Jennifer Hudson calls American Idol Abusive

Did you know that Jennifer Hudson had been an American Idol contestant before her success in 'Dreamgirls'? She doesn't have very nice words for the American Idol experience, and I don't condone the cruelty that's employed on the show, but I would venture to say that Jennifer's current success may be a result of the exposure she got on AI??
Here's the article:

Jennifer Hudson Calls American Idol Abusive
PEOPLE MAGAZINE
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 01, 2007 08:35 AM EST


Jennifer Hudson has won Golden Globe and SAG awards and is up for an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls – despite what she describes as an abusive experience on American Idol.

"On American Idol, you go through this mental thing; you've got to get yourself back together. You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think," Hudson, 25, tells the new issue of Essence.

"You become a character - became the girl in the turkey wrapping." (On one episode, she wore an unflattering outfit that earned that label.) "I just knew I had to sing my way out of it. I don't believe in looking back, and I didn't look back."

Hudson also dismisses rumors that there was tension on the Dreamgirls set between herself and costar Beyoncé Knowles. "We clicked from day one," she says.

She says she, Knowles and their fellow Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose bonded over the fact that they're all Virgos, and all have a mole in the same spot on the left side of their necks.

"It's amazing to me that God took three different women from three different walks of life and created the Dreamgirls," Hudson says. "We were meant to be together. When you look at us, you see it's all connected. I'm loving Beyoncé."


Knowles has also dismissed feud rumors, telling reporters in December: "It's really unfortunate that everyone is saying I'm jealous of Jennifer. ... Because I'm a star they just automatically assume that I'm not humble enough to sit down and take a back seat, which I am."

Music Therapy for Young Asthmatics

Music and singing have so many intrinsic benefits! In my article "10 Ways Singing Can Change Your Life", I talk about how singing promotes deep breathing; oxygenates the blood; stimulates brain activity, and boosts a sense of well-being, among other incredible benefits. The article below by Dr. Jay Adlersberg is so exciting because it talks about helping young asthma sufferers with music therapy!

I've been working with clients with asthma for some time. Through singing therapy, (because it involves re-training the breathing mechanism, as well as becoming conscious of how you are breathing),the affect is dramatic!

If you have a question about how singing therapy can help with asthma, please feel free to contact me.

Here's the article:
Music Therapy For Young Asthma Sufferers
WABC By Dr. Jay Adlersberg

(New York-WABC, February 8, 2007) - Using music class to help treat asthmatics.

Asthma strikes children particularly hard in some areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn. Sometimes medications are the only things that keep kids happy in their daily activities. But now, thanks to financial gift from one of the Fathers of Jazz, music may be helping some young asthma sufferers.

It's an outreach program of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. Melrose is one of three schools in the city which are part of research to see if tension release using woodwind instruments to teach breathing control and relaxation, with the help of the seashore wave drum and Native American flute, can help in controlling asthma.

"It helps them identify when they having difficulties to use these breathing techniques," said Brian Harris, of Beth Israel Medical Center.

These four young men have been taking these classes once a week for the past six months to a year. Their asthma?

"It has improved, because before I couldn't breathe that good," student Alex Calo said. "But now I have more breath to hold when I'm running and stuff."

"Now I can play more, because I have more breath," 11-year-old student Alex Acosta said. "It's better."

"I could breathe more and it makes me relax," 13-year-old student Frank Maxwell said. "So I can play a lot more than I used to do."

And giving kids back their playtime is news in this city.

The Bronx is a hotbed of asthma. The illness causes more missed days from school and more hospitalizations than any other illness in kids under 14.

The music goes beyond just illness control. As with all music, it's about feelings.

"The music, the relaxation, the tension release and the drums," 13-year-old Carlos Vega said. "You could express your feelings when you're playing it."

Coincidentally, because of an aggressive band program at the school, each of these boys already plays a wind instrument. One plays flute, the others clarinet, trombone and saxophone. No problems learning breathing control for them.

Singing and 'The Yawn'

One of my 'Seven Principles for an Integrated Voice' is "The Yawn". If you feel a tightness in your throat when you sing, and feel you have to use a lot more effort to sing high notes, you're probably suffering from a common problem in singers, a raised, or jammed larynx.

In an article by Zainab Al Naji, he states that "when we yawn, yawns consist of an expansion of the chest, descent of the diaphragm and larynx, elevation of the nasal and soft palate, downward and backward movement of the tongue, abduction of the vocal cords, and a wide opening of the mouth."

In plain-speak, simulating the beginning of a yawn simply opens your throat, lowers the larynx, relaxes the tongue, drops the jaw; all of which help to produce a warm, round, open and relaxed tone without any constriction or tension.

It feels good to sing correctly, and this is the best indicator of whether you're employing proper technique or not. If you get hoarse; have an ache in the back of your throat; have to push to get volume; have a tight jaw, or just feel any discomfort at all when you sing - you're doing something wrong.

Conversely, if your voice flows out effortlessly with beauty and ease, with no tension or exertion; if singing is easy and feels good - you're singing correctly! A very easy barometer of your progress!

Watch for Volume One of my "Joyful Singing Series" coming soon! Contact me for more information!

Cold Weather Voice Tips - U of Pittsburgh

Here are some tips from the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center:

Upper respiratory infections (URI), rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis, often affect the vocal cords, causing hoarseness. The best way to prevent URIs from causing a voice problem is to avoid or limit the infections. Preventing URIs can be done by maintaining proper amounts of rest and eating a healthy diet. Good nutrition helps prevent infections and allows the body to fight infections for faster recovery.

URIs frequently are transmitted through young children, especially those in daycare, and by hand-to-hand contact. Thorough and frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with sick children can prevent many winter infections.

Cold weather clothing also can help prevent an infection and other voice problems. Maintaining proper body temperature takes a lot of energy, more if you are not dressed properly for the cold temperature. Seventy-five percent of body temperature loss occurs through the head, so a warm hat can decrease temperature loss and reduce the amount of energy required to keep you warm. This saved energy can be used to fight infection. A scarf is another important way to keep your voice healthy in the winter. Wearing a scarf helps maintain your body temperature, and it can also be used to warm the air you breathe, thus preventing cold air from irritating your larynx (voice box).

HAVE YOU TRIED MY VIVA LA VOICE TONIC RECIPE? IT BOOSTS RESISTANCE!

The Aging Voice

I've recently been asked about the affects of aging on the voice. As the population of Baby Boomers increases, there's more concern about changes that occur with the voice as we age.

The voice tells a lot about a person - their state of health, state of mind, and their relative age.

The aging voice is sometimes breathy, scratchy, weak, trembling or rough. As you read the article by Sue Ellen Linville, you'll notice that there's a lot of medical and anatomical jargon that may get a bit deep for you.

In a nutshell, just know that as we age, our parts wear out!!

And when the parts wear out, vocal challenges may set it. Ain't aging grand???

There are certain elements of our respiratory system as well as elements of the vocal mechanism that begin to show the wear and tear of age, and you can hear it in the voice.

BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS! Overall good health, a nutritious diet, low levels of stress, exercise and a good mental attitude will help you keep your voice in youthful, top-shape long into your senior years!

This is why exercising your voice is extremely important! In order to keep all the parts of your vocal mechanism working well, you've got to use them correctly and often. My uncle, Dick Palmer, is 81 years old, and just began singing a year ago! He loves it and it proves that a voice doesn't have to disintegrate with age.

Yes, there may be some changes in the voice, but with good vocal health habits, you can maintain your voice into old age.

If you want to keep your voice healthy and youthful, I suggest that you begin doing daily vocal and breathing exercises. This will help TREMENDOUSLY and you'll see a big difference in the tone, clarity and power of your voice.

If you have a question, or want to learn more about how to maintain your voice, please contact me. I will personally answer any question you may have.

Also, try my Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe for a healthy way to maintain your physical and vocal health! All natural and good for you!

Here are some exerpts from an article in the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Journal.

The Aging Voice

cite as:
Linville, S. E. (2004, Oct. 19). The Aging Voice. The ASHA Leader, pp. 12, 21

by Sue Ellen Linville

As the 21st century advances, senior citizens will make up an increasingly large segment of the population. In recognition of that demographic shift, researchers are developing a database of voice features that are characteristic of normal speakers from young adulthood through old age. Such a database would be invaluable to clinicians struggling to differentiate normal vocal changes with aging from pathologic vocal conditions affecting elderly patients.

Changes in Speech Production Mechanism

The respiratory system changes from young adulthood to old age. In lung tissue, loss of elasticity is considered the most significant change. Other respiratory system changes include stiffening of the thorax and weakening of respiratory muscles. These changes alter lung volumes and respiratory mechanics. While total lung volume remains unchanged in the elderly, vital capacity decreases and residual volume increases. Maximum expiratory flow rate is decreased and lung pressure is decreased. Thus, elderly speakers experience a decline in the amount of air they can move in and out of the lungs and in the efficiency with which they move air.

The larynx also undergoes age-related anatomic changes during adulthood. Glandular changes may cause drying of epithelium, which may increase stiffness of VC cover. Increased cover stiffness could increase instability of vocal fold vibration and raise fundamental frequency (F0) in elderly men.

Some investigators report progressive thickening of the epithelium with aging in both sexes. In males, thickening reportedly is progressive up to age 70, with declines thereafter. In females, thickening is described as progressive, particularly after age 70. Thickening of the laryngeal epithelium may contribute to lowering of fundamental frequency or to increased harshness of voice.

Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint are described, along with thinning/loss of elasticity of oral mucosa, declining salivary function, loss of tongue strength, and tooth loss.

Age-Related Voice Changes

Perhaps the voice change that has been investigated most is pitch level. Speaking changes from young adulthood to old age, but the pattern differs according to gender. In women, F0 remains fairly constant until menopause, when a drop occurs (approximately 10 Hz -15 Hz). This drop presumably results from hormonal changes that cause thickening and edema of the laryngeal mucosa. In men, F0 lowers approximately 10 Hz from young adulthood to middle age. The reason for this drop is unclear. After middle age, F0 in men rises substantially (approximately 35 Hz) into advanced old age, reaching the highest level of adulthood.

Tremor and increased hoarseness have been associated with the aged voice. Stability of F0 reportedly declines from young adulthood to old age in both men and women. In men, levels of fundamental frequency standard deviation (F0 SD) more than double between young adulthood and old age. In women, levels jump 71% over a similar period. F0 SD ranges for young and elderly speakers demonstrate little overlap, regardless of gender. In contrast, measures of jitter-the cycle-to-cycle fluctuations in the fundamental period of vocal fold vibration-overlap extensively in young and elderly speakers, especially women.

Amplitude stability also declines with aging, at least in men. Indeed, shimmer, which reflects cycle-to-cycle variation in waveform amplitude, may be a better measure than jitter of chronological aging in men's voices because shimmer levels increase independently of health and fitness variables. Age-related jitter differences disappear if health and fitness are considered.

Another voice quality linked with the aged voice is increased breathiness. While elderly men demonstrate a higher incidence of glottal gap than young men, spectral noise levels do not differ in the two groups. However, spectral noise levels increase in men in poor physiological condition, regardless of age. In contrast to men, both young and elderly women demonstrate a high incidence of glottal gap. However, young women tend to demonstrate posterior chink, while elderly women demonstrate gaps anteriorly in the glottis.

There is acoustic evidence of age-related changes in vocal resonance patterns in both men and women. Lowering of formant frequencies (more pronounced in women) suggests lengthening of the vocal tract. Altered vowel formant frequency patterns (more pronounced in men) suggests centralization of tongue position during vowel production. Altered resonance patterns in elderly speakers may result from growth of the craniofacial skeleton, lowering of the larynx in the neck and/or degenerative changes in oral structures that reduce articulatory precision.

In summary, structural and functional changes occur in the respiratory, phonatory, and supralaryngeal systems with aging. Those changes alter the voice produced by the aged mechanism. Gender differences exist both in the nature and extent of age-related changes.



Sue Ellen Linville is associate professor of speech pathology at Marquette University and the author of Vocal Aging (San Diego: Singular Publishing, 2001). She is an affiliate of Special Interest Division 3, Voice and Voice Disorders. She can be reached at sueellen.linville@marquette.edu.

Singing For Alzheimer Patients

Here's an exerpt from an article from Jane Elliot in the BBC News, about the power of singing therapy on Alzheimer's patients. Personally, I've been working with Parkinson's patients for several years now, and see dramatic results in their ability to speak more clearly and powerfully after singing therapy. Their sense of well-being and confidence increases as they are able to communicate more clearly. Their depression also lessens when they can be heard and understood with less effort or frustration. Singing seems to have the ability to bypass the speaking areas of the brain, making the ability to access lyrics and melodies more readily available to those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Singing has proven to unlock the brain and help patients re-learn communication skills.

Here's an exerpt from the article:

Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society and Professor of Age Related Diseases at King's College, London, said singing as an activity did seem to help people with dementia.

"People seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people and there is a lot of evidence that being socially engaged is good for people with dementia."

He said the part of the brain that worked with speech was different to the part that processed music, allowing those who had lost their speech to still enjoy their music.

Mr Ballard said rhythm had also been shown to be beneficial, particularly for those with diseases like Parkinson's where movement was a problem. He said listening to rhythms, even just a metronome, could help.

Winter Colds - The Straight Dope

If you've never read "The Straight Dope" syndicated column, here's a sample. The information is always witty, intelligent, and sometimes irreverent; and always entertaining! And speaking of colds, have you tried my fantastic Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe? It works miracles!

Why is winter the season for colds, flu, etc.?

31-Jan-1992

Dear Cecil:

What is it with sickness and cold temperatures? Countless times I have heard it said that winter is "cold and flu season." Mom always said to put my hat and galoshes on or I would catch pneumonia or my death of a cold. But I'm no dope. I know disease is caused by germs, not cold. From what I can remember of high school biology (not much), germs don't like cold any more than we do--in fact it kills them. So how come people get sick more often in the winter? Or do they? --Ryan Joseph, Chicago

Dear Ryan:

Seems like a reasonable question, doesn't it? Too bad there isn't a reasonable answer. All the research of the past three decades has succeeded in doing is undermining the old wives' tales about wet feet causing colds and such without putting anything in their place. Here's what we know so far, and it ain't much:

The cold, wet feet, etc., don't make you more susceptible to the common cold. Several researchers, obviously graduates of the Joseph Mengele School of Medicine, had people sit in cold tubs and whatnot for extended periods to see if they'd catch more colds. By and large they didn't.

If anything, long stretches of cold temps mean you'll catch fewer colds, presumably because the germs die off. People who "winter over" at Antarctic research stations seldom get colds except when they host germ-laden visitors from warmer climes.

We don't have indisputable evidence that winter is "cold season." Most cold sufferers don't see a doctor, and no central record is kept of the colds that doctors do hear about.

Winter is flu season, but not always. The influenza pandemic of 1918-19, which killed at least 20 million people worldwide, reached peak virulence in the most of the world during the late spring and summer and topped out in the U.S. in October.

Still, most flu outbreaks peak in January or February. Why? Figure that out and you may be hearing from the Nobel committee. Cecil's mother's theory is that cold "lowers your resistance" to disease. Sounds plausible, but during major outbreaks the winter months typically bring an equally sharp upward spike in flu in all parts of the country. Sure, Chicago gets a little brisk in the winter. But L.A.?

Something besides the cold obviously is at work. Maybe it's that even in southern California during winter folks keep the windows closed and stay indoors more, giving them a chance to exchange more germs. If we want to get really creative we may note that if you want to catch the latest bug there's nothing like going to church, and the one time people are sure to go to church is Christmas. Hence (maybe) the January outbreaks. OK, I'm reaching. But nobody knows for sure.

Respiratory infections, setting aside colds and flu, seem to be more common in winter--but some think that's because of misdiagnosis. For example, what may appear to be sinusitis--runny nose, congestion, and so on--in fact may simply a result of "cold stress." Cold stress is a direct bodily response to cold (like shivering, say), not something caused by germs.

Cold stress symptoms can last several days but eventually go away by themselves; so do most respiratory infections. Since most doctors don't send out for tests, there's no telling what the real problem was. Cold stress is most pronounced when the weather changes suddenly, which is when many folks seem to get colds. Maybe they haven't got a cold, they just are cold, if you follow me.

Psychological (as opposed to physical) stress may also play a role. A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that the more psychological stress people were under, the more likely they were to get colds. Cecil can personally attest that cold weather and sunless days can be tough on the psyche. So maybe in the interest of stress mitigation you should pop for a week in Puerto Vallarta--and while you're at it, tell that in-your-face boss of yours to take a running jump.

--CECIL ADAMS

American Idol Criteria - How Do You Rate?

Here's a funny article from Michael Slezak that pretty much sums up the American Idol audition experience. Whether you're a fan of the show or not, I think you'll agree with his candid assessment of the audition process. Which category would you fit in?



TV Watch - from EM online
Crazy in Alabama
In Birmingham, ''American Idol'' breaks all the rules: Paula plays tough, and pretty girls get eliminated; plus, a future star name-checks Hasselhoff

All About American Idol (Series)
By Michael Slezak

There are four standard scripts for American Idol's female auditions (non-joke variety), and they can be pretty much summed up like this:

1. Hot looks, hot voice: ''You're going to Hollywood, baby!''

2. Borderline looks, hot voice: ''Congratulations, we're putting you through to the next round.'' (Be thankful.)

3. Hot looks, borderline voice: ''I dunno, I mean, that was kinda all over the place, but, hmmm...there's something I like about you. You deserve a second chance. You're going to Hollywood, baby!''

4. Borderline looks, borderline voice: Sorry, hon, not even Paula's on your side.

If you don't fall under one of those headings, it's a pretty good bet the show's producers are tossing you into the dignity dumpster reserved for the homely, the obese, the deranged, and the deluded - none of whom can sing, none of whom are traditional beauties, and all of whom can be ridiculed for a few minutes of highly rated entertainment (guilt apparently not included).

Imagine my surprise tonight, then, when right from the opening audition of the Birmingham, Ala., episode, the joke was on a pretty, blond, 19-year-old ''biological science'' major with a tiny waist, an ample bosom, and a wonky singing voice. Pity poor Erica Skye - because Simon, Randy, and Paula did not. Girlfriend was playing the skimpy-top card and raised the stakes with come-hither grins and an eager-to-please demeanor, but after launching into a shaky, breaky rendition of Simon's favorite song, ''Unchained Melody,'' not even the flirty Brit had the urge to indulge; instead he described Erica's performance as ''never-ending torture.'' By the time she embarked on an unsolicited second number, even Saint Paula lost her patience, retreating stage left and looking desperately for something - maybe some earplugs, maybe a security guard, or quite possibly a Taser.

Any which way, Erica-s crash-burn set the tone for an unusual evening of Idol. There was Paula labeling handsome Bernard Williams II as ''completely off-key'' on his rendition of ''Rock With You,'' while Simon and Randy played good cops and gave him a not-quite-deserved golden ticket. Later in the show, Paula again took the lead on a critique, telling wide-eyed Jamie Lynn Ward - who wins this season's Kellie Pickler Trophy for most alarming audition-round sob story - that her voice went nasal when she went in for the heavy lifting on Christina Aguilera's ''Reflection.'' (That said, the kid did have a pretty tone, though it'd be a shocker if she made it past Hollywood.) And later, Nichole Gatzman, a comely teen whose rendition of Bonnie Raitt's ''Something to Talk About'' showcased a voice at least as good as Ward's, got an unceremonious heave-ho from Randy and Simon because...well, just because.

Meanwhile, Chris Sligh, the love child of Jack Osbourne and Sideshow Bob, got Randy howling with his joke about wanting to move David Hasselhoff to tears, then elicited what may have been Simon's most genuine smile of the season following an affecting take on Seal's ''Kiss From a Rose.'' Not only that, the kid's exit-interview comment that Paula ''crumbled in my chubby little hands'' was a refreshing break from the bland therapy-speak most Idol contestants spout into the microphones when they're not singing. Even if he wasn't blessed with that killer voice, Chris' personality makes him a reasonable top 12 bet.

I'm not convinced we saw any other potential finalists tonight. Tatiana McConnico made my day by choosing Aretha's awesomely awesome ''I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You),'' but despite a powerhouse voice, she sounded a little too rushed, and acted a little too naive to handle the massive wave of pressure headed her way. Katie Bernard's version of ''A House Is Not a Home,'' meanwhile, was perfectly acceptable, and I wouldn't have even had trouble with her high-pitched speaking voice - if she'd used it for good, not evil. In other words, it's cute when my four-year-old niece squeals and dances when she's on a sugar rush, but such behavior elicits far less charitable feelings coming from a married woman of 19.

And speaking of charity, when it comes to tonight's self-aware train wrecks (''look how crazy I can act'' bird lady Margaret Fowler and ''look how sassy I can act'' Brandy Patterson, who committed heinous crimes against ''Like a Virgin''), I'm following that homespun rule about not saying anything at all if you don't have anything nice to say. Well, actually, that's sort of a fib. It's not really about kindness; it's just that I set my kitchen timer when I started writing this column, and (hooray!) the ladies' respective 15 minutes are already up.

What do you think? Were you particularly impressed by any of the contestants who were shown getting golden tickets tonight? Were you impressed with Paula's performance? And, like me, are you ready to toss the audition shows in the box to the left and let the real competition start in Hollywood?
Posted Jan 31, 2007

World Sound Healing Day

WHEN: February 14, 2007, join the Sound Healers Association and thousands of people throughout the planet as they tone an"AH" together for five minutes during that day, projecting the energy of Light & Love throughout the Planet. You will actually experience generating a field of transformational energy as this occurs. We have found that creating a Global Sacred Sound any time within a 24 hour period on the planet will create a coherent waveform that will affect the entire Earth. Therefore, any time you feel guided to sound for Planetary Peace on February 14th is a good time! In addition, local toning groups will be occurring throughout the Earth at various times during that day with the intention of assisting planetary consciousness through sound. There will also be several global toning events occurring via the Internet during that day, including at noon Eastern Time on www.healthylife.net and at 9 PM ET on www.allonenow.org.

WHY: To project peace throughout the planet.

What better way to celebrate this joyous day of Valentine's Day then to project Peace to Mother Earth and generate peaceful energy throughout the planet with sound!

Sound coupled with intention has the ability to heal and transform. We will sound an "AH" sending a heart wave of Sound that will resonate throughout the planet. Now is the time for you to be part of the Celestial Choir and resonate together for World Sound Healing Day. We can create major positive shifts on our beloved planet. Through sounding together we will make a difference.

HOW: Sound the heart sound "AH" for 5 minutes. We will simply sound an "AH" filled with the intention of Peace and Love for 5 minutes at your local noon time. The "AH" is a universal, non-denominational heart sound that when projected with focused energy is extremely powerful and effective.


AND: Pass this message on. If it's appropriate, forward this announcement about this event to your mailing list.

Tell your friends and loved ones to join our Celestial Choir and help bring peace to the planet.

There will be sound healing events throughout the world. Previous World Sound Healing Days were extraordinarily successful. We truly made a difference to the planet with our Sound, our Light and Our Love.

Rock Star Camp!

Here's an article from The Independent about everyday folks living their passion for music! I've been advocating music camps for years. As noted in this article, they are usually a life-changing experience for those who attend. For more on the adult music camp experience see my article, "A Baby Boomer Goes To Camp". And if you'd like to come to camp with veteran, Pro musicians, check out what Viva La Voice has to offer!

Here's an exerpt from the article by Louise Jury:

Wannabe Rockers Join Stars At Music Camps
By Louise Jury, Arts Correspondent, The Independent
Published: 29 January 2007

It sounds like the ultimate present for a man in a mid-life crisis - the chance to take the stage with some of the gods of rock 'n' roll.

After running a summer camp for musical teenagers, Mike Hurst created the RockMasters weekend in a country house near Tiverton in response to pleas from their parents that he do something for them. "I had various parents saying, 'It's wasted on the kids. Why don't you do it for adults?" Hurst said.

The grown-ups get catering from Chris Barber, formerly chef to Prince Charles at Highgrove, and clay pigeon shooting in a package retailing at £750 a head.

The rougher end of rock'n'roll it ain't. But the list of those signing up - from lawyers and businessmen to mothers - suggests that regardless of education or career success, in the era of X Factor and Pop Idol, everyone secretly wants to be a rock 'n' roll star.

Hurst said: "They'll all get individual attention and they get to play in the house band. It may attract people like the well-to-do in the City in a mid-life crisis kind of thing, but I think all the people will have one thing in common - they just love trying to play music."

And part of the pleasure was seeing the campers - who in America have ranged from a 17-year-old drummer to the president of an airline - enjoying themselves.

"It was life-changing for some of them," David Firshof (who presented The Band and The Monkees) said. "And they improve tremendously from the moment they sign up. They're given a list of songs they should prepare and they get so excited they start to improve straight away. Their passion comes out."

Are You Speaking Correctly?

Norman D. Hogikyan, M.D., F.A.C.S., who heads the University of Michigan's Vocal Health Center says, "many people take their voices for granted, and don't seek help until a problem with their voice starts interfering with their life. For people whose careers revolve around speaking, such as teachers, salespeople, clergy and receptionists, untreated voice problems can greatly interfere with their work."

Are you speaking correctly? Vocal coaching isn't just for singers anymore. In fact, more and more professionals from all walks of life are realizing the importance of safeguarding their voices while boosting their level of success. For many 'everyday' people in the workforce, their voice IS their instrument, and if damaged or impaired, they can't work!

During these cold winter months, give your voice some extra TLC with my Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe. It sooths tired, sore throats and helps with the healing process. Find it here.
Be Healthy!

ASLHA Association Advice - Voice Strain

Here's some advice from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association:

"Pipe down, please! - voice strain prevention
Healthy & Natural Journal, Oct, 2000


Trying to carry on a conversation at a noisy ball game or amusement park may strain your voice. In an effort to prevent laryngitis and vocal cord damage, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association is offering the following advice:

* Avoid yelling. If you feel strain in your neck or throat, you're too loud.

* Avoid constant throat clearing and coughing.

* Don't try to talk over noise.

* Avoid irritation caused by smoking or drinking alcohol.

* Drink lots of clear liquids."

If you have a dry, winter throat, or have already strained your voice, you've got to try my VIVA LA VOICE TONIC RECIPE! It's fantastic. GET IT HERE

Voice Beautification

I've been advocating Voice Coaching for years. Anybody, from a salesperson, to a trainer, to a bank teller can benefit from developing a more pleasing voice. Whether you like it or not, others judge you by the volume, tone and quality of your voice. Here's an exerpt from an article by Jennifer Saranow in the Wall Street Journal that confirms the growing trend in Voice Beautification for the common man!

"Speech therapy used to be for stutterers, lispers and other people with medically diagnosed language problems. But in a culture increasingly devoted to personal trainers, self-help books and cosmetic surgery, a new outlet for self-betterment is emerging: the personal voice trainer.

People have been wincing when they hear themselves speak since the dawn of the recording. Common complaints run the familiar litany of too high-pitched, too monotone, too nasal, too much like the opposite sex. For women, they often include: too shrill, too "valley girl," or too faint. For men, familiar grievances are too gravely or too weak.

Voice experts say that many voice "problems" are caused by unbalanced talking, or using too much of one part of the voice. (The components of the voice include breathing, vocal chord vibration and the sound of the voice as it resonates out of the mouth, nose and throat.) For example, hypernasality results from letting sound resonate too much through the nose. A gravely or harsh tone comes from excessive tension in the throat area.

