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Composing music is an art that requires a lot dedication that most people prefer not to venture into due to the fear that their music may not be fully accepted. Simple ways that can help in coming up with your own wonderful compositions include:

1. Have a music composition goal

Before embarking on composing it is good to understand why you are composing the song. Is it for you or for others? This will highly influence the words and the tone in the music.

2. Understand your mood

Music is an expression of how one feels and thus it is very important to understand what exactly the music should portray.

3. Always start with lyrics before writing the music

This may sound absurd but it works very well for inexperienced composers. When one comes up with words first, he/she is able to formulate the right beats that will fit into the lyrics. Writing lyrics also helps one to understand what words to focus on and thus to be used more times in the song.

4. Listen to your brain

For most renowned composers, music starts lyrics which keep on repeating themselves in the mind. For amateur composers it’s advisable to write down such words to come up with lyrics. During such a session, a quiet environment is the most ideal as it promotes one’s level of thinking.

5. Learn from compositions of others

Having made your own music is important to compare what you have made with what others have come up with. That is why it’s important to have a musical role model/mentor with whom you can compare works. This also helps one to learn about the areas where they need to improve or the changes needed on their own compositions.

6. Make Use of music composition software

Music composition software is a set of programs that help in writing, music by helping to organize one’s work and allows one to see what they are playing. The software comes with a playback feature to allow the composer listen to what he has come up with and thus make the necessary changes.

7. Chose the right instruments

Accompaniments make music to definitely sound better. Thus it’s important to choose those instruments that will bring out the desired sound and beat. A grand piano is a great way to start as it brings out the notes more clearly.

8. Seek honest opinions of others

It’s good to let others hear what you have come up with as they are in a position to advice you on which areas need improve. A person who is not as close would be able to give unbiased opinions.

9. Do something different

For instance learn how to play a new instrument that will make the overall quality of music better or practice an octave higher.

10. Practice makes perfect

Never stop practicing even when you think you’ve got it all pat. A daily practice routine will go a long way in yielding a desired outcome.

Thomas K is an avid musician. He has been writing and performing music for years. He is a family man and enjoys to write things about his children, check out his website Childrens electric toothbrush.

It was the type of conversation we’ve all heard, and then thought, “I’d never do that!” In a small restaurant north of San Francisco, I heard a woman loudly complaining to a friend about the ingratitude of a relative. “I just don’t understand it,” the woman said. “I tried to be helpful. You know, her husband is in critical condition, and she just about bit my head off when I offered to help. You’d think she’d be more appreciative.”

EMOTIONAL SHOCK

Often the term “shock” is used to describe changes in a person’s behavior because of a traumatic event. Nineteen physiological symptoms have been identified, but very little is written about the effect an emotional shock has on words and actions. And when they are noted, most people identify them as aberrations of the person’s usual character. That’s so unlike him, or Yes, I know she can be self-centered at times, but this is ridiculous, are the types of statements I often hear when someone is describing a strange or hurtful behavior by a good friend or loved one.

In many cases, these “bizarre” behaviors begin shortly after a traumatic event and often linger. I think one reason they are misunderstood is that what’s traumatic for one person may be of little consequence to another. The loss of a pet may be just as traumatic, or even more so, than the loss of a spouse. The inability to run competitively for a professional athletic may produce more emotional shock than the loss of a leg of someone who was always been physically inactive. It’s the consequences of losses that are of significance, rather than where they should fall on an abstract list of things that are “important.”

THE EXPERIENCE

I witnessed an interaction between two friends that followed an emotionally traumatic event. In individual conversations with me, each said the other was uncaring and each looked to me to verify their own, unique interpretation of what occurred. I felt I was in the middle of the wonderful 1950′s movie. Rashomon by Akira Kurosawa, where three characters each describe a terrible event. But the description of each differs according to each person’s needs. And so it did for my friends. Each filtered what had occurred through the pain each was experiencing.

For more than thirty years in various capacities, I witnessed the effects of emotional shock. As a communications counselor I’ve seen “hostility” in clients who realize that their ability to communicate in a certain way is gone. As a speech-language pathologist I watched the “unexplainable” reactions of parents when they accepted that the dreams they had for their child would never be fulfilled. As a hospice caregiver I’ve witnessed the transformation of emotional shock into the “abusive” reactions of family members as the death of a loved one approached. As a change consultant, I’ve listened to supervisors describe the sudden “bizarre” changes in an otherwise model employee. And as a university professor, I’ve been the recipient of “hostile” personal invectives by a graduate student when I gave him a B+ instead of an A- for a term paper.

