<\/p>\n
I find this time of year interesting. And, like many I\u2019m sure, I go through the drill of “resolutions” \u2014 eat better, work out more, drink less, write more, blah\u2026 blah\u2026. blah\u2026<\/p>\n
And every year when we get here, like many, I think, \u201cWell, I\u2019m glad that<\/em> year is over. The world, the political climate, the economy, the environment<\/a>, blah\u2026 blah\u2026 blah\u2026”<\/p>\n I also had some personal challenges in 2025. Like everyone, I\u2019m sure.<\/p>\n Doesn\u2019t this happen every year? The Buddhists and the Stoics say that this is the norm, and it\u2019s more about how you accept and navigate through it all, blah\u2026 blah\u2026 blah\u2026<\/p>\n Sometimes I think, Okay, a new year, same old problems. What\u2019s the point of it all?<\/em><\/p>\n However, I also realize that I have a lot to be grateful<\/a> for.<\/p>\n As a music therapist working in a hospital setting, I see on a daily basis that there are many who are suffering way more than me.<\/p>\n And, I\u2019m grateful for my work \u2014 for being able to bring music, something beautiful, into the worlds of those who are truly suffering and provide some reprieve that helps in a small way. That brings some comfort, and maybe even some joy during a joyless time. I\u2019m grateful that I get to connect with them through the healing power of music.<\/p>\n So, for this new year, I\u2019m not going to make any resolutions. And I\u2019m not going to dwell on the hardships of my life in 2025 and feel sorry for myself. Like the Buddhists and the Stoics, I\u2019m letting go of the past. It\u2019s a new dawn. It\u2019s a new day. It’s a new year and a new beginning. And, it’s a time for a renewed sense of hope.<\/p>\n She\u2019s in her 30s and has been in the hospital for over a week dealing with various medical needs, many of which are a direct result of substance abuse<\/a> issues. Her nurse told me that she is medically cleared to leave the hospital, but has a lot of anxiety<\/a> around going home. I was asked to visit.<\/em><\/p>\n When I walked into her room, she looked tired, a little anxious, and there was a “hardness” to her face. She was also somewhat guarded. I said \u201chello\u201d and asked her how she was doing today. Cautiously, she said, \u201cI\u2019m doing okay\u2026 better I guess.\u201d I asked her if I could sit for a minute and, again with caution, she said, \u201cSure.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I just started talking with her. I asked her how she was passing the time while here and where she was from. When she realized that we were just “talking” she seemed to ease up a bit. \u201cThe TV gets old\u2026 I try to read. Not much to really do. I grew up in Colorado but I\u2019m fairly new here.\u201d I asked her what she likes to do. \u201cI like museums. I like weird art.\u201d (She giggled.) She kept looking at the guitar, so I finally said, \u201cOh, yeah. So\u2026 I\u2019m a music therapist.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I asked her if she ever played an instrument and she told me that she tried the guitar once but wants to learn. I asked her if I could get mine out and play something. She smiled sheepishly and said, \u201csure.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I said, \u201cOkay, how about I play some music, and you just breathe. That\u2019s all. Use this time to take a little break from everything. No pressure. Just for a few minutes. A little break. Just listen and breathe.\u201d She said, \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n So\u2026 I played.<\/em><\/p>\n After a few moments she closed her eyes and seemed to be taking the music in. As the music started progressing, her face slowly softened, and her breathing gradually slowed and deepened. In support, I slowed the tempo of the music and moved some of the light, purposeful tension I initiated with towards more resolve and harmonic themes.<\/em><\/p>\n Now her face looked peaceful. Almost\u2026 angelic.<\/em><\/p>\n After about 15 minutes I brought the music to a close. She slowly opened her eyes and gave a smile. \u201cHow was that?\u201d I asked. \u201cThat was awesome. I felt\u2026 light. Like floating in the sky. High\u2026 but in a good way.\u201d We spoke about finding \u201clittle breaks\u201d when we need it. Re-setting. And her smile\u2026 angelic. I asked if I could play a song for her. \u201cA song about looking forward. About new beginnings.\u201d \u201cYes!\u201d she said, as her eyes opened wide.<\/em><\/p>\n I went into an easy version of Times Like These (Foo Fighters).<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s times like these you learn to live again.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s times like these you give and give again.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s times like these you learn to love again.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Times like these, time and time again.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n She held my eye contact and also watched my guitar playing. She was sitting up in the bed with her legs criss-crossed and swaying. Now she looked\u2026 youthful. (Angelic?) Her eyes were wide the entire time. When I finished, she gave a big smile. I asked her, \u201cWhat do you think that song is about?\u201d After a brief pause, she smiled. And through a few tears she said\u2026 \u201cHope.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nA Story of Hope (and Music)<\/h2>\n