The voice "is very similar conceptually to a person’s knee," says Joseph Stemple, a speech pathologist at the Blame Block Institute for Vocal Analysis and Rehabilitation in Dayton, Ohio, and author of a well-known voice pathology textbook. "It can become strained and weakened and unbalanced and you can do direct exercise to enhance it."

The key behind most voice exercise programs is teaching patients to find their "true" sound when emphasis isn’t on one part of the voice over others. Patients learn to breathe from their stomach and let the voice carry more fully out of their mouth. They learn to feel whether they are exerting their mouth, nose or throat too much when talking. They use relaxing exercises to relieve tension that may be putting emphasis too much on one area.

Patients say that the end result is a better voice and more- effortless talking -- but getting there takes a lot of work. Learning to talk with a "true" voice can mean anything from figuring out how to hold your tongue while speaking to breathing differently -- movements that feel weird and unnatural at first. It takes extensive practice to turn such changes into habit.

"The results are largely dependent on the amount of energy that they are willing to put into their practice," says Kate DeVore, a speech pathologist from Chicago, who estimates that personal training of normal voices now accounts for about half of her practice."

If you want to change your voice, look for my 'JOYFUL SINGING SERIES" coming soon! Based on my SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR AN INTEGRATED VOICE, this series will give you the secrets of VOCAL MASTERY! Sign up for my monthly Voicegram to get updates on this fantastic product!

Singing Is Good For Seniors!

According to reports from the National Association of Music Merchants, picking up singing, or playing an instrument after dropping it earlier in life leads to such health benefits as an enhanced immune system, stress reduction and staving off depression and loneliness in older adults.

It's never too late to enjoy the benefits of music!

A Night at Fess Parker's

Thursday nights at Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos are special. Fess and his wife Marcie host an evening of music. Lots of their local celebrity friends drop in; Fess is the MC and also sings a bit, and Marcie usually ends the show with a few songs.

Most of us baby boomers will remember Fess Parker in the Disney series 'Davy Crockett'. I bet you can still sing the theme song, "Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier!" Fess was smart, and after his acting days, he got into real estate and development. He now has a beautiful winery in the Santa Ynez Valley among other resort properties.

My uncle often sings on Thursday nights; oh, did I mention that my uncle is 81 and has a beautiful voice! Singing is his passion, and he usually doesn't miss the Wine Country Inn gathering. Fess asked me to sing a couple of songs, which was fun. It's a nice atmosphere in the lobby with a glowing fire, couches; you feel like you're entertaining in the Parker's living room.

If you go visiting the Santa Ynez Valley, don't miss all the spectacular wineries in that area. Stay at the Wine Country Inn, it's lovely, cozy and you can drop in and sing a few tunes! And don't forget to say hi to Fess for me!

Find out about the Wine Country Inn and the Fess Parker Winery

Recording with Norman Thalheimer

While in California I spent several days recording with my dear friend and collaborator, Norman Thalheimer. Norman and I wrote music and lyrics for "Marilyn, An American Fable", which ran on Broadway at the Minskoff Theater. It's funny how many people loved that show.

I recently performed at a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club with Nyle Steiner (inventor of the EVI), and Richard Souther (4 time Grammy nominee), here in Utah where I sang "I'll Send You Roses" from 'Marilyn'. A man in the audience had lived in NYC and saw the show, which is always gratifying. I guess you can think of your art as a seed carried on the wind. You never know who has been touched by what you do, and where that little seed may end up, hopefully making a difference in the world.

While in So. California Norman and I recorded 15 songs. Some of them were from "Marilyn, An American Fable", and others were tunes we'd written through the years, but never got around to recording. So I'm excited to get them finished and mixed, and make them available for those fans of the musical (there was never a Cast Album done of 'Marilyn').

We also recorded some of our wacky, quirky, theatrical stuff. If you like weird, silly, punky music, hear some sound samples of our stuff (the other side of Beth Lawrence!) by Freud's Funhouse at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/twohandsmouth

For those of you who have my lullaby CD, "Land of Sleepytime", this is definitely NOT music for toddlers or children! These are crazy stories about aliens, peeping toms and other assorted weirdnesses!

Jim O'Neil & Rubicon Theater

On my recent trip to L.A. I spent the day with Jim O'Neil, Artistic Director of Rubicon Theater in Ventura. Jim and I grew up together in Santa Barbara, were at Cal Arts at the same time, and were 'roomies' in our early professional days in L.A. So we had lots of history to dredge up, and bunches of laughs recalling some of our 'finer' moments.

Jim and his wife, Karyl Lynn Burns have been instrumental in creating a fantastic venue in Ventura, California that features some of the best talent around. They've also been wonderfully successful in generating loyal support from both sponsors and the public. With the Endowments for the Arts and governmental support for the Arts dwindling, building an enthusiastic subscriber base is crucial, and not always easy to do. Rubicon uses seasoned professionals for their shows who love the convenience of being just an hour's drive from L.A.
Here's what the Times said about Rubicon:

"Rubicon Theatre Company moves the local stage to a level so many for so long had hoped for... the best theatre around."
Los Angeles Times

The day I visited, Rubicon was premiering a new show 'Back Home Again - a John Denver Holiday Concert', so I stayed for the opening and after-show party. What a great group of supporters! This photo is Jim and I at the party. Note his 'gentleman cowboy' shirt; everyone was in the John Denver rustic look, except myself, donning a Utah snow coat! Hardly needed in warm California.

I wish Jim, Karyl Lynn and their staff continued success. Read more about Rubicon at: http://www.rubicontheater.org

The Incredible Thoracic Diaphragm!

I was so thrilled to see the vocal and breathing mechanism in 3D at 'Bodies The Exhibit' while in Las Vegas! The first principle for great singing in my 'Seven Principles for An Integrated Voice' booklet is all about BREATHING correctly for proper support while singing or speaking.

So I was really excited to see the diaphragm in all its glory, and was surprised to see that it wasn't just a thin strip of muscle, but a huge muscle shelf that separates the thoracic cavity ( lungs and heart) from the abdominopelvic cavity (liver, stomach, intestines, etc.). The diaphragm is King!!

I have always advocated maintaining a soft belly so that the diaphragm can drop down (in its relaxed state it's shaped like a dome), allowing more air into the lungs. To actually see this giant muscle makes it so clear to me that what I teach has complete credence! I tell my students to think of the diaphragm much like a trampoline or strong platform that supports the tone, giving it strength and volume. When you actually see that it physically mirrors this image, that it is a muscle shelf that is designed for SUPPORT, it's incredibly exciting and gratifying!

When you breathe, your diaphragm area should expand. This is a hard concept for lots of singers to get, but you need to physically allow the diaphragm to drop and expand. You never want to 'push' the diaphragm or abdominals out, this creates tension, and with The Integrated Voice method, you don't want tension, anywhere!

Now that I've seen it (in the flesh, so to speak), I fully understand, and better realize, how to enlighten my clients about how to envision their breathing mechanism. I'm reminded again, it's all about the diaphragm! Not a lowly strip of tissue that supports the lungs and heart, but the King of muscles that stretches and expands to give you the glorious feeling of security in supporting your tone.

So honor your incredible diaphragm! By using the breathing mechanism correctly, you'll discover the miracle of great vocal support that will allow you to trust your voice, giving you the strength and confidence to be a great singer and dynamic speaker.

All hail the mighty diaphragm!!

If you'd like to know more about my Integrated Voice Method, see my article "My Story" http://www.vivalavoice.com

Guttman & Guttwoman!

While in L.A. I visited with my long-time friends, Gary Guttman and Rebecca Mills. We had a great dinner at the quaint, cozy Los Angeles restaurant icon, The Tam O'Shanter.

Gary Guttman is an incredible artist, musician and composer. He's working on an ultra-secret instructional product that I'll tell you about as soon as it's ready for release. From what he told me about it, it's something every composer is going to want to have! More news on that later.

Gary also creates incredible art. He runs the gamut of styles, but always with a slightly off-kilter, kooky slant. I love him!

Rebecca Mills is one of my dearest friends. In the years that I've known her she has astounded me with her art, her humanity, and her flamboyant apparel! (See photo of us at the Tam!) In fact, one of my most revered pieces of 'outerwear' was a gift from Rebecca. Once a year, I'll don my RED, SHEARED BEAVER coat with matching fur ear-warmer, and go Christmas caroling here in snowy Utah. I always think of Rebecca while staying warm, cuddly and oh-so-elegant in my gorgeous red fur. I must add here that I don't advocate the killing of animals for their pelts, but I will always cherish Rebecca's fur when I wear it on that one night a year.

For more information on Gary Guttman's music and art:
http://www.garyguttman.com

Bodies The Exhibit!

While in Vegas I had the rare experience of going to the 'Bodies, The Exhibit'. This fascinating display of real cadavers, elegantly preserved, and showing the body in various layers and poses is a MUST SEE. I was just enthralled seeing the muscles, internal organs, blood vessels, and bones in 3D rather than in a flat, text book illustration.

The human body is such a miracle! After spending hours in the exhibit, I was in awe of my body and the unbelievable systems that make it work. I also wondered how any of us make it past 20 with poor diet, injuries, bumps, bruises, illnesses etc. Somehow this incredible computer-machine we walk around in all day, and take very much for granted, manages to transcend our usually terrible treatment.

I left with a new found respect for this physical vehicle, and vowed to take better care of it!

