Hello Happy Friday! Which is actually Tuesday as I write this, but in keeping with the theme and alliteration, we’re sticking with the name First Friday Recommendations. This is a recurring post format I’m looking forward to with an intentional time to reflect on the resources that have been helpful for me in this journey. So let’s get to it! Today my recommendations include a song, book, and movie.
Song: “Good Job” by Alicia Keys
This song is such a treasure with its simple piano accompaniment and storytelling aspects. When I listen to it I feel validated that yes, life can be hard and work can be challenging, but I also feel lifted up. Keys reminds us
“Don’t get too down
The world needs you now
Know that you matter”
Sometimes all we need is to remember we matter and what we do matters. Even if it only affects one person. Even if that one person is yourself.
Literature: “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book actually has nothing to do with music therapy, but has become one of the most influential things I’ve read in a long while. The author, an Indigenous American woman and Forestry scientist combines indigenous wisdom and understanding with modern scientific principles, offering solutions to some of our pressing environmental problems. She invites gratitude and compassion in place of ignorance in how we interact with the natural world around us, and I have not been able to look at trees or even the houseplants on my windowsill the same ever since.
Movie: The Social Dilemma (found on Netflix)
This movie is a bit haunting but very thought-provoking. It takes a deep dive into the way social media platforms operate by interviewing former big time creators and managers who left companies like Pinterest and Facebook. As with music therapy, social media can change neural pathways in our brains, although not necessarily for good. I included this movie with these recommendations because I aim to provide holistic care in my practice and believe our screen attachments are very important to think about.