WHAT TO DO

Despite understanding that traumatic events effect relationships, my patients and clients felt unable to change their behaviors and words in the midst of an emotional shock. They looked back and couldn’t believe the hurtful words and behaviors that came from them. Even with hindsight, few believed they could have done or said anything other than what they did. If reactions to traumatic events are more irrational than rational-and I believe they are-then the focus on how to minimize their destructive effects falls on the person who is receiving the abuse.

As a hospice bedside volunteer for eight years, I’ve learned to park my ego outside the doors of my patients. There are instances when I’m just collateral damage for my patient’s anger at what is physically happening to them or the family’s frustration at a loved one’s discomfort. Just as the experience of dying is not about me, the emotional shock that translates into unskillful acts and words of a friend or loved one is not about you.

But understanding the unskillful acts of others, doesn’t mean “turning the other cheek.” A more appropriate response is the type found in the marshal art of Aikido, where you defend yourself while protecting your attacker. Defending yourself involves understanding that the invectives thrown out against you are probably more a reflection of your attacker’s unresolved problems then anything about you. Protecting him or her requires the type of restraint you might use when a drunk who can barely stand picks a fight with you, or a devastated loved one accuses you of unimaginable behaviors.

Arguing rationally with someone in emotional shock rarely changes their view, and more likely will result in building an even higher defensive wall. Although you may believe that counter-attacking is a way of disputing a delusional belief and protecting yourself, it can be destructive to a valued relationship. Learn from the Aikido Masters. Listen, don’t confront, and gently turn away your attacker’s anger by being supportive.

Stan Goldberg, Ph.D.. author of 6 books,100′s articles on end-of-life, grieving, and the recovery of joy. His book, Lessons for the Living was awarded the 2009 Best New International Book at the London Book Festival and an excerpt was the lead chapter in McClead’s Best Buddhist Writings of 2010.

Buying gold jewelry can be an intimidating prospect especially if your knowledge of gold and or jewelry is limited. Gold is such a precious metal and whether the jewelry you seek is for yourself or someone special, you want it to be perfect. There is a lot to know about gold and with a little bit of knowledge before you buy you can be sure to make the right purchase.

First, there are different karats of gold to choose from including 10 karat, 14 karat, 18 karat and 24 karat. The karat of gold refers to its purity or how much of the gold is pure gold as opposed to other metals. 10 karat gold is 10 parts gold or 41.7% pure gold. This is the minimum amount of gold required for it still to be called gold. 14 karat gold is 14 parts gold or 58.3% pure and 18 karat gold is 18 parts gold or 75% pure. Gold in its most pure form is 24 karat gold with no other metals mixed with it.

In order to decide which karat of gold is the best choice for you, consider what you want to get out of the piece. If you want a piece that will last for a lifetime and are looking to make an investment, consider purchasing a piece that is 18 karat or 24 karat gold. However, keep in mind that the higher karats of gold are going to be much softer making them susceptible to dings and scratches. If you want a piece that is beautiful, durable yet a bit more affordable go with a lower karat of gold.

Gold also comes in a variety of colors giving you even more options when it comes to picking out a new piece of jewelry. All gold starts out yellow in color but can be altered to become white, green, rose or even black. No color of gold is any more valuable than another; price is directly correlated with the gold’s karat. When deciding on a color for your gold jewelry, personal preference is all the information you need. Also consider design when choosing a new piece. The more intricate design the piece has, the more you will most likely pay for it. More simple designs will be easier on the wallet.

When you go in to a store and begin browsing the collections they have to offer, be sure to ask a lot of questions. Ask the salesperson what the karat of the gold is. Retailers are not required to label gold with its karat, so asking is key. Reliable and well known jewelers can be trusted to be honest about a piece of jewelry’s karat and value. You must be a bit more careful if you are shopping online. Do some research on a site before hitting “add to cart”. Look for reviews and be sure to review their return policy. Once you purchase a piece of gold jewelry online, you should be able to take it to a jeweler and have them to a gold test on it to determine its purity.

