For grandparents and children alike, the experience of music is one of life's greatest joys and ultimate thrills. Children love to dance to music before they even learn to talk. And, musical instruments combine fun with an educational challenge that develop the human brain to new heights. Want to tap into the power of music as the bridge toyour grandchild legacy? Start youngsters off with a variety of musical toys for play and experimentation. In their early school years, make the special gift of a first instrument. Leverage today's technology too...MP3 players and Ipods. Download the latest hits for them and sample them your old favorites! Soon, you'll have mutual favorites, and who knows...maybe even a song they'll remember you by forever...
Music is well said to be the speech of angels.
~Thomas Carlyle
Hasn't music been a special part of your life?
Sure, we all enjoy the background tunes in the car, at a cocktail party or in the department store. But, I'm talking about the moments, those life anchor-points where a song grips your heart and lays down its mark on your soul forever...
Amazingly, a song can impart a lasting memory that decades later can bring about a rebellious tear. Swarm your muscles with pulsating adrenalin. Dissolve stress and melt anxiety. Transport you to another time, another life. Bring you together with a soulmate. Rally your heart to the fight for the Nation. Unlock the creative genius within.
Music, when soft voices die
Vibrates in the memory -
~Percy Bysshe Shelley
Music can be a powerful mentor, and willing ally in your quest for legacy building.
Unchecked and without reflection, life reduces to a fast and furious carnival ride. And so we become less lucid of the most powerful and invigorating truths that surround us. The magic of music can hide from us, slipping beneath the surface of our human experience.
When was the last time a song gave you goosebumps? Left a lump in your throat? How long since you last sang out until your voice gave? Or you danced like your shoes were on fire?
Make the decision to reconnect. And you'll be amazed at the vitality and renewed joy in your life that music will bring.
Take a moment to make a list of the special and memorable times in your life where music made it's heavenly mark on you.
Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.
~Edward George Bulwer-Lytton
Grant your heirs the gift of music and you allow them to connect with life more than otherwise. You give them a gift that will help to inspire their own greater calling. Music will serve them well for many years.
If you've always wanted to play an instrument, or long ago put one down...pick up a new one! Think of the superb example you'll show your grandchild that learning is a life-long effort. Show them and remind yourself, that learning is truly the secret to maximizing the enjoyment of life.
Or embrace some new recorded music into your life. Tap into the energy and inspiration that music offers to drive your legacy-building efforts forward, and carry you through times of challenge.
Classics Stimulation
And, music offers a great gift in the now too. Research studies and observations by the worlds' wisest of men offer that music in effect, makes us smarter. Whether the listener is a newborn, toddler, and even an unborn child...music stimulates brain development. Yes, music even stimulates adult brain development too. (Though, at a slower pace, of course.)
When asked about his theory of relativity...
"It occurred to me by intuition...and music was the driving force behind that intuition. My discovery was the result of musical perception." - Albert Einstein
The young brain is a hungry sponge for stimulation. Feed it with positive & wonderful input.
Musical Toys
As with many of our greatest interests in life, the early seedlings began in the form of play. Children use play to try out new experiences and you never know from which of these activities passions may ignite. The life experience of a child is a period of wondrous, timeless adventure. It's a story that can turn in thousands of directions. Eager to learn and grow, their minds often seek to do it all. It's a process of experimentation.
Help them tap into their musical self by making sure they have plenty of creative outlets to grow from. Help them understand the range of options and inspire them to love the process of trying out new things.
Activity Tip: Plan for a family music show after dinner. Arrange chairs for the audience and make a formal announcement to introduce the young musician to the stage. They'll love it!!
First Instruments
Your toddler has thrilled in the joy of their musical toys. Encourage their continued interest with their first "real" instruments. A first instrument adds a great degree of reality to the experience and is great fun for preschoolers & young children alike.
At this stage, it's still a great idea to encourage experimentation with different instruments. And, I don't means just your grandchild! I mean at your stage too. Life is not about playing one instrument for life. Try new things.
You are the music while the music lasts. ~T.S. Eliot
Is your grandchild musician bringing back warm memories of your own musical interests? Plan to take on a new musical hobby yourself, and shop for your own instrument today!
