BeadLinks.com
Bead Links on The Net Find Bead Links for Bead Stores Around the World
 | |
| |
 |
BeadLinks.com Home | Directory of Craft & Hobby Articles | Browse Craft & Hobby Articles from the Top | The Down The Street Bead Show Articles on Artistic Creativity |
|
|
|
Mindfulness and Music: Things That Go Hmmm
Shhh... can you hear it? One of the most powerful forms of mindfulness is awareness of sound. We tend to tune out the noise of our lives in order to concentrate on the tasks at hand. In fact, we may get so used to a particular sound that we don't notice it until it's gone-like a television that is turned off, or traffic that stops outside your home, or your neighbor's lawn mower or stereo that is suddenly silent. We notice when it starts, we intentionally shut it out, and then notice it once again when it stops. Everyone who hears has a healthy serving of what is called musical intelligence. It isn't limited to actual music, however-it is our recognition and understanding of the pitch, tone, quality, length, volume and source of the sounds around us. Now, some of us might have perfect pitch, knowing instantly that the note we hear is a middle C. Others might have a very well-developed sense of tone quality-noting the difference between a middle C played on a piano or a flute, or even the same note sung by two different people. And some of us might consider ourselves completely hopeless as musicians while having an encyclopedic memory for song lyrics, guitar riffs, or even the songs of birds. The great news is that, no matter where we stand on the music smarts scale, we each have the capacity to increase our musical intelligence. Better yet, by focusing on selected sounds as triggers for mindfulness, we can sharpen our awareness and increase our enjoyment of the world around us at the same time. Here's a little mindfulness game to help you zero in on sound as a trigger for greater awareness: Notice "Hmmm." You might hear someone say "Hmmm" when they are trying to remember something or trying to make a decision. They might use it to show skepticism or wonder, inspiration or frustration. It might be low and long, or high and short. It could be very soft or quite loud. Is it ascending or descending? Is it aspirated? Is it musical? Using "Hmmm" as a mindfulness cue allows you to: 1) Notice a selected trigger 2) Take a moment to note the intention, emotion, and sound quality of that particular "Hmmm" 3) Notice that you noticed You are catching yourself in the act of being mindful while you are right smack in the middle of the Real World. This is the essence of playing with mindfulness! By paying attention to this soft exclamation, you can heighten your awareness of sound while also picking up on the subtleties of emotion and expression. It's a great way to use your ears to learn more about interpersonal communication. You will be amazed at what you can learn about others-and their state of mind-by becoming more aware of the way they use this sound. Start noticing "Hmmm" in conversations around you as well as your own. Then, branch out and notice "Hmmm" in movies, television shows, or theater presentations. Finally, tap into your musical intelligence even further by recognizing the sounds that resemble "Hmmm" in machinery or nature. Does the copier sound like "Hmmm"? Does your printer make that sound? How about your dog when you scratch its ears, or your partner sleeping beside you? Start hearing "Hmmm" all around you. It's a fun way to create a few "Hmmm" moments of your own! Maya Talisman Frost is the Mind Masseuse. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches fun and effective eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com
MORE RESOURCES:
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Magic In Your Spice Rack Variety is the spice of life, but spices, historically are the stuff of magic! A spell, after all is really just a recipe and traditionally many of them involve plant life or herbs. Magic doesn't have to be complicated to work. How To Master Your Game Learn how to master your area of endeavor the right way. Start out by finding the people and books that will make you exceptional. 10 Ways to Thrive as a Creative Artist 1. Connect with your DREAM - Indulge yourself in a vision of the bigger picture and get out of the mire of self-doubt, details and challenges of today. Creativity and Broken Eggs In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered the enormous prize of 200 gold florins to the architect whose genius could span the unfinished dome of the Florence Cathedral. 3 Clever Creative Strategies! I've got a confession to make.. Creativity And You 95 percent of what we know about the brain, we have learned in the last 20 years. So, your beliefs about creativity were probably shaped by faulty information. Characteristics: Creative Types VS Clods! Here are some odds & ends I have observed in creative-expert-genius types:Direction of Motivation: creatives move toward what they want in all areas of their life while the clods move away from what they don't want.Time Orientation: creatives look forward to completion. Creativity Stereotypes - Are They Holding You Back? Here's a quick quiz:1) When I see a see a sunrise, I'm moved to:A. Compose a poem. Becoming Radiant: Boost Your Teams Creativity with Mind Mapping I don't take notes anymore. Instead, I create one wildly colorful, creative and inspiring page whenever I need to make a decision, prepare a presentation, or plan an event. 3 Simple Steps To Solving Problems You can move beyond your stuck states by contemplating all the possible consequences of your own particular situation.What is it that you want to work in your life?What inner obstacles prevent you from achieving the successful outcome you desire?Once you have confronted your own fears, pulled the emotional skeleton's out of your mental closet, then you will be ready to take stock of your current situation, look at it objectively, and try out new strategies. Be Creative: 10 Easy Steps To Increase Your Confidence, Creativity and Cash In The Attention Economy How can you be more creative? How can you turn creative ideas into cash. Want to be better at creative thinking?In Australia at the moment we are celebrating the Australian Innovation Festival. A New Discovery Of An Old Secret Some years ago, when the world seemed to close in on me and I felt asthough I was trapped between the sword and the wall, I made an excitingdiscovery. Actually, it was a phenomenon that was as old as dirt but ittook on significant meanings for me because it freed me from all myproblems and all the stresses and pressures that were being imposed uponme. Five Steps to Higher Creativity: Engaging the Human Spirit Unleash Your Creativity! Creativity has often been the misunderstood child of the genius family. This misunderstanding has brought along with it a tainted picture of what creativity is, what function it serves, and where it comes from. Creativity Management - Intellectual Cross Pollination Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas. Sing & Be Well When people find out that I'm a music therapist, the comments I hear most often are "I wish I could sing!" or "Oh, I love to sing, but I'm not good enough to do it in front of anyone". Some of these people tell me that, as children, a parent, teacher or someone else told them that they should just mouth the words because they didn't have a good enough voice. Are You A Creative Meathead? Remember Archie Bunker's description of what a Meatheadwas on All in the Family?Dead, from the neck up!When it comes to creaivity, innnovation, coming up with ideas that magically turn into money - are you alive?Ever wonder how some of the big names in business are able tocontinually come up with new, innovative product ideas, marketing programs and publicity projects?New ideas are the lifeblood of leaping to the top of your field.Without diving into the bowels of scientific theory, itis absolutely true that to fuel creativity, your brain needsnew input. How To Increase Creativity... Set Deadlines! Deadlines are something all of us face from time to time. We face deadlines whenever we set even a small goal and commit to accomplish it. Creative Thinking The Secret Key To Lasting Success What is creativity anyway? Well, let us look at the word. Creativity means the capability to build, create something. Creative Thinking versus Critical Thinking The process of creative thinking is often, mistakenly, intertwined with critical thinking. There is a tendency to write and edit simultaneously, couple hypothesis generation and evaluation, combine problem identification with solution. Mindfulness and Independence: Observing Fireworks "It's a free country," they say. "Celebrate our independence," I hear.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |