The other day I shared a story about my Meet the Challenge mountain plaque that traveled with me for 40+ years. So did my guitar even though I never learned how to play.

I’ve always had a deep secret desire to be a singer songwriter. Not professionally but simply for the fun of it. Maybe even play with a few others. But I never dared to expect that to happen. Still, it laid it the deep recesses of my being. And I had my guitar, just in case.

Music has always moved me. I made a 45 minute cassette tape (yes many years ago) of songs that were great to sing and sob to, then it would move into more neutral songs and finished with upbeat tunes I loved to sing and dance to. It helped me move through difficult emotions in 45 minutes flat.

Music does that.

Listening to music has many benefits, however, taking it a step further and singing is even better. Scientists at the University of Frankfurt in Germany determined that singing strengthens the immune system and improves mood.

Singing releases endorphins so you feel good and energized. It gives the lungs a good workout, along with the abdominal and intercostal muscles & diaphragm. We take in more oxygen and can release muscle tension.

And even if you don’t sing, humming on a regular basis is a great tool to use to calm oneself, clarify your mind and improve your mood. Research has shown humming affects us on a physical level, reducing stress, inducing calmness, and enhancing sleep as well as lowering heart rate and blood pressure.

And if you do it in public, it benefits others as well. Yes, I do this – try it for yourself. Next time you’re in the grocery store (or any public place), hum your way through it. Those that are close enough to hear your humming will most likely glance your way and smile. And who knows … you may have just made their day!

Another application is for self-healing. Notice where in your body you feel the humming, the vibration. You will also notice that various pitches resonate with various areas. Generally speaking, lower tones can be felt more strongly in larger cavities, like the pelvic bowl, whereas higher frequencies may be felt more strongly in smaller cavities, perhaps the throat or head. In this way, you can use humming as a healing tool for yourself by bringing a vibration into an area of tension, supporting it to release.

So I’ve always enjoyed singing …. alone. But then the day came … and I opened to this secret desire and began my journey into music, holding the question – who am I in this world of music? And playfully began to find out.

This is my first ever baby step into that exploration – and if you’re a musician I will just apologize right now for missed notes and such – I’m just a babe here crawling along, exploring this new world.

After you listen to that song you will know why I HAD to write this one. Everything in this song is true. Enjoy

My newfound love brings me incredible joy and laughter – still primarily in the privacy of my own home (with my beloved mountain view) however this saga is just beginning. If I ever do an open mic, I’ll let you know.

What dream of yours is tickling your soul, desiring to be noticed now? Is it time to bring it forth, just a bit? I hope so …