Lay It Down

Lay It Down

-jdaisi grooms
"I feel so tired.
I feel so alone.
So many burdens
and mistakes I've made ...
Tired of carrying them
all my days.


I want to lay them down...
I've got to lay them down...
I'm going to lay them down...
Right now."

Are there things you have been carrying? Things that aren't healthy for you? Things you need to let go of ... things you need to let go of you?

Don't believe those thoughts that you deserve your burdon ... that you earned it.  Don't believe that it's there to stay, that you can't shake it. 

It's time. 

Lay it down. 

Take a moment soon to go to a private peaceful place where you can be alone and focus ... free of distractions.  Put on some instrumental music, and close your eyes and try to focus on making these words count ... then say the above poem/lyrics out loud.  Mean every word.  You may want to take it a step further, and write down those burdens that you are releasing, and then physically 'get rid of them' by throwing the paper in the trash (ripping it first, if you'd like to ... to feel, maybe, that it's truly finished). 

Take a some time afterwards to breath deeply, and picture yourself without those burdens anymore.  Go back to life and reality in that new state.

Jessica

Quake survivor played music in his mind

Quake survivor played music in his mind

"In the darkness that followed, Haitian-born violinist Romel Joseph thought the earthquake that shook his Port-au-Prince music school to pieces was a dream.

Born partially blind, his recollections relied on his stronger senses."

Find the rest of this wonderful article at Cincinatti.com.  A bitter sweet article, but another instance on the power of music and it's ability to reach anyone, anywhere.

Jessica

New Mt. Pleasant restaurant BISTRO 536 offers some gluten free options!

BISTRO 536    Both of my sweet sisters are now working at a new restaurant that just opened in Mt. Pleasant, Bistro 536 (across from Belle Hall Shopping Center - next to Subway - where the Nirlep and Seal's Fish Camp used to be).  This restaurant is owned and run by a former chef from 5 Loaves (downtown).

"Alastair Nairn is offering Mount Pleasant a new casual, upscale dining experience. As owner and head chef, Alastair wanted to give customers eclectic food at fair prices. With inventive food pairings, Bistro 536 is sure to surprise the senses."  http://bistro536.com/


I have had the opportunity to dine there a few times, and as most of you know, I am allergic to gluten.  This significantly limits not only my food options, but my 'eating out' options.  The chefs and staff at Bistro 536 are able to provide me with gluten free options, and (even more) I trust their knowledge about not only what contains gluten, but proper food prep as well.

I just wanted to share this info with all my fellow gluten intolerants ... it's nice to know our options.  "YEAH!!! ANOTHER RESTAURANT WE CAN EAT AT!"

Please spread the word! I want this restaurant to do well for several reasons ...

1)  This is not a chain, but owned and run by locals
2)  The owners and staff support the "buy local" mindset, and include this within certain menu items
3)  I really want to keep one of the few places that provides safe eating for those with gluten sensitivities
4)  The food is high quality and amazing!

Visit the BISTRO 536 website (see above) or find them on FB! Actually, just go in. 

Jessica

Dear John Premiere!

Hello everyone! This is so exciting! See below!

Dear John Charleston Premiere


A benefit event for Carolina Autism

Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010

Time: 5:30pm - 11:00pm

Location: Screening: Terrace Hippodrome, Official After Party: SC Aquarium

Street: 360 Concord St/100 Aquarium Wharf

City/Town: Charleston, SC

COCKTAIL ATTIRE
A Night of Spotlights and Stars to raise funds for autism treatment
The stars will be out at the Charleston premiere of Dear John, the new movie Directed by Lasse Hallström and based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks. Now 400 fans will have a chance to see the stars and the new movie! The waterfront Hippodrome Theater is the setting for the premiere followed by a Hollywood style after-party next door at the beautiful South Carolina Aquarium. Plan to attend or just come on down to join the paparazzi and wave to the stars as the limos pull up to the red carpet.
DEAR JOHN tells story of John Tyree (Channing Tatum), a young soldier home on leave, and Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), the idealistic college student he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by John’s increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a continuous stream of love letters overseas--correspondence that eventually triggers fateful consequences.
The movie premiere is a fund raising benefit for Carolina Autism (http://www.carolinaautism.org/), a local charity that serves children and adults with autism. Proceeds from the event will go toward their intensive early intervention program, helping young children with autism and their families. Carolina Autism staff helped with the production of the movie and will be featured on the DVD of the film when it is released.
Tickets are $250 (portion tax deductible) and are available at http://www.DearJohnCharlestonPremiere.com

_____________________________________________________
Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks

Cast: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Henry Thomas, Scott Porter, Richard Jenkins and introducing Braeden Reed, a child actor from Charleston with autism, served by Carolina Autism


FOR TICKETS GO TO http://www.dearjohncharlestonpremiere.com/

Please arrive by 6pm for seating. Adult beverages served with proof of age.
Twitter contest rules: http://www.dearjohncharlestonpremiere.com/twitter.html
 
 
Jessica

Haiti

I wanted to express my love, thoughts, support, and grief for Haiti, but it's hard to put anything into words when it's all so unbelievable.