The body is so incredibly delicate (the spinal cord looks like a bundle of silken, angel hair pasta!), yet so amazingly strong and resilient. I also pondered at who, or what, created such an amazing electro-magnetic machine.

Some folks might think that this 'Bodies' exhibit is creepy. Not in the least. It is so educational and awe-inspiring, and I learned so much about how all our 'parts' fit together so neatly!

Children, especially should see this to gain a better appreciation of their magnificent bodies, and hopefully treat their bodies with more respect and healthy habits.

'Bodies' has been around the world and may be winding down the 'global tour', but if this exhibit comes to a city near you DON'T MISS IT! It's still showing in major cities in the U.S. and around the world.

Go see it! http://www.bodiestheexhibit.com

Vegas - L.A. Tour

What a great tour of Vegas, L.A. and Santa Barbara! It's hard to imagine that I was walking on the beach in shorts in 77 degree weather just a couple of weeks ago, when the high here today in Utah is going to be around 26!

Las Vegas is always an adventure. I sang for the Center for Positive Living with their wonderful band, then did a 'Joyful Singing! Workshop' for an enthusiastic group. If you're ever in Vegas on Sunday, go hear Rev. Cynthia Clair for a fantastically inspiring message! For more info: http://www.thecenterlv.org/

anais nin quote

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a
bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Anais Nin, French born, American Author of novels
and short stories, 1903-1977

Volare with Tuba

Okay. Most of us haven't thought of the elegant tuba as the most versatile of instruments. However, my friend, and fabulous tuba player, Ginger Bruner recently dazzled me when I dropped in on her gig in Vegas, playing Italian favorites.

Here's the fun part; the tuba, (it seems all so logical now) was carrying the bass line! OF COURSE! I think my favorite was Ginger holding the trio together on 'Three Coins In the Fountain'!

Ginger's been known to have some of the weirdest tuba gigs in the world; in fact, I think she seeks them out! Recently she played tuba with a rock band!

I have a newfound respect for the often maligned, and under-appreciated toooba.

Above is a photo of Ms. Bruner (who's also in the Broadcaster's Hall of Fame in Vegas) at the Italian Wine Bar gig. (I suggest the Talbot 'Sleepy Hollow' Chardonnay. It goes very well with tuba played Sicilian style)!

Las Vegas Workshop and Sushi Buffet!

Even though I lived in Vegas for many years, I'm always amazed when I come back to this wacky city! I've seen Elvis twice; Marilyn Monroe only once (she was doing some shopping at Trader Joe's!)

What's great about this place is that people come here to reinvent themselves. It's kind of like an early gold rush town - you can be anything or anyone, and NOBODY CARES!

Last Sunday I sang at The Center for Positive Living, then did my "Joyful Singing!" workshop afterwards. One of the participants said "I increased my range by AN OCTAVE!" I love hearing stuff like that! Once you let go and release your voice, great things happen.

When in Vegas I always eat at Makino where you get all you can eat sushi, seafood and everything else under the sun. Isn't my first plate beautiful?? I ate my fill of the salmon sushi.

Hey! My "INTEGRATED VOICE, VOCAL MASTERY SERIES" just rolled out! In Volume One, The Basics, you get 1) a vocal mastery exercise CD 2) The Seven Principles for an Integrated Voice Booklet 3) a BONUS CD - Viva La Voice Tips!

It'll be online soon, but you can pre-order; just send me an email or watch the website for more info!

My client, Ms. Sr. Utah!

Here's a great photo of my client, Janet Seamons, Ms. Sr. Utah! I was there to cheer Janet on at the national pageant for Ms. Sr. America that was held in Las Vegas on November 11th at the Imperial Palace.

What a great event to see gorgeous women (60 +) who are talented, articulate and incredibly beautiful! It was hard to believe that any of the women were over 40 - they all looked great.

Janet was in the top 10, and also won the highest honor of the night, a $5,000.00 scholarship for her favorite charity!

I love coaching pageant contestants; it's all about revealing that confident, authentic self, and learning how to get your message, talent and humanity across to the judges and audience.

Congratulations, Janet Seamons, Ms. Sr. Utah!!

Santa Barbara Bound!

On this mini tour coming up beginning Friday, I'll be heading to Santa Barbara, California. I grew up in SB and love it so much; this will be a great 'homecoming'.

For anyone fortunate enough to be living in the TriCounties area, I'll be singing at the Center of the Heart in Santa Barbara on November 19th. See my 'upcoming events' on the website.

Drop by and see me! Can't wait to see the ocean and smell the salty-sea-air!

Voluntary Simplicity

My October Voicegram "A Life On Fire!" talked about finding fulfillment in our complicated and materialistic Western Society. After reading the Voicegram, my friend Dan Miller, from Seattle gave me a great tip, 'check out Voluntary Simplicity.' You may want to do the same if you're searching for a more simple, fulfilling life. After googling Voluntary Simplicity I came across Linda Breen Pierce's article which will give you a good idea of this wonderful concept. I believe that when you're living an authentic life you are so 'filled' that you don't need a bunch of 'stuff'. Easy to say, difficult to do. It's a quest, and as Ms. Breen Pierce says 'a lifelong journey.' Happy journey to you all! - Beth

What is Voluntary Simplicity ~
by Linda Breen Pierce



Voluntary simplicity calls into question North American society's tendency to equate money and material possessions with the good life. Proponents of simplicity as a way of life reject the notion that our life goal should be to amass as much material wealth and prestigious accomplishments as we possibly can. Their lifestyles tend to involve patterns of working less, wanting less and spending less.

This way of life cannot be strictly defined. It means different things to different people. What may be a simple, enriching life for one person could be a life of deprivation and suffering for another.

Simplicity can best be achieved by paring your life down to its essentials--those things, activities and relationships you either truly need or genuinely cherish.

Simplicity involves unburdening your life, and living more lightly with fewer distractions that interfere with a high quality life, as defined uniquely by each individual. You will find people living simply in large cities, rural areas and everything in between.

Some of the simplicity values that are important to people who live simply are:

1. Limiting material possessions to what is needed and/or cherished.
2. Meaningful work, whether paid or volunteer, ideally spending no more than 30 hours per week (in order to make time for items # 3 to 12, below).
3. Quality relationships with friends and family.
4. Joyful and pleasurable leisure activities.
5. A conscious and comfortable relationship with money.
6. Connection to community, but not necessarily in formal organizations.
7. Sustainable consumption practices.
8. Healthy living practices, including exercise, adequate sleep, and nutritious food.
9. Practices that foster personal growth, an inner life, or spirituality, such as yoga, meditation, prayer, religious ceremonies, journal writing, and spiritually-related reading.
10. Connection to nature-delighting in spending time in nature regularly.
11. Aesthetic beauty in personal environment.
12. Living in harmony with values and integrity.

Living simply does not require adherence to a rigid set of rules, but rather it challenges the individual to live consciously and deliberately. Simplicity is not a destination. It is a life long journey that is not always easy, but ultimately deeply satisfying.

Linda Breen Pierce is the author of Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World and Simplicity Lessons: A 12-Step Guide to Living Simply. She can be reached via email or at (831) 626-8486 (Pacific time).

Copyright 2003, Linda Breen Pierce. You may reprint this article, provided you include the byline at the end of the article.

Las Vegas Workshop

If you live in Vegas, or know someone who does, don't miss my "Joyful Singing" workshop at the Center for Positive Living on NOVEMBER 12TH, 12:00-2:00 PM!

You'll learn all my singing secrets, and also get rid of any fears and phobias you have about your voice.

Get more info:
http://www.vivalavoice.com

See you there! Only $15 if you register early.

Lawrence Wins Zion's Bank Grant!

I'm so excited! I applied for a 'Smart Women' Grant from Zion's Bank, and got the Grant for my program, 'Project Treasure Box'. This will really help me help others. Here's the Press Release about the Grant and Project Treasure Box:

MIDWAY BUSINESS OWNER AWARDED ZION'S 'SMART WOMEN' GRANT

Performing Arts Coach to Help Women In Transition with Project Treasure Box


SALT LAKE CITY, Utah; October 24, 2006 - Beth Lawrence, CEO of the Midway-based company Viva La Voice, was one of 7 women from Utah awarded a 'Smart Women' grant at Zion's Bank Smart Women, Smart Money conference on October 11 in Salt Lake City. Lawrence applied for the Smart Women grant to help launch her Project Treasure Box which will give women who are re-entering the workforce, and are facing challenges financially, emotionally or physically, the opportunity to have private Integrated Voice and job interview coaching sessions at no charge.

"Smart Women" grants are provided to women who excel in a variety of categories; promote the empowerment of women; and emphasize collaboration between women entrepreneurs and non-profit entities supporting women.

Lawrence is thrilled to have been awarded the Smart Women Grant which will help her better facilitate Project Treasure Box coaching sessions. "I want to give women who may have lost hope a positive, life-changing experience that will help them get their life and confidence back, and show them that they can be successful, strong and self-sufficient. I've had my own struggles, which have taught me that self-confidence is the key to overcoming every obstacle. I've been a small business owner and independent contractor in a very difficult business (music), and know the importance of having someone believe in you," says Lawrence.

"I appreciate that Zion's believed in me and Project Treasure Box," says Lawrence. "I want to share what I've learned, and enrich others who could use some encouragement."

Zion's Bank gave grants up to $3,000 to women in business who empower, support and educate women in achieving financial independence.