Congratulations! You've got a youngster connecting to music at this stage and are ready to upgrade them to their first premium instrument. An instrument not only makes an incredible gift...it's a great way to connect with your grandchild in a way that they will cherish forever.
Our partner supplier Woodwind & Brasswind offers an incredible selection of all band and orchestra instruments & accessories. Serving schoolkids to professional musicians, this site has more than your grandchild will ever need. Shop by brand, instrument type, or price range. Take a look for unheard of deals in their Outlet section for 75% off retail! And, every day Woodwind & Brasswind offers 1000's of instruments with FREE SHIPPING options! Now that's a tune we all love to hear.
Look no further. Woodwind & Brasswind offers an unconditional LOW PRICE GUARANTEE along with unmatched professional expertise. Staffed by musicians who can answer all your questions.
MP3 Players
You've seen the white earphones. They've crept into every day life. Drive through any college town and you'll see nearly 1 out of 3 kids with them. In my work travels, I've marveled at spotting them all over the world. From the parks of Munich to the streets of Seattle. Once on a Tokyo train, I spotted a very senior man in a business suit wearing them too!
My wife has them, and I'll be picking up my own soon too. The Apple Ipod has created a movement of today's youth to pick up music in a cool, new format. And the buzz is quickly spreading into the older generations now too.
I remember how the Sony Walkman from the 1980's inspired the kids in my generation. The portability & idea of a personal headset was intriguing...not to mention, cool. Today, not only are the MP3 players ultra-portable, but with today's technology you can store literally thousands of songs in a super-light device, and on many players, video too!
Songs can be quickly converted from CD collections onto the MP3 player or purchased online in an instant. Though the Ipod is the industry leader, other models are gaining ground. Sansa is another leading brand.
Catch up to the power of the MP3 innovation for yourself. Or, plan one for a grandchild gift to encourage their connection to music. There's no doubt this gift will be a hit!
Project Tip: Stack your own Ipod with music from Legacy Inspirations, and even content from the Brain Train section of Create your Legacy. You'll then have a portable, personal life coach to rocket your way to Legacy success!!
Looking for more options? Follow this link for a broad selection of MP3 Players.
Childrens Music
Here you'll find a selection of popular children's music int he form of CDs and also MP3 songs. If you've chosen an Apple Ipod or other MP3 player for your grandchild, help them "stock" it with music from these instant downloads. Or convert existing CDs over to the MP3 player. It will make for a fun and easy project to do together!
Popular CD selections...
Popular Childrens MP3 selections...
Looking for more choices? Follow this link for a broad selection of Childrens' Music.
Another unique option is to consider a special collection of music that's customized for your grandchild. Children love hearing their name in the songs. And it's so contagious you'll find yourself singing along with it in no time! Check out several Personalized Children's Music CD's and gifts to choose from.
Legacy Inspirations
Borrowed my wife's Ipod the other day for a long, 10-mile run. Usually, I run without any music, but to avoid boredom, I wanted to bring something new to my training routine. I set the player to shuffle through her customized song selection as I pumped out the miles. As with any run, my mind relaxes a couple miles in, and I found myself focusing in on the song lyrics.
Songs I had heard dozens of times before suddenly popped into my greater consciousness. I started to identify with the artists, and nearly felt as though they were there, running with me. Pushing me along. My energy was higher than normal, and I found myself sprinting during the climaxes of several songs. And, then an observation stuck me...
My wife's song collection had a definitive theme!
Each song had inspirationally grounded messages. Stories of climbing mountains. Pushing forwad through life's struggles. Of taking risks, chances. Making changes.
In the song collection was echoed all the key secrets that true personal success requires. The will to win. And, knowing yourself. Have a goal. Don't give up. Try again. All key elements in creating a legacy.
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. ~Confucius
What a great tool to keep your spirits high and renew your efforts! And keep you running in that 10th mile when most people have quit. Music is powerful...put it to work for you. Here are some inspirational selections, including many right from my wife's Ipod collection! Compile your own power-house of inspiration...
