The Voice: Dan Palmere's Blog

Giving thanks helps your psychological outlook

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I thought I would share this topical piece: a collection of psychology research reports in this article point to the fact that by exhibiting gratitude in our everyday lives, we can experience a more heathly and positive outlook on life. You may begin to feel more alert, alive, interested, and enthusiastic.

Some ways to begin, as suggested by the article:

Gratitude journal/diary

• List weekly or nightly what you are thankful for.      
• Write down 3 things that went well on a particular day and why they went well. 

Letter of thanks

• You have one week to write and deliver in person a letter of gratitude to someone who has been especially kind to you, but you never thanked. 

 

The Return: A Thanksgiving Day Special

Well, almost a year has passed since my last blog post. Where have I been and why haven't I updated the blog?, you may be asking yourself. I can assure you that the hiatus has proven to be rewarding; it was a time to refocus, organize, learn and most importantly, to live in the moment. My time away allowed me to explore new places in the country and reflect, being on the road for around 6 months throughout the United States.

I am glad to be posting again, beginning today. Looking over the blog for the first time since last year, I noticed that while previous posts were informative, they came across presumptuous at times. I hope to be more aware of that while writing in the future. I also hope to keep everyone informed of more happenings in my life, as many things are beginning to shift around. 

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for the many blessings given to me in my life: family, friends, talents, health and life. This is always a good day to take an inventory in your life and realize how much you actually have to be thankful for, even if certain things may be disguised as blessings.

Thank you for reading. May you have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving Day and weekend! 

Yours truly,

Dan 

 

The Downbeat

For the past five weeks, I've been training to become a DJ for Berklee's internet radio station: The BIRN (Berklee Internet Radio Network). I learned about topics ranging from aspects of production to running all the equipment. Along with two other DJs in training, we produced our own variety show once a week on Monday mornings. This was an extremely enjoyable process. 

During my first semester (back in 2007), I repeated this process, but had to drop out due to academic commitments. I told myself I would take on the challenge again if I ever felt I had the time, so I finally made in back to the BIRN for my last semester this summer. 

At the end of the training process, we all pitched ideas for possible shows and I found out yesterday that mine had been selected along with numerous other great shows. 

My show is called, "The Downbeat" and will air this coming Saturday, July 3rd from 11PM-1AM and run at that time every week until sometime in August. The show's content will feature selections of music including: big band, vocal jazz, small group combos, and acapella groups. I'll provide a concert calendar for those interested in hearing live jazz around Boston and (with the right planning) bring some student groups to the station to play a set live on the air.

Head over to the BIRN's website for further information and to see all the other great shows this semester. That's also where you can click on a link to stream the show live. 

Thought to begin the week

"The only thing constant in the world is change, that's why I say I take life as it comes."

-- India Arie

(Photo: Dan Palmere, Jamaica Plain, MA)

Care package

It's always nice getting a care package from home. It serves as a little connection of the generosity and love no matter the milage between two people. 

The ones I typically receive have newspaper/magazine clippings of interest, snack-type foods, and books passed along for me to read. It really brightens my day when I find out that one is on the way. 

It's taken me some time to genuinely understand that friends and family like to know you've been thinking about them. This doesn't mean constantly forwarding somewhat funny emails or meeting for "polite, hey-how-ya-doing" lunches every month. It means investing a sincere interest in building the bond of that friendship or relationship. When you're listening to someone, consciously give them your full attention. 

This "care package approach" can be applied to daily life with these suggested steps:

1. Collect articles or photos that remind you of a friend and save it to share at some point.
2. Don't think of favors as your "good deed for the day". Go out of your way to give to others without any reservations or intention of receiving accolades. 
3. You can send little "care packages" to others by just being attentive to their needs and listening.
4. Be one to start involving yourself in local charities through volunteerism or organizing. Be the change you wish to see. Control your life. 
5. Care for yourself and your body. More acceptance, less exceptions. 

Thought to begin the week

You can control the outcome through unconditional acceptance of the situation.

Reassessment

Take a look around you. Who and what are you surrounded by? Are you happy with that? 

Take control over your actions in life and make a positive change. You owe it to yourself.