Recently selected by FeedSpot as one of 15 top Music Therapy Podcasts available. I create pieces of music and combine them with my words to bring listeners a greater sense of well being. Each episode addresses an emotional need or challenge. I like to think of them as 'micro-therapy' as they are all around 10 minutes or so, yet the vibrations of the music work efficiently to move the body and mind into a grounded place. I've been on my own journey of healing throughout my adult life, and I've discovered that composing these are healing and guiding for me personally. I like offering them out to anyone who could respond to their benefits. Every episode is different and may evoke a different emotional response. Seek out the ones that work for you when you need them. Guided Harmonies is the combination of original words put to therapeutic music, all written and created by me: Margaret Dahlberg. I also offer personal music, created for clients specific emotional needs: guidedharmonies.com
Focus: Self-acceptance, letting go. This episode is about seeking acceptance and understanding for all that is and finding the presence to move forward, one step at a time. It comes from a place of needing to let go of the things we may attach to our identity and tend to hang onto so tightly. Take a short time to treat yourself to some relaxation today.
SPEAKER_01
Welcome to Guided Harmonies, the podcast where I put words to my therapeutic music. My name is Margaret Dahlberg, and I've created these episodes to provide short moments of reconnect. I don't know about you, but I don't always have an hour to meditate, nor do I always have the patience, to be honest. So my music is key to allowing such depth in a short time. And all you need to do is listen with a gentle curiosity. If you doze off, it's really not a big deal because the music and your brain are doing the real work. Your unconscious brain responds to these vibrations, and when you come back to presence, you'll feel better. Today's episode is about getting to know yourself even better. I find I don't always know what is best for me and my interests. Sometimes I offer to do things, and then I find myself asking, why did I offer this? It's a lot of effort on my behalf. So how do we know when serving others fills our cup and when serving others drains us? I find it hard to discern. So I picked two songs. The first one I used before, but it was during COVID, so I wanted to represent it at a time where it can hold up no matter what is happening in current events. It's called Soaring, and it's about getting up high above everything so you can look down and just feel a better sense of understanding and acceptance for what's happening in your life, your friends' lives, or the rest of the world. The second song, Onward, was written for my own mother, who appeared as a guest on my Miss Tweety's Parents podcast. The song is meant to represent her tireless ability to keep going without ruminating and getting stuck in her own thoughts like I tend to. Onward refers to the word she often would use in a text to send support and encouragement. Let's get started. Sit back or lie down if you are able and close your eyes. Let these harmonies guide you to a better place. Do not make any effort with your breaths. Just let those inhales and exhales come and go as they need. Remember, your unconscious brain will respond to the music and give you exactly what you need right now. Be curious, are you poised to follow these words with maybe a small amount of tension? Or can you relax and allow these words to come to you? These words are here for guidance only if you need it. From there, your unconscious brain will interpret the music as it is meant to. Just breathe and notice. Where does your body feel the heaviest as it rests? How much weight is there in your pelvis or legs? How about your shoulder blades and torso? What about your skull? Just how heavy do you feel? As you notice the weight, imagine that this music will lighten the load of your body, pulling those heaviest parts of you into lightness. Allow the vibrations of this music to create a sense of buoyancy, as though your body can begin to move higher, floating upwards above the floor, chair, or bed, whatever you are resting on. Now you can look back down and see where you've come from. Imagine you continue to float above the structure that you are in. Would you like to see the entire earth or other planets? Or perhaps you're happy just hovering above your own world. When you look at everything below you, it all just makes sense. You feel understanding and acceptance for all that is. Eventually you are back inside your own structure and resting against the floor, chair, or bed. Check in with your body one more time to notice the weight and heaviness while still allowing for that lightness you found in the music. Allow yourself to settle back into your resting spot while you share the heaviness with the lightness. Just breathe and notice without changing anything. All we can do is continue moving forward using whatever we have learned to do better. Continue to imagine that your inhales are breathing in a sense of acceptance. And allow your exhales to help you feel the heaviness of the earth below you. Yet circumstances sometimes change, and then we have to reset and find a different step and a different path. No matter what lies ahead, however steep or unknown, there will always be a path onward. Inhale the acceptance. Exhale that grounding weight and heaviness. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Do not rush to open your eyes if you plan to. If you are going to continue on with your day, you may want to energize your breath before you let in the light. When you are ready, allow your eyes to crack open and be sure to move slowly at first. Thank you for joining me today. Would you like me to compose you your own guided harmony? Feel free to reach out. It's a quick and easy process. Have a wonderful day, and know you have invested in your own wellness, and this will reach all of those around you.
