If you have seen my posts on social media the last few weeks, you may have found yourself wondering, "What on earth is 'frundraising' and how can I get Emily to shut up about it already?"
It's a pretty simple concept, really, and a pretty brilliant one, if I do say so myself.
I can't take any credit, though. I was just lucky enough to stumble across Andrew Knight and Michelle Kennemer on Twitter.
These brilliant music therapists and runners had the great idea to try to raise money for the American Music Therapy Association using something we already love to do: run!
So, when you take fundraising, and add running, you get frundraising!
That is how I ended up planning to run this awesome 10k (my first!) October, and I am hoping to raise $1,000 for the AMTA while I train for the race.
That's the basic WHAT of frundraising.
The WHY is simply that I believe in music therapy with all my heart.
I have personally seen so many lives touched and changed in amazing ways through the work of dedicated music therapists. I can't put into words how much I believe in the power of music therapy.
Because I believe in music therapy with a passion that's out of this world, I also believe that the national governing body for music therapists deserves our support.
The AMTA is a music therapist's first line of defense for help with advocacy, starting a program, getting access to quality research and publications, finding a job opening, helping the public find a board-certified music therapist, you name it. The AMTA can help.
Supporting our non-profit organization is one of the very best ways to assure that quality music therapy services continue to reach the clients that need those services.
So, without further ado, I offer you the link to my First Giving page: Panther Run 2013.
This page is a secure and easy way to supporting my frundraising efforts. As an added perk, my highest donor gets to determine what I will wear on race day. It can be goofy, embarrassing, uncomfortable, or maybe even with a shirt or banner for a cause you care about. Oh, the possibilities.
I won't beg (at least not yet!) but I would ask you to consider supporting the AMTA through my frunning efforts.
See you at the finish line!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Walk Like a Therapist, Talk Like a Therapist
Today's musing comes to you with an earworm, which happens to be the official term for a song that burrows into your ear and won't get out. Click the link if you dare: Walk Like a Man
As I prepare for my final semester as a music therapy student, I frequently catch myself saying and doing things that a therapist would say and do.
I cringed when I saw an alcohol ad sporting "TGI Tuesday!" because I instantly empathized with the clients I saw in practicum who were in rehab for substance abuse.
I cringe for all the ads and other examples in pop culture proudly displaying a less-than-healthy relationship with alcohol and other substances because I know how hard many of these and other clients will work to overcome their less-than-healthy relationships with their drugs of choice. I find myself wishing the rest of the world could be as sensitive to their struggles as a therapist is.
I found myself carefully assessing the family dog's state-specific anxiety and ended up sleeping on the couch with him to help him get settled while I dog-sat for my parents this summer. Then I caught myself using the iso principle to gradually wean him from needing me right next to him all the time.
Michael Westen of Burn Notice wishes everyone got Green Beret training in high school. I wish everyone had some training in verbal counseling skills and active listening.
I cringe when I hear a well-meaning but unhelpful grief platitude being sent rapid-fire at someone who is recently bereaved, and I have to stop myself from sharing the good news about Person-First Language a little too vigorously so as not to offend.
These behaviors weren't a regular part of my life four years ago.
Undertaking the degree program to become a music therapist has, I hope, made me a more careful observer and a better listener. I think it's made me think more carefully about what I say to others. It has taught me to walk the delicate line between sympathy and empathy. It's definitely taught me that sometimes the best thing I can do for those around me is to go for a run or soak in a bubble bath.
Slowly but surely, I think I am becoming a therapist!
Have you noticed these kinds of changes in yourself as you progressed from green student to professional MT-BC? I would love to hear how you walk the walk and talk the talk!
As I prepare for my final semester as a music therapy student, I frequently catch myself saying and doing things that a therapist would say and do.
I cringed when I saw an alcohol ad sporting "TGI Tuesday!" because I instantly empathized with the clients I saw in practicum who were in rehab for substance abuse.
I cringe for all the ads and other examples in pop culture proudly displaying a less-than-healthy relationship with alcohol and other substances because I know how hard many of these and other clients will work to overcome their less-than-healthy relationships with their drugs of choice. I find myself wishing the rest of the world could be as sensitive to their struggles as a therapist is.
I found myself carefully assessing the family dog's state-specific anxiety and ended up sleeping on the couch with him to help him get settled while I dog-sat for my parents this summer. Then I caught myself using the iso principle to gradually wean him from needing me right next to him all the time.
Michael Westen of Burn Notice wishes everyone got Green Beret training in high school. I wish everyone had some training in verbal counseling skills and active listening.
I cringe when I hear a well-meaning but unhelpful grief platitude being sent rapid-fire at someone who is recently bereaved, and I have to stop myself from sharing the good news about Person-First Language a little too vigorously so as not to offend.
These behaviors weren't a regular part of my life four years ago.
Undertaking the degree program to become a music therapist has, I hope, made me a more careful observer and a better listener. I think it's made me think more carefully about what I say to others. It has taught me to walk the delicate line between sympathy and empathy. It's definitely taught me that sometimes the best thing I can do for those around me is to go for a run or soak in a bubble bath.
Slowly but surely, I think I am becoming a therapist!
Have you noticed these kinds of changes in yourself as you progressed from green student to professional MT-BC? I would love to hear how you walk the walk and talk the talk!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)