"We developed the new Smart Women Grants to help bolster the efforts of everyday heroines who strengthen our communities in so many ways through their various talents," said Lori Chillingworth, manager of the Women's Financial Group.

Beth Lawrence is the only expert in the country teaching The Integrated Voice(tm) method, a holistic approach to voice coaching and therapy honoring the connection of body, mind and spirit. For over 15 years, Beth has been helping people all over the United States rediscover the joy of singing, performing, and living their Big Dream. "I love developing the brilliance in others!," states Lawrence, "and being able to give back some of what I've learned in my career is very fulfilling."


Lawrence's voice can be heard on numerous national jingles and soundtracks. Her CD's have garnered awards from Parent's Magazine, Billboard Magazine, the American Song Festival and L.A. Jazz Scene Magazine. An award-winning singer, Beth has appeared in major showrooms and concert venues in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Singer/Composer Lawrence has written music and lyrics for Marilyn an American Fable, a musical that ran on Broadway at the Minskoff Theater in New York. Most recently she wrote book, lyrics and music for The Journey Home, which ran as part of the 2002 Cultural Olympiad.

Viva La Voice is a Company offering voice coaching; voice therapy for Parkinson's patients; songwriting and performing arts training; and a catalog of original compositions and training products.

To learn more about Beth Lawrence and Project Treasure Box, see http://www.vivalavoice.com

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A Life On Fire!

"Nothing sparkles like a life on fire. And there is no greater luster or luxury than feeling at peace in your soul." Tama Kieves

Thank you, Tama ("This Time I Dance!", a great book) for this great quote. It seems that there's a cross-generational 'mid life crisis' that is causing people to become increasingly uncomfortable with their lives these days. Time is fleeting; every day seems to fly faster, and many of us are questioning, as a friend of mine asked 'are we losing time, or losing ourselves?'

We've been led down a material path that brainwashes us into thinking we need more, newer, and bigger 'things'. Suddenly, though, all those material pursuits are leaving us with less time and more frustration. I've often wondered how it would feel to be free of all my 'stuff'; to fly freely anywhere, anytime, for any reason without the terrible burden of carrying around all my memorabilia, inherited china and purchased furniture. Ahhhhh, the freedom of it all!

I think Life is calling to us all to remember 'you can't take it with you, and it's slowing you down!' Attachments of any kind keep us stuck, and more and more people are feeling incredibly rut-bound. Do you feel like the movie 'Groundhog Day'? That you get up and repeat the same boring routine, ending the day wondering what you did that enriched yourself or others? Remember that the same actions produce the same results!

This past weekend I cleared out my closet. It feels fantastic. I've been carrying around clothes that I bought literally 15 years ago! Wow, talk about baggage. I can't wait to get rid of more clutter; it's so freeing!

If you feel like you're losing time; that you're not leading the fulfilled life you dream of; that you're off-purpose, then it's time for a total life makeover! Change your living space, change your diet, change your habitual thought patterns, and rediscover those dusty old dreams laying at the bottom of your closet (underneath those brand new shoes you've never worn - but they were on sale)!

If time IS speeding up, then all the more reason to spend your time doing something you love. All the money and things in the world can't compare to a life chock full of memorable experiences. As Tama Kieves says "Nothing sparkles like a life on fire." Amen, sister!

New Moms - Get some sleep!

If you're a new Mom, here's a tip for you: You'll probably get a lot more sleep if you play or sing lullabies to your baby! The soothing music will calm your baby and help your baby, and YOU get some sleep!

Here's what folks have said about my National Parenting Publications Gold winning lullaby CD LAND OF SLEEPYTIME...lullabies for the heart and soul:

"Your music has been a part of our daughter's bedtime routine for the past four years. It has been a wonderfully soothing way to end our day, as we rock in the calmness of your songs. Thank you for touching our hearts." -Marlene Galiszewski

It's been proven that music calms and sooths; but did you know that music also helps your baby develop important neural pathways in the brain?

Do you want to listen to LAND OF SLEEPYTIME in Itunes?? Go here:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=138183872

"Beth has such a beautiful and soothing voice. With three energetic and growing boys, we really need a winding down time at the end of the day and this CD really does the trick." -Renee Marrs

If LAND OF SLEEPYTIME works for three little boys, it will work for you!

"I recently had a son named Matthew and he has been listening to your Lullaby CD since I was pregnant with him :-) Well, now he LOVES it, and it relaxes him and he goes right to sleep! Your voice is beautiful and I just wanted you to know how much we both love and appreciate the CD." -Rebecca Olson

You can get this terrific baby sleep aid on my website (products) or go directly to CD Baby and get a good night's sleep RIGHT NOW! Here's the link:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/bethlawrence

Do you have a favorite LAND OF SLEEPYTIME success story? Share it with me! Or post a review on CD Baby to help other moms get some sleep!

Scotsman Guide Features My 'Tip of the Month'

The National Mortgage publication, Scotsman Guide is featuring my 'Tip of the Month'in their October issue! This is exciting! Below is a press release:

To Get Ahead - Stand Still

Scotsman Guide, A National Mortgage Publication - Features Utah Business Coach's 'Tip of the Month' in October Issue



MIDWAY, Utah, Oct. 7th, 2006 - Beth Lawrence, CEO of Viva La Voice, lends her expert voice to Scotsman Guide's October issue with her 'Tip of The Month' - Stand Still! This monthly feature offers quick, practical suggestions for professionals in the Mortgage and Banking business. According to Lawrence's 'Tip of The Month', there's power in standing still, especially for trainers, speakers and educators.

"Most speakers are shocked when I tell them to just stand still and deliver their talk," Lawrence says. When coaching speakers and singers, Lawrence makes sure that the message takes center stage, not the messenger. She continues, adding, "Everybody thinks they have to move around to hold their audience's interest, but it's really just the opposite! Unless you're moving for a reason, pacing or habitual gestures are a distraction, and take away from what you're saying. The audience can't concentrate on your content when they're distracted by your inconsequential movement."

"The Scotsman Guide's 'Tip of The Month' has to be 75 words or less," says Lawrence, "so just like the professional speakers that I train, the 'tip' has to be concise and to the point!" she adds. Scotsman Guide is the leading resource for mortgage originators and is published nationally every month in a residential, commercial and online edition. Scotsman Guide goes to over 64,000 Mortgage Originating offices in the U.S. each month. "It's fantastic to be featured in a National publication like Scotsman Guide," says Lawrence, "especially when their past 'Tip' contributors have included world-famous trainers like Tom Hopkins."

What's the point of Lawrence's 'October Tip'? The coach, voice therapist, singer/songwriter says, "Just focus on your message, and have the confidence to stand still when you have something important to say!"


Viva La Voice is a company based in Midway, Utah, offering private voice coaching, therapy for Parkinson's patients, workshops in the performing arts, and music camps for women.
To read the entire article, The Power of Standing Still, go to: http://www.VivaLaVoice.com/articles.htm


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To loosen my heart

This is an incredibly beautiful quote from Dawna Markova that I wanted to share. I especially like the line 'I will not die an unlived life.'

Is there something you want to do, but have put it off? The time is now, DO IT.

Here's Markova's lovely thought:

"I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit."

-Dawna Markova

Carlos y Cristina!

Here's a photo of my friend, Carlos Murguia, 2 time Grammy nominee, awesome singer/keyboardist/composer/producer. We got together last week when he came to town with Chuck Negron, lead singer of 'Three Dog Night'.

Carlos and I go WAY back; in fact I started working in the group Tabasco with Carlos when he was just 15 years old!

We met at Disneyworld, Florida (where I was working in 'Kids of the Kingdom' a 'grown-up' Mickey Mouse Club singing/dancing group). Tabasco was a group of three brothers, their brother-in-law, two sisters, and one of the sisters was married to one of the Murguia brothers! All were from Mexico City. They were so dynamic; did all styles of music, choreographed everything and did tight, multi-harmonies. What a group! They asked me to join their group when one of the sisters went back to Mexico to do a television show, so off I went with Tabasco to work at Tomorrowland Terrace at Disneyland. FUN!

I went on to tour Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, Acapulco and the U.S. and Canada with the 7 piece show group, which was where I learned most everything I know about performing, being on the road, doing Television etc. It was a great group and a life-changing experience for me.

So Carlos and I had lots of memories to talk about, especially since I hadn't seen him in 20 years! I don't know where the time goes!

While I was in the group Tabasco I used my middle name 'Cristina' since it was hard for Latinos to pronounce 'beth' - it always came out sounding like 'bet' or 'betty', so Cristina sounded much more Latin.

Carlos always played the B-3 in Tabasco, and he played the B3 at Chuck Negron's concert, too, so it was fun to hear that big organ sound again that we used so much in Tabasco.

I'm so glad to have had such a long career with so many adventures! I've seen places; met people and shared stages with some incredible people that I never would have, had I not 'followed my muse' and had a music career. It's been a great life, and so much more to come. I love the way my music is evolving; my teaching is helping others, and my friends from the past are still in my life.

Here's to Carlos, Tabasco, and Cristina, La Gringa!

Pungent Lily Performs for SOP Convention

Last weekend Nyle Steiner, Kristin Lish and I (Pungent Lily) performed for the Sons of the Utah Pioneers National Convention here in Utah. There was lots of history recounted, and the convention center was decorated with both a pioneer handcart and an authentic 'prairie schooner' working replica.

