The Freedom of New Beginnings!!

New Beginnings happen every day but today, the last day of September and my fourth day of "freedom" (thanks to those who have shared their views of this concept), is a particularly special one!  There are about a dozen unique individuals coming to my FIRST HealthRHYTHMS drum circle.  OK, Julie was here, but this is my first one as a facilitator.  In anticipation, I have set up the venue with both my percussion instruments and my drum collection as well.  To be really vivid and to offer you a virtual tour, I created the 'perfect' collage for your viewing pleasure!  It's more than about the drums; it is about unity and diversity; individuality and the group reaching entrainment - drumming to get in synch with one another.  It is about self discovery and tuning in to your inner rhythm.  It is about LIFE and the FUN of it all.  It is NOT about perfection, but about being human and imperfect and knowing that it is sure ok to make mistakes.  In a few hours, they will be here and we will make music together!  DARE to AFFIRM: Rhythms and Relationships!!

Families Flow in and out of Each Other's Lives Forever!!

   It was the final meeting of the Zero to Three State- Based Infant Toddler Project (Early Head Start National Resource Center) for a phenomenal group of individuals who had been working together for over a year and a half.  Through a series of events, the time had come to end this piece of the working relationship.  At the final team meeting, we spoke of our personal and professional growth and how the connections that had been fostered among us as well as with Zero to Three would extend for a lifetime.  We had connected as family - and as such, we were bonded!!  The flowers at the doorstep, bright with the light of caring, was one extra special 'thanks'.  For posterity, this memory is recorded forever!  Thanks to everyone for everything.  No more words needs to be spoken!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Hear the Heart of the World Beat as One!! HealthRHYTHMS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=257fH2__GnM

Meet the Thunder Drum and then click on the You Tube link to see a very special group of individuals that I spent days with at the Remo HealthRHYTHMS training last weekend in Princeton, NJ.  We were there to learn and grow, love and network. Saturday night, to remember 9/11, we created a very special drum circle and a song that could well be our theme as we remember!~!  The drum is called a Thunder stick.  The sounds that it sends forth will send a deep resonating rumble deep within your soul.  See what you can discover about it on YouTube or maybe I will play it and share the sounds!!!  Here is to all of my wonderful new friends!  May we stay connected through our music, drumming and caring for one another and the world!!
Another link to the closing ceremony - same song, different faces!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkoMnuYkLpQ  

Bread - the Staff of Life! More Synchronicities!!

Image via WikipediaMy sister Lisa and I love to call one another and share synchronicity stories.  Today was no exception.  It is Yom Kippur - a day for repentance, giving and compassion.  Yesterday, Lisa stopped by a bread shop looking for challah for the sunset meal before they began fasting.  The shop closed at 4 but the door was still open.  She saw just the baguette she wanted and asked if she could buy it.  The guy said no but she could have it.  Then she saw the perfect challah and asked about that. The guy told her to take that one as well. (It was round with raisins but this is the picture that I found in the media gallery).  Lisa was wondering about buying the challah - did they really need the bread?!?  A few blocks into her ride home, she saw a homeless woman and her kids and...you guessed it.  She stopped and gave the woman the bread - the staff of life - for her and her children!!  What a wonderful story of giving and sharing and compassion.  Yeah sister!!

Perfect Together!!

Imagine these conversations:  my friend Bernadette has no wheels, found a man's bike and is looking for one more her size.  Our son Jon is coming home from Japan in just FOUR short days and we've been talking about his fixing up the bike in the basement so he can continue his long distance riding.  Then allow your imagination to be riding in the car with me on the way home from work in Delaware on Friday. As we are heading down the homestretch, I glance to the left and see the perfect bike for Bernadette.  So I go and pick her up from the Bus Stop Music Cafe in Pitman and go check out the bike.  She's had some health news that has given her a bit of a setback, so no bike, but HEY WHY SHOULDN'T I BUY IT FOR ME??  The price was right and the fit is perfect.  Then I stood there thinking some more.  Thank goodness for cell phones.  "Bill come down the street and check this out!!"  Yes, we agree, it would be perfect for Jon and the price is equal to or less than his fixing up the other one.  SOLD!  SOLD!!  We scurried to the ATM to get him the $$ and then believe this.  He works at Rowan and was leaving for work in a few minutes, so he could put them in his truck and drop them off at our house.  WIN! WIN!!  Jon has the yellow bike; I have the red bike and we will have a wonderful 16 days visit beginning in a few short days!!  See I always tell you to keep your eyes open and watch for the synchronicities!!

This Guy is Too Precious!!

Although there were an outstanding group of new friends at the HealthRHYTHMS training this past weekend, we were also honored to be 'gifted' with a little tambourine with a picture of Mick - Rhyth Mick!!  Get it?!?  Since I love 'cute' and colorful, he was an instant favorite of mine.  How to share him?  I took a picture of the tambourine and have this to share.  He represents the FACILITATOR'S WARDROBE.  Here is what we know:

  Tool belt- presents Arthurain tools and techniques  to build the circle

  Conductor's baton - conduct the group through body language and clear directions

  A Flashlight - guiding the group with your drum, bell and spirit

  A Big Heart - pounding the caring rhythm

  BIG Ears - Listeninig intently to their song

  A Coat of Many Colors - our unique gifts for delighting the circle

  Spontaneous Steps - showing muselike inspiration!!

  ANYTHING WE GIVE OUT AS A FACILITATOR WILL COME BACK TO US MANY TIMES OVER!!

Each of us is a musical spirit!!

 

It's Only Just Begun!!