It's so hard to imagine so many people gone. It's hard to fatham so many of the remaining people roaming the streets with terrible injuries with no medical treatment available. And the sights they have to see ...

Its unimaginable the thought of a mommy or daddy holding their injured child knowing that they cannot do anything to 'make it better'. And then the people who are trapped. I watched a video of someone being rescued, and I couldn't help but think of the shock she was still in for once she saw what her land and people are facing ... to go through being trapped and terrified and alone to the realities of what is going on on the outside. I just can't fathom.

I'm so sorry for you all, Haiti. Nothing I am doing here at the moment seems even a fraction as important as what you are going through, and I sincerely wish I could come there right now to do whatever ... whatever would help.

Like so many around the world, you are on my mind and heart, and I am sending up prayers for you all.

Jessica

Autism Broadcast (upcoming)

I received an email about an upcoming broadcast on Autism.  Check out the below message for details. 

++++++++++++++++
Dear Friends and Colleagues: Please see this forwarded message.



A broadcast about the Autism Collaborative Center at Eastern Michigan University, including music therapy, is planned for Tuesday February 2. Locally, it will show at 5:30 pm on Channel 56 WTVS Detroit.

The show is entitled "A Wider World" and focuses on opportunities for persons with disabilities.

We were told that the show will air across Michigan, other midwest states, Canada, the Carolinas and some southern states and California and some western states. The show will air again in April during autism awareness month.
+++++++++++++++++

I plan on contacting EMU to find out what channel/time to look for it in other parts of the US (especially since it mentions that it will be showing in the Carolinas).  Anyhow, for those of you in Michigan, this is all you need.  For the rest of you, I will let you know what I find out.

Have a great day!
Jessica

Crayola dot com

As you know, many of the products you buy (kid oriented) will often have websites you can visit containing info, online games, and activities.  I will often go ahead and check out the websites of the products I buy for my practice.  This is always a nice addition to activities within session in which I use these products.  For example, I mentioned on a previous blog a website which has videos of various well-known ('famous') people reading children's stories aloud.  I have sometimes incorporated this into session.

I have really enjoyed a lot of the activities that I find on http://www.crayola.com/ .  I also receive email updates on holiday based additions to the site.  It's nice because they never go overboard with the email updates! I receive them only every now and then. 

Anyhow, check it out! You may find some great activities that would assist your child/client in working on goal related areas (or simply fun free time activities).

Jessica

Find me on LinkedIn

You can find me on LinkedIn! If you have a professional profile on LinkedIn, search me next time you are on, and we'll get connected.
LinkedIn is such a great way to stay connected within your work field and/or related fields. Its also a great tool for increasing your awareness and knowledge in areas of interest through connections to certain groups.

Some of my groups are:

• American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
• Autism Speaks
• Children's grief support
• National Down Syndrome Society

When connected to these groups, you are able to follow discussions related to these.

If you are familiar with LinkedIn, you know that you are also able to connect with the professional profiles of your family and friends as well.

See you on LinkedIn!

Jessica

Down Syndrome spotlight, Colin Gets a Chance

I received a message through LinkedIn regarding a new resource.  I have not yet been able to view this myself, but am anxious to.  The book, Colin Gets a Chance, was written by Brian Beale in honor of his son, Colin, who has Down Syndrome.

Below is a portion of the description of this book.

"It’s a book about a little boy who never gets a chance to play the game he loves (baseball) until the last game of the season when his team steps up to the coach and asks him to let Colin bat as they want to cheer for him as he’s done for them all season long.
This is a truly inspirational book as the book cover and all illustrations were done by individuals with Down syndrome. It just does not get any better than that!!! “Colin Gets a Chance” is a children’s book about acceptance and inclusion of others who appear different on the surface, but are so much more alike than different once given a chance."
-Brian Beale, PHR, Author
Visit http://www.colingetsachance.com to learn more about this book as well as to view a sampling of the illustrations.  You are also able to view a video, and meet 'the real Colin'.

I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

Jessica

New Year

Happy New Year! I hope this new year is treating you all well so far.  For all of you who had a tough year in 2009, look forward to this year full of new opportunities, hope, and healing. 

We are all 'cleaning out our closets', so to speak, this time of the year, and coming down from chaos.  We are packing up our decorations, and doing a little spring cleaning January style.  We are looking to new things and renewing commitments to others (which, in itself, brings newness).  I wish you well as you embark on your goals, resolutions, and journeys for your new year.  I am working on that, myself.  I am telling myself these things, and working on keeping my head up.  Just thought I would share a few of my own thoughts with you. 

This blog slowed down a bit during the holidays, but it's gearing up for a new year, hoping to inspire, inform, and connect you.  Thank you for your thoughts and ideas along the way in 2009. 

Jessica