We had a great time playing our favorite 'Americana with a twist' for over 400 attendees. When we play old tunes like 'Clementine' etc. it's so neat to see the faces light up and the audience sing along. The fun part for us is adding unexpected chord changes, odd rhythms and my take on 'lyric invention'.

What's lyric invention? I take the written lyrics, then just jumble them up, creating new phrases that incorporate the original words in different order!

Pictured here, from Left, is Pungent Lily's genius inventor, Nyle Steiner, myself 'lyric inventor', and Homer LeBaron, Past President of the local Chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers.

The conference award banquet was held at Zermatt resort, Midway, Utah, right in my own backyard (practically!)

The Heber Valley Railroad!

Wow, was this a busy Fall weekend! Friday, I grabbed my three singer-friends, Cass Ho, Koryn Hafen and Jennifer Ruff, and headed for the Heber Valley Railroad, where we sang songs from my musical, The Journey Home.

The Journey Home Train gig was created for the National Convention of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, here in Midway/Heber and was a perfect program for that organization. The Journey Home was written by myself and David Kowaleski for the 2002 Cultural Olympiad here in Utah, and told the story of a Swiss family of emmigrants who traveled the Mormon Trail with a handcart company, eventually settling in this beautiful valley.

The weather was really cold and rainy, and while we were recounting the story of the pioneer's three month journey on the frigate Columbia, we all felt like pioneers!

The train was lurching and jerking through Provo Canyon as we attempted to sing, keep the PA from falling over, and keep ourselves from tumbling into someone's lap!

It really was fun, and lots of laughs.

The train was full with 320 convention attendees who loved the music and could relate to the stories and songs about the pioneer's journey as they finally came 'home' and settled in Midway, Utah.

The Fall colors were magnificent and a great time was had by all! The Journey Home is a great story with beautiful music written and fully orchestrated by Dave Kowaleski, a musical genius. If you'd like to hear music from The Journey Home, go to the 'products' page of my website: vivalavoice.com

Pioneer history is fascinating, and I think you'll really enjoy this new musical!

Indulge your creativity!

While I was living in Bellevue, Washington I had the opportunity to sing several times at the Evergreen Church of Religious Science. Reverend Jeanette Keil is a wonderful writer and I wanted to share this entry from her newsletter. If you are last on your own list of things to do, take some time to indulge in your own creativity. It will be time well spent.

"This is a great time of year to be thinking about what you want to create in your life. The choices are limitless. What is it that you loved to do when you were eight or ten years old? What do you still long for in your life? What word comes to mind when you think about what it would take to make you feel fulfilled? Is there something missing from your life? If you came up with easy answers to any of the above questions, pursue it. If the answers didn't come easily to you, that’s not a problem. Maybe you can't run with the wind like you did on the high school track team, but perhaps it's time to re-establish the pattern of a morning walk that slipped away so easily in the busy-ness of things. Or, maybe you long to have time to write or paint. Those activities, too, can be re-introduced into your life, perhaps not as a profession, like you once dreamed of, but maybe as an avocation that you indulge in for a couple of hours once a week. Our ability to create is unique. Going within and bringing forth our creativity can be a very enriching experience - for a day, for a week, for a lifetime."
- Rev. Jeanette Keil, Evergreen Church, Bellevue, WA

Have you listened to my podcast? Just click the orange button.

Viva La Voice Podcast #1!!

Wow, what a journey! I'm going to jump in (finally) and upload my first podcast. This is kind of experimental, as I have one podcast in two formats. So the links will be for an audio mp3 file, AND an enhanced podcast that has photos. Hopefully, they'll both work!

The next challenge is setting up the 'link' button. Understand that this is a steep learning curve for me! Most of you out there who even listen to podcasts are probably rolling your eyes at my baby steps here at Viva La Voice. You know, it's okay to venture into unknown territory, and that's what I'm doing.

This podcast isn't perfect! In fact, I've noticed that the actual content is very short (under 4 minutes - it's a test remember!), but the podcast length is something over 8 minutes! So whether the images make it longer (I don't think so), or I just failed to edit the podcast remains to be seen. Rather than go back and spend another few DAYS editing, I'm choosing to upload the thing and get it out there!

I'd appreciate feedback, i.e. can you see the images on PC and Mac in the enhanced version, or are enhanced podcasts simply a Mac feature? I believe the Mp3 file is audio only, it is in my test, but if someone finds something different, let me know!
Are the files too big? Do they take too long to download?

OKAY! HERE ARE THE LINKS TO MY FIRST VIVA LA VOICE PODCAST!:

Enhanced version:

Mp3 Podcast:

Podcast coming soon!

Last month I created my first podcast. For the first two weeks of September I've been learning how to upload it!! Please check back in the next couple of days to get the link to my first podcast!

This whole world of new technology is so fascinating; but also so frustrating!

I'm really trying to wrap my shrinking brain around all these tech applications and learn how to conceptualize the flow of information, then integrate it all.

Whew! It helps me to visualize the pathway (or is it the 'information highway'???!!) for all this information, and how each step in the creation and uploading process moves the podcast to a place in cyberspace where others can access it.

It makes me feel good to be able to master some of these steps, which at the outset are supposed to be EASY, but Ha! aren't that easy for even some seasoned techies. Just when I feel like I know nothing, I'll ask a question like "do you have wi-fi available", and the young girl behind the counter at the coffeehouse will say 'what's wi-fi'? That kind of stuff astounds me, and yet, my questions about uploading a podcast probably astound the guys at the MAC store! So it's all relative.

Tomorrow, after rehearsal and lessons, I'll look through my volumes of notes (mostly tutorials from my webmaster/marketer Nashlah) and ATTEMPT A PODCAST LINK TO MY BLOG!

Once that's accomplished I want you all to get the podcast and let me know you got it. It's an enhanced podcast which means it has photos along with the podcast. (Don't ask me how it works!....)

So tune in soon for a short podcast. I'm planning interviews and interesting content related to all things 'performing arts'. Have any suggestions? Let me know!

I'm also getting my Joyful Singing/Vocal Mastery CD set and booklet ready for press! Lots of new projects in the works which I'll be posting soon.

Beth Lawrence's Viva La Voice Podcast coming soon!

Words From Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter

"I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message." --Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter)

Just last week, a Stingray barb killed Steve Irwin as he was filming another of his educational shows. Some folks thought he was crazy and took too many chances. Others thought he was positive, loved his life, and went at it full tilt. Whatever you may have thought about him, most everyone will agree that he lived life to its fullest, and isn't that what we should all aspire to do????

Steve was driven by his passion for animals, for the environment, for education. He put himself in a lot of scary situations which compelled us to watch and wonder at the outcome. He faced his fears and didn't back down. You can say that it's really sad that his life was cut short while he still had so much of it to live. But what would be worse is living a long, safe, uninspired life without passion or challenge.

Everyday I'm reminded that you've got to grab Life with both hands and shake things up a bit. What good is playing it safe if you never really LIVE? If your life isn't filled with passion, with energy, with wonder, maybe it's time to get out there and chase some crocodiles! We all have fear in our lives, but facing that fear, no matter the consequence is what makes us come alive. Are you standing safely on the shore as a bystander to Life, or are you plunging into the water and wrestling head to head with the challenges that stand in the way of a fulfilled life?

We all stand as an example to others. The Crocodile Hunter may have been a bit extreme for most of us, but his example shows me that there are a lot of areas in my own life where I can be more brave, more open, and more authentic. What good is a life lived in the shadows, hiding in the dark so that we won't have to face our fears? Live fiercely, live well, live courageously so that others will admire your passion and find the strength to hunt their own crocodiles!

End Of Summer Allergies

Lately I've found my nose a bit stuffy and my throat a bit scratchy when I wake up in the morning. All I have to do is walk through the garden to see that almost everything from my glorious cosmos to the prickly thistle are going to seed. So it makes sense that most of us will be suffering from some type of allergy in the next few weeks.

When I was living in Las Vegas I had a chronic bout with a low grade flu, with headache, sore throat, fatigue and achey body. I knew enough to know that flu is a virus and isn't 'chronic'; it should run its course in 5 days or so. When I went in to see the Doctor and gave him my symptoms, he said 'you have allergies.' I couldn't believe that allergies would give me the same symptoms as a flu bug, but less than an hour after taking the allergy medicine he prescribed, I felt better! I was shocked, but now when anyone tells me they've been sick for over a week with similar complaints, I suggest that they probably are suffering from dreaded allergies.

If you're having dry, scratchy throat or other symptoms, why not try my fantastic 'VIVA LA VOICE TONIC RECIPE'?? It tastes so good, soothes the throat and clears up phlegm. It's a great general cleansing tonic for the whole system. Best of all, I want everyone to try it, so you can find it on my website ('Products') for an introductory price of only $3.97!!! Can you afford not to try it?! Let me know how it works for you! www.vivalavoice.com

Enjoy your last days of summer in health!

Sound Repellant!

I recently read about an inventor in England who has created a device called the Mosquito. If you read my blog or website you'll know that I'm an advocate for sound as a healing medium. Well, the Mosquito uses sound for quite a different reason, and gets an entirely different response!

