Two Years On Substack!!

Thank you for your support...

Hi friends,

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This month celebrates two years on Substack for Music Therapy/Music Musings! First off, thank you for reading and supporting this blog/newsletter. When I sent out my first post, I had 32 subscribers. Now I am approaching 500! I never imagined that many of you would be interested in my writing and reflections on music therapy and the healing power of music. I am so grateful for this community. I am so grateful for you.

Writing about my work as a music therapist, and telling my ‘stories’, started out as a form of self-care. This work can be emotionally challenging, especially working in critical care and oncology, and putting my thoughts and feelings into writing has been my way of getting some of what affects me, and what I hold in, out. A way of letting go. Getting it out of my head. Out of my body. Writing became, and still is, a form of therapy for me. It was those ‘stories’ (and some encouragement from colleagues) that became the basis for this blog/newsletter.

I also write this blog/newsletter to help educate and advocate for music therapy. Even after all this time, I feel as though a significant part of my job is, and always will be, educating and advocating for music therapy as a valid, evidence-based practice in health care. I am lucky. From day one at the hospital (and hospital system) where I work, music therapy was embraced by so many amazing medical professionals who immediately saw the benefits - nurses in particular, my research partner Amanda, and of course my two favorite ICU docs (Dr. M. & Dr. L. – they know who they are.) And also the vision of the then director of physical medicine and rehabilitation who was paramount in getting our music therapy program started. (And with whom I would not be here without.) Thank you, Cathy.

But more than anything, I see telling these stories—stories of the incredible people that I’ve been honored to meet and work with, those who have been through so much, and many who are no longer here—somehow keeps them, and their spirits, alive. I feel that by writing about them, I am honoring them in some way. Especially since so many of them have had a profound impact on me, not only as a music therapist, but also as a person.

I feel honored that I get to meet and work with the incredible people who allow me (and music) into their suffering worlds. This work is intimate and profound. This work is powerful. (For me too.) This newsletter/blog is dedicated to all of those who I’ve worked with who found solace in music therapy as part of their healing process or as a means to help with resolve and transition.

There are two quotes from patients I’ve worked with that stand out to me:

“I really needed this. I really needed something… different. Here in the hospital, it’s just like not being a whole person. The music… I feel it deep inside. It heals my soul. I just realized that nothing is healing my soul when I’m here. And when my soul is healed my body will be ready to heal too.”

“These songs make me happy and sad at the same time. It’s just what I need.”

These quotes sum up music therapy in a hospital setting better than the over 100 posts I’ve written.

A few things for you to consider

Consider becoming a ‘paid’ subscriber: You can support my writing, and the time that goes into researching and writing this weekly newsletter/blog, by becoming a ‘paid’ subscriber. Actually, it’s really more like a ‘donation’ of support as this newsletters/blog is, and will always be, ‘free’ to anyone who wants to subscribe and read it. However, there are options for monthly, yearly and a one-time ‘subscription’. If it’s something that you would consider, I would be grateful.

Please share: Again, my main goal in writing this is to educate and advocate for music therapy. If you enjoy reading, find these stories inspiring and helpful to your own journey through life and music and healing, please share. This is, perhaps, the best thing that you can do for me. Share a post you like on social media. Share my profile with a friend and suggest subscribing. (It’s free!) Tell a colleague to check it out. Word of mouth is, by far, the best way for me to grow this newsletter/blog and continue to promote music therapy and the healing power of music.

Give me feedback: Yes! Really! Please! I love hearing from you. Let me know what you think. What topics or ideas am I missing? What else you would like for me to explore? What doesn’t work? Do you like when I add a playlist? Share a song? What else? I can’t stress enough how much I would love your feedback. Please!

Keep reading and engage: Hitting the ‘heart’ button and commenting on posts helps with algorithms (ugh) and makes it easier for others to find this publication and for it to grow.

A story to warm your heart

“She’s so down about being in the hospital,” the nurse told me about her patient, a woman in her 90s. When I went into the room she seemed to be staring at a book but not really reading. She looked… withdrawn. I quietly said “hello” and asked how she was doing. “Terrible… all these years I’ve never been in the hospital. I had a little fall and…” in mid-sentence she stopped as her eyes opened wide. “Is that a guitar?” “Yes, I’m a music therapist.” And like a beautiful sunrise, her face slowly brightened, and she suddenly looked so youthful. “I love music! I play the piano. I’m working on a Chopin Nocturne. I wish I was home to play.” “Can I play something for you?” I asked. “Please!” I played some classical style guitar and then moved into something with some Spanish flair. She was smiling the entire time. When I finished, she said, almost like a proclamation - “Music is good for the brain, good for the soul, and good for peace on earth.” Then she looked at me with a sly smile, “It’s also good in the bedroom to help… well, you know.” She winked at me. “How do you think I stayed out of the hospital all these years!” (Did I mention that she’s in her 90s?)

A song for you

This song is so poignant for so many whom I’ve worked with. It truly speaks to the power of moving on, sense of self, empowerment, and also speaks to the power of resolve. And finding resolve can be a powerful thing.

“It’s times like these you learn to live again…”

The healing power of music…

Again… thank you for reading! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ray

(*The stories presented in this blog are based on accounts or experiences and are not actual accounts or experiences.)

Raymond Leone, MMT, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist based in Northern Virginia and writes extensively about music and wellness.