We want to wish all of our readers a Happy and Healthy New Year! Remember to start your New Year right by listening to Classical music which has the power to make you smarter, help you work faster with more accuracy, improves health and healing, grows healthier plants in fewer days, increases sales in stores, and can prevent crime. If school cafeterias and school buses played Classical Music, the students would be calmer and more focused without violent tendencies. Many of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, teachers, authors and mathematicians have studied and played musical instruments since they were children. These eminent individuals have integrated music into their thinking process. Music is a powerful tool for motivating, inspiring, educating and soothing pain.
Our article of the month for January 2013: “A 60 Minute Vacation for $5: The Benefits of Letting Go of Your Frustrations” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Our blog features President George Washington the first American President, “Father of his Country”, General of the Continental Army, surveyor of land, farmer, husband, step-father, step -grandfather and musician.
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Augustine Washington, a planter and his second wife Mary Ball Washington. George was the oldest of their six children. His father, Augustine Washington and his first wife, Jane Butler Washington had three children, two sons and a daughter, when Jane passed away.
At the age of six, in 1738, George’s family moved to Ferry Farm near the Rappahannock River by Fredericksburg, Virginia. He first met his older half-brother Lawrence, during this time. Lawrence had returned from school in England and was 20 years of age, 14 years older than George. Lawrence was highly intelligent, very kind and he and George became exceptionally fond of each other. Lawrence enlisted in the colonial regiment to serve “with the British Navy, which was fighting the Spanish in the Caribbean. His new officers uniform was very impressive” and had “brass buttons and a cocked hat.” Krensky, S. (1991). George Washington the man who would not be King. New York: Scholastic Inc. pp.4-5.
George attended school at a one room school house. He rode 10 miles to attend a school that taught many children of different ages. By the age of seven he had learned to read and write. His favorite subject was arithmetic. At a young age, George learned to play the flute. He loved music and continued to play his flute throughout his life. As a Colonial child, George was expected to behave as an adult. He had big feet and large hands and felt awkward around people. He was of a serious nature, proper, honorable and virtuous.
At the age of 11, in 1742, George’s father Augustine Washington died. His older half-brothers had been sent to England to be educated but George’s mother decided to keep George in Virginia.
George’s older half-brother Laurence inherited Little Hunting Creek Plantation later called “Mount Vernon” and George became his ward. Lawrence married Anne Fairfax, of the powerful Fairfax family and saw to George’s education.
He studied geography, the English classics, Latin and mathematics with the church sexton school master and learned about growing crops and raising stock from the plantation foreman in his early teens.
George worked on his penmanship, writing with a quill pen, by transcribing the “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation”. These “rules” taught him the proper way to behave in public as a gentleman.
Lawrence encouraged George to become a surveyor and at 16 years of age in 1748 he “traveled with a surveying party plotting land in Virginia’s western territory. The following year, aided by Lord Fairfax, Washington received an appointment as official surveyor of Culpeper County.” George continued this assignment for two years learning about the value of land and colonization.
http://www.biography.com/people/george-washington-9524786?page=2
As an adult, George Washington grew to be 6 foot three inches tall had a commanding presence, was extremely strong, was a natural leader, showed courtesy, and good manners.
To George his “reputation was everything to him. It had to do with his strength, his size, his courage, his horsemanship, his precise dress, his thorough mind, his manners, his compassion. He protected that reputation at any cost.” Kunhardt, P, Jr. & Kunhardt, P. III & Kunhardt P. (1999). The American President. New York:Penguin Putnam Inc. p.6
George travelled in 1751 to Barbados with his brother Lawrence, who had tuberculosis, hoping “the climate would be beneficial to Laurence’s health.” While on the trip George “contracted smallpox, which left his face slightly scarred, but immunized him to exposures to the dreaded disease.” They returned to Mount Vernon where Lawrence Washington died of tuberculosis in July 1752. Two months later Lawrence’s child, Sarah, dies leaving George Washington, at 20 years of age, as his heir.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington
George overtime increased his landholding to 8,000 acres, was proud of Mount Vernon and thought of farming as an “honorable profession.”