Evidently the Mosquito emits a high pitched sound that keeps errant youths with too much time on their hands from loitering on city streets. This high pitch is horridly annoying to young people under age 25; doesn't seem to bother young kids, and evidently anyone over 25 has the diminished capacity to hear those high pitches!

Interesting how sound frequencies have such a profound effect on humans (and animals, to a greater degree). I have a musician friend who just got a new hearing aid (years of music have taken their toll) that is digital and can be programmed to boost only the frequencies he's missing. He said he stepped outside the other night and could hear crickets for the first time in years!

I believe in the power of sound to heal. I'm rather concerned about using sound to repel or control the population. Our government scientists have invented and are 'experimenting' with a device that emits a piercing sound that is to be used for 'crowd control'. Pretty scary. Sonar used by the Navy is routinely bursting the eardrums of whales. Sound has a power that can scramble our innards. I suppose anything has an inherent duality that can be used for benefit or for harm.

Next time you're feeling uneasy in a public place, you better make sure you're not being bombarded with repellant sound frequencies!

Music Helps Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Patients

I recently read another article about the effects of music therapy on Alzheimer's patients. The article by Jule Klotter, states:
"A music therapy program raised melatonin levels and improved behavior and sleeping problems in 20 male Alzheimer's patients. The Alzheimer's patients underwent music therapy for 30-40 minutes, 5 days a week for one month. Blood samples were taken before the first session, at the end of the four weeks of therapy, and 6 weeks after the study's conclusion. Dr. Ardash Kumar and colleagues at the University of Miami School of Medicine (Florida), who reported the study in Alternative Therapies (1999;5:49-57), checked the levels of melatonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, and prolactin. These brain chemicals are known to affect mental state. They found that melatonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine blood levels had risen significantly by the end of the 4-week therapy program. Moreover, melatonin levels remained high 6 weeks after the program had stopped. In addition to the hormonal changes, the participants in the study also became more active and cooperative and slept better."

In my work with Parkinson's patients, I see remarkable results when patients use singing therapy as a means of strengthening their voices. Their breathing, articulation and speech rhythm all improve, making them much more understandable. This is a Godsend not only for the patient, but for their caregivers, also, who sometimes get as frustrated as the patient when communication is difficult.

Music and singing are a part of our core being. With the musical arts, we can bypass the thinking brain, and go right to the emotional center of the person. Many Alzheimer's patients remember songs and lyrics easily, when other mental faculties may be lost or difficult to access.

I believe that the field of music and voice therapy are just beginning to emerge as the key to helping patients with non-invasive treatments, and I'm proud to be a Music Practitioner who can help others get more joy from their lives.

Nyle Steiner Goes Country!

My good friend and music collaborator, Nyle Steiner (he's the genius that invented the Electronic Wind Instrument, played by jazz musicians worldwide) and I did a benefit for Wasatch Humane on Saturday. (You can see Nyle's invention in this photo). This was a really worthy cause and we were glad to help this organization that does a lot of horse rescue and rehab here in Utah.

When we got to the gig it was a decidedly 'horsey' event so we pulled out some of our more 'americana' tunes, and with the help of keyboardist Cary Hobbs, we did some fun music, very fitting for the occasion - stuff like 'Don't Fence Me In' Ha!

Before we played Nyle jumped in and played a few tunes with the cowboy band 'the Hometown Pickers'! A good time was had by all as Nyle can create the sound of harmonica, pennywhistle etc., all sounds that fit just great with the cowboy music.

Here are a couple of pics with Nyle in his farmer's hat and me with one of the adoption horses.

Curing Nodes

I recently had an inquiry from a singer/songwriter who was diagnosed with nodes, and wondered if I had any advice for her. This is the response I gave her, and hope that it might be of help to anyone else who has, or has had nodes:

"I'm sorry that you're having voice challenges. For a singer/speaker, nothing is more stressful than nodes.
If you haven't done so already, you should read "My Story" on my articles page. It details my own vocal challenges until I finally FOUND THE RIGHT TEACHER! I haven't had one problem with my voice for over 20 years! (www.vivalavoice.com)

You might also check my Blog and look at the archives; lots of helpful info.

I will tell you that no amount of vocal rest is going to save you from nodes in the future unless you begin SINGING CORRECTLY! Trust me when I say that nodes don't come from overuse of the voice; they come from too much compression on the vocal chords, pushing, jamming the larynx etc., and you've got to learn to get rid of those destructive habits. I have sung for hours on end 7 days a week and have never damaged my voice, thanks to finally finding a technique that was healthy.

I'll be coming out with a new Vocal Mastery Exercise CD and booklet, and you might think about getting that. When I had nodes I began studying with my Mentor, Giuseppe Balestrieri, and was very worried about using my voice. My teacher said, 'even if you have nodes, they'll go away once you start using your voice correctly'. AND HE WAS RIGHT.

I wish you luck. Not being able to use your voice is heartbreaking. It's your passion, and also, your vocation. Find a good teacher who teaches Bel Canto and make the investment; it will be worth it and it will change your life as it did mine."

Dry, Summer Throat?

Are you suffering from a dry, summer throat? Do you run, bike or play tennis outdoors in the hot, dry air? If so, you may be suffering from a scratchy voice due to drying out your vocal chords. Allergies can also dry out the vocal chords and irritate the throat.

If you're having any 'dry throat' symptoms, why not try my 'Viva La Voice Tonic' recipe? It's fantastic for soothing and hydrating the voice, cleansing the system, and cutting plegm. And best of all, you can now get this fantastic recipe online! Go to my website, www.vivalavoice.com and click on 'Products'. I'll send you the recipe and an article about how I developed the Tonic due to years of professional singing in sometimes hostile conditions!

You'll love what this Tonic will do for your voice, whether you're a singer, speaker, salesperson or outdoor athlete. Enjoy!

Music Eases Labor Pains

In a 1986 paper published by the Journal of Music Therapy, a research associate at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute described the effects of music therapy on women in labor. For 10 contractions, women listened to songs they'd previously used as part of their relaxation techniques. They then alternated 5 music-less minutes for the duration of labor.

The women reported fewer pain responses -tense muscles, clenched teeth, raised shoulders and requests for painkillers - while music played. As I've said in earlier blogs, music is a great analgesic for pain!

Dentists have also discovered the effect of music on patients who wear headphones while having dental procedures. The music blocks the sound of the drill, diminishes pain and reduces patient anxiety. Next time you go to the dentist, ask to have headphones with your favorite music, or bring your own ipod!

More and more hospitals are using music to speed healing and relax patients during surgery and in post operative situations.

Singing: A Natural Act

My Integrated Voice Method is based in Bel Canto, an old Italian method which is said to date all the way back to the middle ages. In line with the philosophy of Bel Canto, I believe that singing is a natural act; an extension of relaxed, released speech.

Usually, when a client comes to me, the moment they begin singing, they create a phony, forced tone. Why do we believe that we have to DO something different the moment we start singing? I like to demonstrate to my students the speaking of a line (in my 'actress' voice) then immediately singing the line in exactly the same place (voice placement) with exactly the same tone quality. I didn't do anything different! Singing shouldn't be a big, mysterious production; it's just a natural use of our voice. When you were two years old you didn't obsess about technique, how your voice sounded or whether you'd hit those 'high' notes; you just SANG because it was fun and felt good! I'm constantly urging my students to 'stop thinking, and start feeling!'

We spend so much time in our heads, analyzing every note, every 'mistake', whether we're doing everything perfectly. Practice imperfection! Stop thinking and just enjoy the experience of singing. You were born singing, just let it happen. Get out of the way of your voice and let it spill out in all its magnificence! The challenge most singers have is trying to control their voice. Over the years, this mechanism of control translates into constriction and holding, which keeps the voice from releasing fully and naturally.

Singing is a natural act! Don't try to intellectualize it. You've always known exactly what to do to sing beautifully. Strip away all the controlling and manipulating and let your voice be free! There's nothing difficult about singing, unless you've created challenges from years of limiting your own brilliance. Sing because you love it!

The Spirit of Findhorn

"When your desire is to bring peace and harmony into the world, then you will have to start by finding peace and harmony within your own heart. It is a waste of time talking about peace. You have to seek and find that consciousness of peace which nothing and no one can disturb, and remain in it." - Eileen Caddy

Great quote, no? Eileen Caddy was one of the founders of Findhorn, a spiritual community in Scotland. I first read about Findhorn in the book 'The Gardens of Findhorn', and became entranced with the underlying philosophy. On an unforgiving sandspit of land, the Caddys, along with Dorothy McClean, created a magnificent, world-renown garden by cooperating with nature spirits, 'Devas', who helped them turn out lush flowers and vegetables in the worst of conditions.

Findhorn has grown and gone on to be known as a center for spiritual growth, and many global workshops and seminars are held there. While there may not be 50 -pound cabbages, still held there is the vision for world peace, working in cooperation with the natural elements, and a sense of the simple life.

We would all benefit from creating peace in our own lives. When you look around and see such strife and divisiveness, it's easy to want to 'change the world'. Sometimes it's overwhelming in its scope, and you wonder where to begin. As Eileen Caddy said, you must find peace within so that nothing and no one can disturb your calm center. It's from that point of strength that you will affect others. They will feel that positive energy flowing from you and will want to be a part of it. Your inner peace will be a comfort and example for others to follow. So don't think you have to change the world. Change yourself first, and others will surely follow in your footsteps. Start by 'finding peace and harmony within your own heart.'