Musical Reflections

Seems like this post is more important than ever … I recently heard a story about Irving Berlin and the beautiful patriotic song, “God Bless America!”

Irving Berlin had a “reject trunk” where he stored songs that weren’t worthy of continuing to work on and/or produce. He placed “God Bless America” in there around 1918. Then, 20 years later, Kate Smith came to Mr. Berlin in need of a song for her radio show. He pulled out “God Bless America,” finished it and it was first introduced on Armistice Day in 1938.

If you would like to download this beautiful song on the harp, click here.

I have been passionate about and working towards world peace for much of my life. It all started in 1982 when I returned to the U.S. after living in Switzerland for six months on the International Four-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) program.

The IFYE program has been uninterrupted for 72 years … until the coronavirus. This year, the program is suspended to keep everyone involved as safe as possible. Personally, I know this is the right decision but it is still hard to “wrap my mind around” not having exchanges in both directions (going to international destinations and coming to America). The communication I received letting me know of this suspended decision made it very clear that “the show will go on” next year!

On a different note, but still related to world peace – have you noticed how we now care about Italians and Spaniards and Koreans and someone in Boise, ID and Miami, FL? Never before has every person in the world cared about one issue – the coronavirus. Isn’t that incredible?! Talk about the world coming together … for peace and harmony. We truly are all connected now! It’s been a long time coming … it is certainly feeling like we have arrived and world peace is possible!

You have likely seen the book or heard the expression, “All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten.” Well, recently on Facebook, I saw a post (and I don’t know who posted it – otherwise, I would give you credit), “All I Need to Know About Life, I Learned from a Harp.” (I am also not sure who the author of the sayings is – again, I’m happy to give credit once I learn who wrote it.)

Some of these are quite applicable to our times:

• Take it one note at a time.
• Never stop playing.
• When in doubt, gliss. (For non-harpists “gliss” means glissando – what the harp is best known for!)
• Hug your harp and you will vibrate.
• Some days it’s OK to be out of tune.
• Life is not a dress rehearsal … harp on it!
• Heaven can wait – harpists are pre-registered.
• Buzzing is a sound in nature.
• Touch someone’s harp – go to jail. That’s the law!

We love the harp and hope you do, too. Enjoy … in joy!

In the last blog post, I talked about I’m a musician who also loves sports!

And interestingly, I had an intense dream as the economy was collapsing connected to the coronavirus. Here’s the dream…

I was in a parking lot and I was talking with several professional sports players. They were lamenting they couldn’t play and consequently, make their huge salaries. I said, “Maybe it’s time for our culture/world to ‘get’ that we need harp therapy and music, and not sports to help us heal.”

I awoke with hope! Perhaps music and musical groups can finally become valued, well paid(!), as well as model teamwork and cooperation. With sports, it is always about competition as someone wins and the other loses. A music concert/event leaves everyone feeling a winner! I believe this dream/vision also includes artists and the entire healing community.

Was my dream a part of the new paradigm that is being created? We’ll see … we can hope, right?!

Maybe you are thinking these two words, harp/sports, don’t go together … and you likely wouldn’t be the only person to think that!!

I grew up with parents who were avid University of Nebraska fans … and the “apple didn’t fall far from that tree!!” Therefore, yes I do love sports! It is not the first thing I share about myself, so in a way, I’m sort of a “closet fan.”

During the fall and early 2019 winter, I enjoyed watching/listening to the Nebraska girls’ volleyball games. (The football team was a disaster this year, so that’s a different story!!) The girls’ coach, John Cook, shared an interesting motivational story with the girls and it seems worthy of passing along, regardless if you like sports (and prefer harp music!).

In 2018, the Nebraska girls played in the National Championship and lost to Stanford. The coach felt like the NE team didn’t finish, so he came up with this inspirational metaphor – 29,029, the height of Mt. Everest. In his speeches about this, he says, “Mt. Everest is 29,029 feet, but many people say the height is just 29,000. They forget the final 29 feet and these are the most difficult of the whole climb. In fact, many climbers don’t make those final feet – just like we fell in 2018 in the Championship game. Focus on finishing – even the LAST 29 feet.”

Definitely good “food for thought,” right?!

Do you know why “Taps” is played at military funerals? (If you don’t know, I didn’t either and saw this on Facebook, found it interesting and decided to share it.)

During the Civil War in 1862, Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men in Virginia near Harrison’s Landing. The Confederate Army was just on the other side of a narrow strip of land.

In the night, Captain Elli heard a solider moaning who laid severely wounded in the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his camp.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the soldier’s face; it was his own son. (The son had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy had enlisted in the Confederate Army.)

Even though the son was of enemy status, the next morning, the heartbroken father asked his superiors’ permission to give his son a full military burial, including a group of Army band members to play a funeral dirge. The request was rejected since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they agreed to give him only one musician – a buglar. The father asked the buglar to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in his dead son’s uniform pocket. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody of “Taps” was born. The words from the son’s pocket:

Verse 1 – Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lakes. From the hills. From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.

Verse 2 – Fading light. Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky. Gleaming bright. From afar. Drawing nigh. Falls the night.