Beginning of George Washington’s Military Career & Leadership:
Robert Dinwiddie, Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor appointed George, after Lawrence Washington’s death, to the Virginia militia with the rank of Major. The French were trying to claim land belonging to the British in Fort LeBoeuf, now Waterford, Pennsylvania. Major George Washington was sent to ask the French to leave on October 31, 1753. The French refused and Major Washington quickly returned to Williamsburg, Virginia, the Colonial capital. Lt. Governor Dinwiddie sent him back with troops to “set up a post at Great Meadow.” Washington’s forces attacked the French post killing 10 French soldiers including the Commander and the rest of their French soldiers were taken prisoner. This was the beginning of the French and Indian War.
In 1755 in Virginia, Washington joined British General Braddock’s army and had the honorary title of Colonel. In this disastrous mission General Braddock was fatefully injured and Washington had “two horses shot from under him and four bullet holes in his coat” escaping injury. Fighting bravely Washington brought the army back to safety.
George Washington was made Commander of all Virginia troops in August 1755 at the age of 23 and “sent to the frontier to patrol and protect nearly 400 miles of border with some 700 ill-disciplined colonial troops and a Virginia colonial legislature unwilling to support him.”
http://www.ask.com/wiki/George_Washington
In 1757, ill with dysentery George was sent home. In 1758 he was sent on another mission for the Virginia regiment and retired in December from the military to become a planter at Mount Vernon. George Washington was elected in 1758 to the Virginia House of Burgesses
George Washington married a widow, Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759 and they raised her two small children, John and Martha, called “Jackie” and “Patsy” together. Later they would also raise Martha Washington’s two grandchildren.
George’s two favorite passions were hunting and music. He enjoyed playing duets on his flute with his step- granddaughter at the piano.
Through working with the British military, what valuable insights did George Washington learn that would help him during the Revolutionary War?
George Washington learned what the British military strengths and weaknesses were and how “to organize, train, drill, and discipline his companies and regiments. From his observations, readings and conversations with professional officers, he learned the basics of battlefield tactics, as well as a good understanding of problems of organization and logistics. He gained an understanding of overall strategy, especially in locating strategic geographical points.”
http://www.ask.com/wiki/George_Washington
While working with the British, George Washington “demonstrated his toughness and courage in the most difficult situations, including disasters and retreats. He developed a command presence—given his size, strength, stamina, and bravery in battle, he appeared to soldiers to be a natural leader and they followed him without question.”
http://www.ask.com/wiki/George_Washington
For 16 years he listened intently and observed in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Because of the goods being heavily taxed by British the Colonies were boycotting British goods. In April 1775, the Revolution broke out and George Washington, 43 years of age “reluctantly agreed to serve as commander-in –chief of the Continental Arm. He never considered himself a professional soldier, just a citizen defending his country.” Kunhardt, P, Jr. & Kunhardt, P. III & Kunhardt P. (1999). The American President. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc. p.6
Washington led his countrymen to fight even when it seemed hopeless. His soldiers fought with little food and ill-fitting clothing. Washington stayed by his soldier’s side, attended to them, “respected and cared about them” sharing “their severe hardships” through 8 years of fighting. Kunhardt, P, Jr. & Kunhardt, P. III & Kunhardt P. 1999, p.8
George Washington said to his men, “My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than could be reasonably expected, but your country is at stake: your wives, your houses, and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigue and hardships, but we know not how to spare you.”
The final crisis was at the war’s end when his soldiers had gone without pay for 6 years and Congress was almost bankrupt.
George Washington wrote to Congress, “If retiring from the field they are to grow old in poverty, then I shall have learned what ingratitude is.”
One of Washington’s soldiers Colonel Lewis Nicola wrote to George Washington that “he was fed up with the money situation. He suggested that perhaps the country would be better off if Washington became king.” Washington “was committed to the establishment of a free republic.” Krensky, S. (1991). George Washington the man who would not be King. New York: Scholastic Inc. p.76 .
In 1783, Washington returned his commission as Commander in Chief to the head of Congress and went home to Mount Vernon. He was asked in 1787, 4 years later, to preside over the “Constitutional Convention” where the new “Constitution” was written and approved by nine of the thirteen states as the “law of the land”.
