Creating Connection

I have been noticing how important connection is to me and want to create more of this in my life with my partner, kids, step kids, friends, family and with YOU!

Connecting with someone isn’t complicated. It‘s just those little things … eye contact, tone of voice, listening, presence, time, gentle touch, that can reach someone’s heart.

I especially enjoy connecting with people through music and sound and giving them ideas on how they can do this too.

Today, for example, I connected with one of my clients who has dementia and is currently in hospital. He was pacing the corridors, feeling lost and confused when I arrived. When he saw me he lit up as he instantly recognised me.

Over the past two years we have been playing electric guitar and bass together and singing his favourite tunes while going on outings. He can’t string a sentence together anymore, so instead of talking I whipped out my Rav Vast tongue drum, handed him a mallet and invited him to play. We played together for about 20 minutes. The nurses loved it! I copied his rhythms and melodies, letting him lead the way. We had a few chuckles and I noticed how much more relaxed he became while he was playing. He was totally present with the instrument and the sounds we were creating … together.

This is just one simple way that we can use sound and music to connect with someone and make their day just a little bit better than what it was. What’s more important than that?!?

We can use music and sound to connect with our children, our partner, our clients, our team, our loved ones who maybe be unwell … It’s easy. It requires no words. It is direct. It is love.