It’s the last Friday of the month and you know what that means. It’s time for the We Are the World Blogfest — #WATWB — where you “accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative and don’t mess with Mr. In-Between.”
This month’s wonderful co-hosts are: Lynn Hallbrooks, Michelle Wallace,
Sylvia Stein, Sylvia McGrath and Belinda Witzenhausen. Pop by their websites.
Rebuilding
So we all know it’s been pretty rough out there, the name-calling, back stabbing and downright nastiness seem to permeate everything. But it’s really not the case everywhere. The other day I got an email out of the blue from a group called Voices for Peace Lancaster. Here’s part of what it said: 
The email continues, inviting singers of all ages and skill levels to participate in a new choral group whose goal is to have fun and elevate the world through music. All I have to do is show up and sing.
Music is good for the emotional body as well as the physical body. In fact, the art of toning practiced for centuries by mystics, has its corollary in music. Singing elevates the spirit, lowers blood pressure, and creates an endorphin rush. My daughter’s piano teacher says you’ll never need therapy if you can play the piano — or any instrument — when you are feeling down (the human voice being the first instrument). The whole Voices for Peace endeavor is so appealing to me that I’ve already recruited my youngest to go with me to the weekly meetings.
So it’s with pleasure that I share this video about a group of kids in Malaysia who sing to rebuild their own broken parts. What spirit!
Don’t have a singing group to join? Then sing in the shower!
pjlazos 6.30.17
Green Life Blue Water 
Pam, now that gives voice to goodness in more ways than one. Adding the clip of the children just adds to the overall opus. I cannot find words to describe the gift that music is to our humanity. Nice one. I happened to be listening to Riverdance while reading these blogs 🙂 Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
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Yes, I love to listen to music when I write. The type of music I listen to lends itself to the particular piece I’m writing. It’s a great time to be alive, music-wise. 🎶
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Thank you Pam – I just loved this – those eager faces clapping hands – singing ‘… let’s come together to protect what’s left – for all of us …’ and later singing in English! So heart warming and has left me smiling. A lovely post!
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Thank you, Susan!😘
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That is just wonderful, Pam! Who doesn’t love music and singing. Those kids are so precious!
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So totally agree!
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What a wonderful find – the very idea of Voices for Peace makes my heart sing. And what beautiful lights those young Malaysian boys are. How can we not heed their request?
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So true, Deborah!
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Love this story! Music is so transformational and healing. Music will probably play a huge role in their lives as they grow. My husband is a musician, he started when he lost his parents at thirteen, he credits it for “saving him”. Now in his 50’s he still plays every weekend and it’s an important part of our lives. Thank you so much for sharing this! #WATWB
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So my daughter’s piano teacher is right!😘
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Sister, love the sounding of the bell for some kind of peace xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Perhaps I’ll add my Djembe to the mix! oxo
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YES!!!
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Art for rebuilding, a wonderful endeavor.
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Ay, it is. :0)
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Hi PJ – so inspiring to see and to read … extraordinary things come out of challenging times – these kids are a delight to see … and natural disasters do not help when they happen, but as mentioned here – we can help protect our natural world, which can then absorb some of these challenges that beset the world … thanks so much for highlighting these Malaysian voices … cheers Hilary
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Thanks, Hilary. From ordinary things done with love come the most extraordinary things to change the world. ;0)
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Such a lovely idea! I would also add that if, like me, singing isn’t really your thing, there’s also joining an orchestra or band. Making music together is a real force for healing!
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Oh, how I would love to if I could just play an instrument, Karen! I do have a Djembe, but am not that proficient at it since I never make time to play it. Maybe this little endeavor will get me in the spirit!
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I have been in a choir, but I’m not very proficient at singing. I have been thinking that next year when my daughter goes to college I might have time to be in the church choir again. We’ll see. There are also other music groups to join!
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