Ronnie Adolf is the president of Adolf Jewelers, a local Richmond jewelry store. Adolf Jewelers offers a huge selection of Richmond engagement rings and Richmond designer jewelry. Adolf Jewelers can be found online at: AdolfJewelers.com .

As we approach another holiday season of gratitude, giving and being thankful, what lessons have we learned from the current economic conditions?

Many of us have been living beyond our means for a long time and people of color especially have stressed themselves into early graves in their quest to “keep up with the Joneses” and to “give their children the things they did not have.”

The elements of being thankful should not be rooted in the number of gifts one receives or outdoing the neighbors, but taking into consideration all that surrounds us each and every day with the understanding that it can be taken away so quickly.

In Japanese culture, the psychology of Naikan provides guidelines that identify a more authentic life that incorporates gratitude and being thankful for the things that we often take for granted in making our own lives possible.

Through self reflective practices, there is a new awareness that is built upon the inner gifts that do not require external material elements that are short term in satisfaction.

We often wonder why many young people today are so easily distracted or never satisfied. Clearly, effective marketing strategies that are specifically designed to generate short term boosts based on “fad mentality” are partially to blame.

Each year, the “new and improved” or “latest version” adds to the “must have at any cost” mania that pervades our society, but the lack of introspection and a not-being thankful nature only increases the dissatisfaction and ingratitude. So, we have evolved into a society of complainers and only in times of crisis do we return to the basics in a wistful “I wish I could have appreciated what I had.” It is time to make that change.

Why wait until you “hit the emotional wall or a physical crisis” before being thankful? Why wait for the ad agency driven commercialism to determine how you can be thankful and what gifts to share?

Do you realize how much time you waste complaining about what you don’t have versus rejoicing about the things you do have? Do you notice how tired you become when you are around someone who complains all the time?

Research has shown how negativity can be so draining and how positive energy helps to revive your spirit. Just imagine having the spirit of the holidays and the essence of gratitude and being thankful all year round. It all begins with you. Take your own accounting — not of your bank account, but your life account.

The art of life accounting and tracking the blessings in your life is the start of your “being thankful with no time to complain” model.

Next, the art of giving of yourself to others through service and support provides more positive and productive reinforcement. Just volunteering for a photo opportunity or because it is the holiday season is not enough.

We are all given talents and gifts that we too often take for granted and are only loaned to us to benefit others. It is time to “give back” and to share those blessings and to live the example that you expect others to follow. And teach that to your children.

I once marveled at a prayer given by a Native American holy man who took the time to give thanks not just for the food we were about the eat, but the air we breathed and the elements that helped the crops and animals, the cleansing waters that flowed and the earth from which the food was harvested. That caused me to reflect on all the things that we fail to be thankful for within us and around us in our quest for material goods.

Years ago, a dear friend was paralyzed in a car accident and his outlook on life left an impression on me. I was thankful for the things that he was still able to do and he was not one to complain, because you could see how big his heart was and his giving spirit.

His gifts to the world were still limitless and I treasured his friendship and that spirit. It just reminds one of the saying about not complaining when you have no shoes when you see someone who has no feet. Some people have shoes that they do not even use that someone else could be wearing.

This season should not be any different from any other day because everyday is a holiday and a time for giving and being thankful. The time we take to complain should be replaced with giving thanks for all the blessings that we take lightly and all the people who have been a positive part of that experience and giving back – and that does not always have to be monetarily.

Hard times are not new, but how we deal with them by digging further into debt as a means to escape and compensate is not the answer.

When the fame and fortune are gone, the faith and fortitude to maintain that spirit of gratitude is what will make the difference. We need to teach our children by first living the example of being a gracious giver based upon those basic, internal gifts that make the playing field level.

Visit a nursing home, bake cookies for new neighbors, plant flowers in the neighborhood, smile at a sales clerk, make someone laugh, or write a letter to thank a veteran – just make a difference. It will come back to you.

Gratitude is an interpersonal, lifelong attitude that encourages sharing one’s blessings and not a promotional, seasonal theme focused on being expensive gifts. Think about it!

Meta J. Mereday is a writer for ; Regal Black Mens Magazine The publication focuses on ; African American Community News Politics Sports Health The magazine features a ; Local Online Classifieds & Job Classified Black Business Directory Visit to read about ; being thankful