music, therapy, and me

I am trying really hard to make it to the end of this week. Yesterday, my last group included full frontal nudity - never something fun - and I am completely knackered. I'm frustrated by so many things right now that I am going to focus on some positives to remind me that there are positive, happy things going on in my world. I am going to end this contract year with some sick time accrued! Granted, it's not lots of time, only 4.5 hours, but still! For the first time since my my knee injury, I will have sick time carry over into the next contract year! I keep reminding myself that this is a good thing as I drag my exhausted body into work every morning - sick time accrued is good time. I will have four new team mates when this next break is over. It is a concern when a third of the teaching staff decides to leave, but it is somewhat of a blessing as well. We are really hoping that we have the teachers we need as of a week from Monday, but we don't usually have folks w...

Today is my day off. It is the only day of the week where I don't always have to do things that are part of working. It's a very good thing to have some time to be on my own, and I cherish my Saturdays. Some Saturdays, I meet via Skype or GoToMeeting with some dynamic music therapists who enrich my life immensely, but this isn't one of those Saturdays. Other than an appointment for some routine car maintenance, there is nothing that I HAVE to do! I am going to take my current book to the dealership to read while I wait for my car. After that, I may go shopping. I have some coupons for money off things. I like that. Money off. Of course, the best way to get someone to spend money is to make it seem like they are saving money, but I am happy to be convinced. I feel the need to do some more creating today. I had so much fun making some non-TME related games and folders for a friend of mine, that I think I'll do some more. Does anyone want a lapbook about shapes and ...

Lately, I've been doing a bit of a personal experiment. I start my day with a "daily happiness" post on my personal Facebook feed. I sit down at the beginning of my day and find something that makes me happy in the past 24 hours. It's part of my "me" plan - my current goals in the areas of emotional development, nutrition, professional focus, and musical focus. I have an index card (because I LOVE index cards) taped to the shelves right by my computer that lists my four goals. (By the way, it's color-coded to my current system for identifying therapeutic domains...) This is the goal that I am doing the best on at the moment (the nutrition one isn't really all that fun to pursue), but I am progressing on all of these things. This was my "new school year" resolution list, and I am proud of my accomplishments. Some days I find it easy to come up with something that makes me happy. Some days it is much more difficult to find something to ap...

This has been a strange week for me. Yesterday, over half of the school went on a field trip so my usual pattern was interrupted. I only had two groups - one is one of my most favorite and the other is one of my least favorite. My Creative Arts teammate and I received recognition from the other clinicians for our work on the Super-Secret Special Event that happened last week. I settled my worker's compensation case yesterday - first time I've ever been sworn in - so, that's over. I've had moments of anxiety, joy, and absolute frustration this week. It's really worn my out. But... It is FINALLY FRIDAY! (I apologize for the strength of the text, but I am really happy to have made it to the end of this week and this month!) Today is my plan/preparation day. I have a classroom visit this morning and then the entire school tromps through my room to go shopping in the STARS store, so it is impossible to have therapy sessions while folks are walking in and out. So, I...

There are lots of things to think about on this early morning. There are tragedies happening all over the world, there are decisions being made about how to respond, there are people with illness, disease, and personal difficulty going on in their part of the world. There are joys as well. There are frisky cats running around at 3am. There are people who are working for change in all areas of life. There are babies being born and friends who are celebrating the lives of loved ones. There are lots of things to think about. The quotation on my desk is the following: ...very little is needed to make a happy life. - Marcus Aurelius Wow. That is resonating with me right now. What is actually needed for a happy life? I have studied Maslow's hierarchy of needs. I have read about attachment and bonding. I have pursued learning in the areas of psychology, cognition, and neurology. I have studied the role of spirituality in the lives of myself and my clients. All of this knowledg...

I don't want to talk about much of anything today. It's going to be a different type of day. I am going to the doctor to get yet anot her check on my knee. I am going to work to have a group of stude nts on a field trip ins tead of going to music the rapy (and I am FINE with that after this week). This week has included screaming students, a death threat from a student who was upset about the loud fire alarm, spittle flying all over the room, and a strong fist planted on my arm. Everyone and anyone has been yelling, arguing, and refusing any and all attempts at appropriate interaction. I would love to accommodate all requests to use that bathr oom at the immediate second that they demand to use the bathroom, but we don't have the staff available to provide line of sight supervision to students when they all want to leave at the same time. So, the frustration mounts. A change in rout ine will be good for me. I think it will be good for some of my clients as well. We all ...