in various healthcare systems – at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Children’s Hospital at Scott & White, Temple, TX and Maple Grove Hospital in Maple Grove, MN to name a few…
• Presenting at many different conferences and events. It is always an honor to be in front of a group and I love speaking/playing.
• Speaking/playing at the International Harp Therapy Program conference. While I was quite nervous about this (speaking/playing in front of my peers), it was important and in a profound way, opened me to what’s next.
• Being in Indianapolis this summer … what a lovely, fulfilling time with my dear friend, Jan Erlenbaugh-Gaddis (who is also the first story in “Women as Healers: Voices of Vibrancy”).
• Completing the Beyond Surgery Program coursework, working with open-heart surgery patients for certification and receiving my Surgery Coaching certificate. This program really “spoke” to me and I am grateful I had the opportunity to do this work.
• Being in Wisconsin in December for several holiday “gigs” … what an amazing time in Green Bay and then, with my dear friend Rosemary Bilgrien (she is mentioned in the introduction of “Women as Healers: Voices of Vibrancy”).
• Creating and sending out monthly e-zines. It is a nice way to communicate with many people and is especially fun to find videos to send out. Each month, I receive positive feedback from the readers.

On a personal note:

• Having a perfect time seeing the Sandhill cranes in March with two dear aunts.
• Traveling, exploring and experiencing two Eastern European cities:  Budapest and Prague. Absolutely lovely.
• Driving through the Sandhills of Nebraska (my roots on the beautiful prairie) and the mountains – all on one trip. Really magical!
• Holding a peace meditation in my home on Election Day – holding intention, love and Highest Good for our country/the world. Also, holding space for a positive election process and that ALL who wish to vote have the honor and privilege.

And intentions for 2013 … I’m still working on them!  What are your intentions?  Continue to watch this blog for exciting updates throughout the year of 2013!

This week we are featuring my newest book, “Women as Healers: Voices of Vibrancy.” It is a book written by women for women … and makes a wonderful holiday gift for your favorite women.

As I’ve had this book on my exhibit table at various conferences and events, I’ve observed something unique:  for the women that this book “speaks to,” many pick it up and hold it over their heart. This doesn’t happen with any other product in the same way.

So I ask does this book speak to your heart? (or a friend/family member’s heart?) If so, I bet you’ll know and you can click here to order.

In mid-August, a group of harp therapists from the Midwest met in Cedar Falls, IA. We had a great time, but also got up-to-date information on the latest “happenings” from around the world.

This conference was special because both of my revered harp teachers were present! Gaylord Stauffer was my beginning harp teacher and he organized the conference; Christina Tourin, founder of the International Harp Therapy Program, has been a major influence and teacher in my harp therapy work. I am deeply grateful to both of them…

I presented a session on “Self Care for the Harp Therapy Practitioner.” It is a topic I’m very passionate about! With a few “tweeks,” I’ll be making this session available to other healthcare professionals. It’s so new that it’s not on my website yet, but watch for up-dates … coming soon!   In the meantime if you want more info, please e-mail me.

This weekend, several students and graduates of the International Harp Therapy Program (IHTP) will gather in Cedar Falls, Iowa for a conference. We will have several presentations on different topics, healthy food, time to connect … and oh yes, time to jam!  Having a room full of harps and harpists who love to play is so much fun and you can imagine the energy … as we raise the vibration, we feel like we can levitate right out of the hotel space!!

I will be speaking on self-care for harpists and I’m excited to share this topic with this group!  That said, I am also a bit nervous … I find it unnerving to speak in front of my peers. I guess I’ll have to “practice what I preach!” by breathing, centering in my heart and moving forward…

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!

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.