Musical Reflections

I play the harp in patients’ rooms, but also in the hospital corridors or hallways.

Staff who do such important work (housekeeping, unit secretaries, nurse managers, etc.) may not be thanked for their contributions and they need the music as much as anyone. When I play in the hallways or at a nursing station, these hard-working employees can pause for a moment to “fill their wells.”

Playing in these locations, I see very busy healthcare staff and stressed family members stopping for a moment to connect with their breath, lower their shoulders to release tension and just be. Many comment that they have never heard the harp or never seen it played up close and in person. Having it on the hospital floor offers a personal touch and a gentle reminder of self-care.

Music connects us to our emotions, and can be a way to process and release feelings to help with our healing journey. This is an example.

Before I entered the next patient’s room, two nurses came up and said, “This patient wants to die … he feels hopeless.” I started by playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which is a song of hope. And then, as I played for him, I was very aware of using entrainment (playing slower and s-l-o-w-e-r) so he could rest, sleep (similar to how the CD “Calm as the Night” is created).

As I finished and was moving my harp out of the room, he gently rolled over and quietly said, “I now know I’m going to be just fine.”