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Category Archives for Music

The Self-Love Healing Playlist: 14 Love Songs Celebrating You

There may seem like a lot of reasons to NOT love yourself that are based on standards of physical beauty, expectations of how you “should act,” and unrealistic ideas of being “perfect.”

We all know how to NOT love ourselves. We’ve been taught how to do that from an early age. But rarely have we been taught how to truly love and accept ourselves.

That’s why I created the…14 Day Love Yourself Challenge.

It’s 14 days of daily lessons that include inspiration and practical, creative action steps. Because music is such an important part of my life, and a great compliment to healing, I created this Self-Love Healing Playlist of 14 songs, one to go with each lesson. Listen to all the songs below.

And if you’re interested in signing up for the 14 Day Love Yourself Challenge to get the lessons that go with each of these songs, go to www.krylyn.com/14DayLoveYourselfChallenge. it’s FREE to join.

1. Feeling Good by Michael Bublé

2. What is Love Anyway by Howard Jones

3. Seasons of Love from Rent

4. Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson

5. Christina Aguilera – Soar (with lyrics)

6. Think Good Thoughts by Colbie Caillat

7. Video by India.Arie

8. Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston

9. Thank You by Dido

10. F**kin’ Perfect by P!nk

11. Walking Away by Unspoken

12. With a Little Help From my Friends by the Beatles

13. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

14. Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds

Every Life Matters: Remembering Robin

I am deeply saddened by the news of Robin Williams’ passing. And I see it has brought about so much discussion of suicide. Let us remember the legacy he left. The laughter, the tears, the reminders of what there is to live for. And how each of our lives matters in such an amazing way, even if we can’t see it right at this moment.

As someone who has been both personally and professionally affected by suicide, I’d like to take a moment to get on a soap box…

Suicide does not discriminate. It touches the lives of people from all walks of life, all socioeconomic statuses, all races, creeds, colors, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds, professions, and beliefs.

No one is immune.

Yes, there are warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors. Yes, there are things we can all do to help. It is often a cry for help, but sometimes that cry is so intense, there is nothing that can be done. Even those with all the resources in the world, all the support, all the fame, riches, and perceived perfectness can shut it all out and be left in a hole so deep, so profound, that they only see one way out.

To those who have been in that hole, know that there is a way out. There is ALWAYS a way out, even if you can’t see it or feel it deep in your bones. Sometimes it is just the slightest word, sign, or reminder. But know this…your life matters!

To those who have cared about someone in that hole, you are not at fault. You didn’t cause someone to attempt or complete suicide. Although you are left with the scars and the whys, know that you cannot be blamed for someone else’s actions. Forgive yourself and move on. Your life matters too.

To learn more about the risk factors, warning signs, and how you can help someone contemplating suicide, please watch this video of my original song “Help Me.”

Where to Find Help for Suicide:

  • 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger
  • 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 24 hours a day to talk to a specialist at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  • A community mental health agency
  • A private therapist or counselor
  • A school counselor or psychologist
  • A family physician
  • A suicide prevention or crisis center

Additional Resources:

My Song About Stepping Into Fear

As a singer/songwriter, I am constantly inspired. A few years ago, I wrote several songs which ended up on my CD, Into the Fire, The songs centered around my journey as a new psychotherapist and many themes emerged involving what my clients were facing. The songs included topics such as depression, suicide, borderline personality disorder, dealing with change, the therapeutic relationship, and, of course, fear.

The song I wrote about fear, Into the Fire, ended up being a bit autobiographical about my own musical journey, which has had many ups and downs. In my case, music represents passion (aka fire). I realized how intermingled both joy and fear can be in pursuing passion. It was such an inspirational song for me that I made it the title track to the CD. After listening to the song several times, I realized how much it hit home on a broader scale for dealing with the fear associated with moving forward, making changes, and pursuing passion.

In addition to the songs I wrote for my CD, I also created a Companion Booklet, which includes not only the lyrics, but also the inspiration behind each song, suggestions for using the songs for healing (for yourself or with clients if you are a mental health or healing professional), and questions to ask based on the theme of the song. I included a couple of the questions for you to ponder below as you listen to the song.

Please enjoy Into the Fire, and feel free to leave a comment below about the song or your answers to the questions.

Questions to think about as you listen to the song:

  1. What messages have others told you (either directly or subtly through their words or actions) about taking risks? Are these the same messages that help you or keep you from moving forward?
  2. How does fear of taking risks affect your life? Family? Relationships? Work? Finances? Health?
  3. What are you most afraid of with respect to making progress in your life?

Thanks for listening! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Got CircleSongs

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know about CircleSongs, the improvisational a capella community singing experience created by Grammy Award-Winning artist Bobby McFerrin. Before I went to train with McFerrin in New York in 2011, I came across his album titled “Circle Songs.” These are beautifully crafted improvisational songs by professional singers captured in the recording studio. Some of the singers were also on hand as faculty during the week-long training I attended.

For months, I listened to these songs, waiting and hoping to have an opportunity to train with McFerrin. And when the announcement came, I was one of the first to register.

Listen to these inspirational songs by CircleSong originator and his hand-picked team of singers.

For further information about how you can join a CircleSong group and to listen to samples of CircleSongs I led while studying in New York, please visit http://www.krylyn.com/circlesongs. To register for an upcoming CircleSong group go to http://circlesongs.eventbrite.com.

CircleSong #1

CircleSong #2

CircleSong #3

CircleSong #5

CircleSong #6 – my favorite, btw

CircleSong #8

How to Prepare for a CircleSong Group

When I trained with Bobby McFerrin on his CircleSong process, there was a wonderful story he told about preparing for his performances. He talked about how people spend time getting ready for a performance, picking out clothes and basically transforming into a performer. He said a long time ago, he decided that he didn’t need to transform. As an improvisational artist, someone who doesn’t prepare a performance but rather goes on stage and just lets the moment bring him into the experience and the music, he just needs to show up. Every experience from the day leading up to the performance helps shape the performance. So he said he doesn’t change his clothes. He said “the music is in my clothes.”

What a wonderful concept. How often do we think we need to change (our clothes or ourselves) in order to fit the moment? We craft what to say, what to do, how we will present ourselves. But if we just let our natural self come forward, that is all that is truly required.

In improvisational singing, it’s all about the process of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open to whatever presents itself. Therefore, preparing for it doesn’t require anything but showing up.

When I lead CircleSongs, I tell people to:

  • Expect the unexpected
  • Leave their inner critic outside
  • Bring an open mind
  • Drink plenty of water

The process will take care of itself and lead us to the sounds that create a wonderful, fun, moving, and transformative musical experience.

For further information about how you can join a CircleSong group and to listen to samples of CircleSongs I led while studying in New York, please visit http://www.krylyn.com/circlesongs. To register for an upcoming CircleSong group go to http://circlesongs.eventbrite.com.

8 Songs to Help You Celebrate Your Success

This month is all about celebrating our success here at krylyn.com. Are you ready to let your hair down, shake your groove thang, and get to some celebrating? Sometimes, we need a little musical inspiration to help light a fire. So crank up those speakers and enjoy some of my favorite songs that highlight the art of celebration.

1. Celebration‬ by ‪Kool & The Gang‪

2. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

3. One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston

4. Let’s Get It Started‬ by ‪The Black Eyed Peas‪

5. Footloose‬ by ‪Kenny Loggins‪

6. ‪Put One Foot in Front of the Other‬

7. Oh Yeah by Yell

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8. I Believe‬ by Fantasia

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