About a month ago, I wrote about my friend Julie and the gift she was giving me with the HealthRHYTHMS drum circle.  Then I shared that we would be attending facilitator training in Princeton.  Well as you can see from this picture, WE DID IT!  For me, it was a beginning.  For Julie it was coming back to guide those of us who were learning.  We realized that we are all always learning!  Now I think about moving forward with this process.  I have come to realize that the drum is the vehicle but the circle is so much more!  It is about stress relief, empowerment, communication, and just having FUN!   Mimi wrote that she is doing her first circle tomorrow with her patients and staff at the mental institution where she works.  Others are about to do their first circle as well.  We are challenged by Remo to do our first training within 30 days!  Tonight it is all keeping me awake.  How will I do it?  Where will I do it?  Coming are endings and new beginnings.  I know that my place in the world is here at home with Bill.  I know I have been looking forward to being FREE once my work is done.  Tonight I lay in bed and wondered what that freedom looks and feels like?  Hmmmmmm  If Bill weren't sleeping so soundly in the other room, maybe, just maybe I would drum to see what it feels like.  Tomorrow is another day!!

Sunrise...Sunset...Swiftly Flow the Years!!

The same night at the beach in Lewes, DE, sitting on a bench and watching...people, the gifts of beauty, and the ultimate relationship - a person and her dog!!  It was the night before my final training sessions with the Head Start State based training team.  I was reflecting on the past 20+ months, the changes I recognized in myself as a result of my work with Zero to Three and some phenomenal individuals on my Infant/Toddler Specialist team.  Often when I sit quietly, words from songs come to mind.  I forgot about these until I woke this morning (5 AM) and the refrain from a Fiddler on the Roof song was playing again!  It is a New Year.  It is Fall.  There are so many changes in the air and within me!!  Here are the words:

Sunrise...Sunset...

Swiftly flow the years

One season following another

Laden with Happiness ...and tears!

As I think back, yes, there were tears and frustrations (one person told me I was the most negative person she had ever met!!) but when I really reflect in an honest way, I am filled with the gratitude of opportunities.  Why would I ever think of anything differently.  As the song says, the years fly by swiftly and TODAY is the gift of the precious present...and truth and honest...it is all we have.

Later today, I leave for Remo's Health Rhythms facilitator training (3 days).  I just have a feeling in my heart that this opportunity is a gift I am offering myself and in some ways, it will be life changing.

And a resounding YES...I will be buying more drums

Good Bye....Shalom...See you Again Soon!!

The other night, I was sitting on the beach by the Delaware Bay in Lewes, DE simply watching the sunset and the people there to share it with me.  Two moms and their little guys had been to a playdate and were walking towards the car at the end of the evening.   All of a sudden, this is what I saw!  If I had been feeling peaceful prior to that with the beauty of God's gift of the sunset, this brought total joy and possibilities to my heart!  Another gift!!!   This interaction was definitely one of those "Teachable Moments" I am often referring to but in this case, no one had to tell them to 'be nice to your friend' or give your buddy a hug good-bye.  It just happened and I was blessed to be there to see it as you are blessed that I am sharing this beautiful spontaneous moment with you.  Sitting in synagogue a few days later for Rosh Hoshanah services, the rabbi asked what we might wish for in the coming year (5771) on many levels.  These two guys are a vision of my wish for everyone to be kind to one another and for there to be more peace and understanding in the world!  Happy New Year!!!

Spirit Boosters Around Pitman!!

We were on the way to the doctor's to get the results of my lung biopsy and related tests.  Needless to say, there was some anxiety surrounding us.  It's about not knowing and uncertainty.  Then we turned the corner onto Holly Avenue and all of the tension was gone as we broke out into laughter when we saw this incredible pink gorilla sitting on the picnic table at Joe Pop's - a local eatery.  Didn't matter what time the appointment was.  I needed to stop and have a photo op! What better way to remember the day and the wonderfully positive news we recieved than to have this picture of ???  I stoped inside to get the scoop and there was a baby in his car seat, waiting for his pizza.  His name was Freddie, so I decided that I would always remember the joyful goofy pink gorilla as Freddie!  Next day, someone had dressed Freddie in a stunning black lace bra (well, the pecs were rather large!) and alas, yesterday, it was gone.  The gratitude in the situation - outright laughter in a tense situation and memories of "benign" as the results.  The sun was shining and the day was perfect!!

Changes are Clearly Coming...

I can feel it in the air, see it in the trees and the garden flowers, hear the sounds of the insects and watch the squirrel's activity.  Yes, the acorns are all over the deck as well!!  Fall is coming.  For me, it is the most powerful time of year.  It is the Jewish New Year (and I remember my times with my Dad), Jon is coming for a long visit (it's been a year since we saw him), my work is changing and I am paying closer attention to health and the foods that nurture my body, mind and spirit.  As I looked at this picture, I saw so many things to share.  First I saw the light on the leaves and then their spectacular color.  My eyes drew me through to a hazy view of what is to come!!  The vew in the distance isn't clear but then I realize that It's all about change and uncertainty. It will become clear as the days move forward. I used to think I was adaptable and flexible; maybe sometimes I am.  Sometimes that is not the truth at all and I WANT TO KNOW!  At times like that I turn to my friends, my flower essences and today made myself a drink filled with patience and acceptance - for myself and for others.  As we evolve, we often encounter challenges.  For me, the patience and acceptance are lessons.  And I realize that I am not perfect, so the patience and acceptance has to come from within as much as it is spread to others.  In fact, I would think it has to be there first for myself and then it can easily be shared with others!!  I talk about synchronicity and I am open to what is to come!!