Tag Archives: Tchaikovsky

Giving Thanks Always

 

I share a video with you today.   It is a “flashwaltz” which happened, where else, in a hospital (after all, this is a health blog) .

Music students played The Waltz of the Flowers from

The Nutcracker by 

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky at the

Hadassah Medical Center Hospital.

 

 

As we in the United States celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s remember people who can’t celebrate at home with their friends and family-

  • people in hospitals and nursing homes
  • those serving in the military
  • those who work today to keep the rest of us safe- police, firefighters, medical professionals, transportation workers

The Waltz of the Flowers by the Boston Pops is available at Amazon

(this blog earns a small commission if you purchase from this link)

 

Enjoy this thoughtful perspective  on Thanksgiving from A Country Doctor

Another Thanksgiving Reflection

a log church in the woods

a historic rural church in Georgia

 

 

I’d be pleased for you to share this with family and friends

and follow Watercress Words.

 

 

 

 

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After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, don’t forget your favorite charity or non-profit organization on Giving Tuesday. 

a heart representing Giving Tuesday

 

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the word THANKS on a log

Giving Thanks

 

I share a video with you this week.  It is a “flashwaltz” which happened, where else, in a hospital (after all, this is a health blog) .

Music students played The Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky at the Hadassah Hospital.

 

 

As we in the United States celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s remember people who can’t celebrate at home with their friends and family-

  • people in hospitals and nursing homes
  • those serving in the military
  • those who work today to keep the rest of us safe- police, firefighters, medical professionals, transportation workers

The Waltz of the Flowers by the Boston Pops is available at Amazon

(this blog earns a small commission if you purchase from this link)

"faith, hope, love"

Weekend Words from the Book of Esther

(This post contains affiliate links, links which pay a commission for sales made with its use)

A surprise flashmob

Social media created the concept of  “flash mobs” although I haven’t seen as many of them posted lately. This one from 2013 is still my favorite.

I guess surprise is characteristic of a  flashmob, but this one  happened in an unexpected place-a hospital-and illustrates what this blog is all about-exploring and promoting the heart of health.

The story of Esther

The Hadassah Hospital  in Jerusalem is named for an Old Testament character, Hadassah, whose name was later changed to Esther. Among the 66 books in the Bible,  Esther is one of only two books named for women; the other is Ruth.

The story of Esther is one of the epic dramas of the Bible, full of intrigue, conflict, conspiracy, danger,risk, betrayal, discrimination and ultimate justice. As the Queen of Persia, Esther faced the choice of risking her life to save others.  The story is so engaging that it has been dramatized in movies. (There is even a Veggie Tales version.)

You can read the whole story here- The Book of Esther 

 

 

The music in the video is  The Waltz of the Flowers  by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky . If you’ve ever attended a performance of The Nutcracker during the Christmas season, you will recognize it. 

 

 

 

I love the way this performance brought  people together- the musicians, dancers, visitors, hospital staff and  patients. You can feel the joy they created in a place that always needs it. I’m sure you can tell that some of the patients seen here are seriously ill. Perhaps they felt a sense of hope and peace and for a few moments forgot the reason they were there. Music can be therapeutic and I believe it was that day.

 

Music as medicine from the American Psychological Association

 

 

Weekend words is a regular feature of watercress words. At the end of the work week we take a break from exploring strictly medical topics to read words of faith, hope and love from the Bible and other carefully selected sources.

Disclosure:

This blog gains no financial benefit from  any charitable organization mentioned here. I recommend you investigate before donating anywhere. Affiliate links will be identified.

Blogging and waltzing- my new life

When I started this blog 6 months ago I knew next to nothing about blogging. Now I know about twice that much! 🙂 Not that I  haven’t learned anything; quite the contrary, I had no idea how much there is to know . Blogging is much like practicing medicine-there is always something different or new to learn. It is an enjoyable challenge.

The  most important thing I have learned is a blog needs two basic things- a writer and a reader. Today I want to thank you , my readers, for making this possible. Whether you have been with me from day 1, or this is your first time to visit, I appreciate your interest and hope that you leave this blog richer than you came.

As my thank you “gift” , I am sharing my favorite flashmob video. It is a “flashwaltz” which happened, where else? in a hospital (after all, this is a health blog) . Music students played The Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky at the Hadassah Hospital.

This is a Viennese waltz, with a meter of 6/8 timing rather than the 3/4 timing of slow waltz ; being so fast, it is difficult to learn and I did not think I could do it. But my dance instructor Stefan told me I could do it, so with his patient instruction and encouragement I tried; to my surprise he was right. There is something almost magical about twirling around the floor to beautiful classical music and now it’s one of my favorite dances.

Listen, watch, dance, and enjoy. Thank you.

Stefan and I at a dance competition.

Stefan and I at a dance competition where we competed in Viennese waltz

The Waltz of the Flowers by the Boston Pops is available at Amazon (this blog earns a small commission if you purchase from this link)