Verse 3 – Thanks and praise. For our days. Neath the sun. Neath the stars. Neath the sky. As we go. This we know. God is nigh.

Sound healing is a hot topic and Richway International (the BioMat’s parent company) just introduced a sound healing product!

The BioAcoustic Mat is vibroacoustic therapy using a combination of vibrations and music to help improve your overall well-being and health. If you already own a BioMat, you place your mat on top of the BioAcoustic Mat to use the two products together. Or you may enjoy the BioAcoustic Mat as a separate product (without the BioMat).

This unique music therapy device uses transducers and speakers that are located throughout the mat. The speakers produce vibrations that go directly into areas of the body to reduce pain and ease any symptoms. This can feel like a deep cellular, whole body massage. Specific benefits of vibroacoustic therapy have been proved by research:

• Relaxation occurs.
• It can help manage pain and provide relief from pain.
• Patients using vibroacoustic therapy have also kept muscles stimulated, as well as increased their range of motion.

The BioAcoustic Mat comes in two sizes:

• Professional (fits on a massage table) – $1,650, free shipping and no sales tax
• Single (fits on a twin bed) – $2,200, free shipping and no sales tax

Testimonial:

“Using the BioAcoustic Mat with the BioMat is a complete state of bliss!!”

If you are interested in trying this product for renewal, relaxation or rejuvenation, contact me at 952-829-1919.

It was many years ago when I last attended a live music concert. And for my “big” birthday this past summer, my sister gave me a ticket for the Celine Dion concert in Minneapolis on November 1st.

To say I loved it is a huge under-statement!! It was AMAZING! She was a dynamo who has an incredible singing voice and is so physically fit. Everything – from the lights to the décor to her costume changes to her fabulous band – was perfect and so well done.

This concert was her introduction to her newest album called “Courage.” It’s an anthem to all that she’s been through in the past – the loss of her husband and brother within a short period of time. She sang a couple songs from this new album and while those weren’t my favorites, it is hard to say what was my favorite. In other words, each song just kept getting better and better!

The next morning, I jumped on-line to read the reviews. I’m happy to report others liked her concert as much as I did! I can’t wait until she returns to the Twin Cities … and yes, I’ll be a definite to attend!!

After being asked repeatedly to share my “secrets” to playing the harp therapeutically, I have created a new eight-week offering! In these experiential lessons, we explore different practical tips and demonstrate musical techniques that are effective at the hospital and hospice bedside. The agenda is individually customized for each harpist’s needs and will include:

• Week 1 – The energy of the harp (as it relates to harp therapy)
• Week 2 – the energy of the harpist (physical/body mechanics)
• Week 3 – the energy of the harpist (emotional)
• Week 4 – the energy of the harpist (mental)
• Week 5 – the energy of the harpist (spiritual)
• Week 6 – the energy of harp therapy 1
• Week 7 – the energy of harp therapy 2
• Week 8 – the energy of the harp therapy mission

From these engaging lessons, you will expand your therapeutic musicality and be more prepared to study in a certified harp therapy program and/or offer harp therapy services.

These therapeutic harp lessons are offered in person (Minneapolis/St. Paul area) or via Skype or Zoom. Each lesson is one hour; practice time (on your own) is 3-4 hours per week (minimum) to re-wire your playing patterns. Fees for eight lessons is $400 (if paid weekly). There is a $50 discount if paid up-front (total is $350). For payment arrangements, contact Tami. I look forward to working with you at this special time in your journey!

I am excited to share my newest endeavor with you – www.YourHealingHappens.com.

As a newly certified Inner Alignment coach with a specialty in trauma and grief, I provide a unique coaching experience to help facilitate your healing journey. Working with all six layers of the body (physical, emotional, mental, energetic, awareness and bliss bodies), clients transform from being stressed and overwhelmed to feeling empowered, balanced and focused. Further, this healing program is designed to facilitate clients expanding and expressing their true essence, awakening to their life purpose and manifesting their heart’s desires. What you “work” on (your life purpose or work, abundance, relationships, health, etc.) is determined by you! It is an eight-week power-packed healing process. Client objectives are customized for each individual and are not limited to, but may include:

• “Break up” stuck patterns of trauma, grief and pain.
• Open up possibilities for healing.
• Help bring you into balance and inner alignment.
• Release emotional pain from yester-year.
• Expand your consciousness and increase your ability to hold more light.
• Attract a better future.

You experience the 1-2 hour weekly sessions from the comfort of your home or office – on the phone or via Zoom (videoconferencing). Text and email support is available throughout the eight weeks of the program. The program includes videos, audios, workbooks and PowerPoints, and begins as soon as payment is received.

Previous clients have said…

• I am manifesting my life dreams!
• I’m calmer and not as stressed.
• I trust my inner knowing.
• I am more compassionate with myself and others.
• I am more grounded, balanced and focused … and I’m clearer about my priorities.
• I feel more in control of my life and I’m taking better care of myself.

If this program resonates with you, I would be honored to facilitate the Inner Alignment process as part of your healing journey. For a limited time, I am accepting scholarships to the Inner Alignment program. Contact me for the application form or for additional information. Click here for my new website and my profile. I look forward to working together!