music, therapy, and me

My word for this year (2019) is courage. I am trying my best to do things that make my insides flop over, and I took another step yesterday. I submitted a presentation proposal for a conference in October that I have never attended or thought about before now. I had to go with a less technical topic than I usually present, but we'll see if it is accepted. If it is, then I have another entire conference to attend - in Southern California - in October, conveniently during my long weekend. I'm not sure why this particular task qualified as a courage task, but it really did. The thought of speaking to therapists from other types of therapy is a bit daunting to me, but I feel confident in my topic (music's role in self-care), and I think that the topic will be well received. I'll see here in a bit, though. Did you know that every time I post something on social media about my Teachers Pay Teachers store or the CMTE courses that I offer or the webinars that I love to ...

One of the modules I offer for free to interns is one on Crucial Conversations. It was suggested by an anonymous intern quite a while ago as something that would be valuable to other interns - basically, how to talk to someone when you are in a conflict of some sort. We talk about conflict resolution, active listening, and attempting to remain rational rather than emotional. I am going to have a crucial conversation today (I hope). Scheduling for next year has turned into a hot mess. We are adding another classroom, so things will have to change, but everyone is having hissy fits about changing ANYTHING! I am going to engage in my own hissy fit today because I am tired of being the only one who has to change to accommodate the demands of other people. I am not a person who enjoys confrontation. I tend to go straight into my defensive mode of crying when I have to talk about things that affect my emotions. Anger is expressed through crying. Frustration is expressed through crying....

There truly is no place like home. Sound corny? It is, but I don't get to go to the place that I consider "home" that often, so when I am here, I really try to savor every moment. This is one of those moments that I want to savor. I am sitting on the couch, watching Monuments Men with my father sitting about six feet away from me. (I really love wireless wi-fi!). Dad often chooses to channel surf incessantly, but this movie has captured his attention, so I am actually able to watch the movie from where we started it (somewhere in the middle) and will probably end up watching it until the end. There are Spritz cookies on the table, Mom is upstairs using Pinterest, and we're all going to my sister's house and then out for dinner later this evening. I may live in one state, but my home is not where I live. It's where my heart lives. It is easy to abide in a place that is geographically far away when I know that home is there waiting for me - wherever I am. I...