The unanimous choice for President by the Electoral College on February 4, 1789 was George Washington. He was sworn in as the First President on April 30, 1789 at 57 years of age in New York City at Federal Hall on its balcony.
On a recent PBS documentary it was said that “when George Washington walked into a room, there was a hush.” He stood 6 foot 3 inches tall commanding attention, making an excellent first impression on all who met him.
George Washington had a passion for agriculture. He discovered new ways to grow crops. The King of Spain sent him a Jackass to America and he found new ways to breed animals.
George Washington died in his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia on December 14, 1799. Henry Lee, Governor of Virginia said, “Washington truly was “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
Dr. Madeline Frank’s Musical One Minute Radio Show for January 2013:
How did Classical music play a part of President George Washington’s life and what musical instrument did he play?
https://madelinefrankviola.com/madelines-one-minute-radio-show/
“A 60 Minute Vacation for $5: The Benefits of Letting Go of Your Frustrations” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Where can you go for a $5 vacation for an hour of relaxation? Do you ever need to blow off steam after work?
Picture this: It is a beautiful sunny day and the temperature outside is 70 degrees. You and I have just arrived by car with our hats, sun tan lotion, and sun glasses at the local Golf Range on Mercury Blvd in Hampton, Virginia.
We travel up the steps with our golf club and purchase a bucket of 70 golf balls for $5. Then we pick a spot on the beautiful grassy green field and see in front of us a sign for 50 yards, 100 yards, 150 yards, 200 yards and 250 yards.
You and I are now standing in position holding our golf clubs. We each put our golf ball on the tee and picture, on the golf ball, the person who has given us the hardest time today. You and I are in position to swing and drive that golf ball as far as we can out into the field letting our frustrations flow out into the field.
The object is to hit that golf ball as far as you possibly can 50 yards, 100 yards, 150 yards, 200 yards, etc. Each time you hit the golf ball you will release more frustration out into the field.
After your first swing you feel the weight of the world beginning to lift off of your shoulders. With each swing you take, you feel a little bit better. Each swing can represent as many or as few people as you would like. You can have a whole cast of characters that way you have a full healthy psychological outcome by the end of the hour.
We get ready to take our second swing. You and I are each picturing another person on our golf ball that has raised our frustration level today. We swing our golf club and hit the ball all the way out in the field leaving our frustrations out by the 100 yard marker. This second swing removes more of the weight of the world from our shoulders and removes more frustration from our body. We even begin to smile!
We get ready to take our third swing and picture another person on our golf ball who has made it a difficult and frustrating day. We swing our golf club and hit the ball even further into the field. Each time we hit the golf ball we leave more and more of our frustrations out into the field removing more of these frustrations from our body.
By the time you and I have hit our 70th golf ball we are feeling relaxed and ready for another day. Out in the field we have left all of our frustrations and we feel lighter and happier!
We all have frustrations and need mini vacations. So, the next time you are seeing smoke and you are feeling frustrated and angry, drive on down to a driving range near you and have your mini vacation for $5. After an hour you too, will feel rested and relaxed once again. (2012) Madeline Frank If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: [email protected]
http://goo.gl/OYj1M
For more articles by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.”: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Madeline_Frank
Dr. Madeline Frank’s book “Leadership on a Shoestring Budget” is now available through amazon.com. Click on the following Amazon.com link to order your copy of “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget”
For more scientific evidence, medical evidence, test results, and true stories of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, and mathematicians who have studied and played musical instruments since they were children read “The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. Click on the link:
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/the-secret-of-teaching-science-and-math-through-music/
“Madeline’s Midnight Melodies- Music From around the World” . This CD complements her books with a blend of dance music, gigues, tangos, ballet and favorites including “Danny Boy”, Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, Debussy’s “Claire De Lune” and others. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” is music to relax by and to move by for music therapy. Click here for Madeline Frank’s extended biography, reviews, and excerpts of “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” . For your CD of “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” click below:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mfrankviola
“Musical Notes On Math” by Dr. Madeline Frank teaches your child fractions and decimals, the fun way, through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent To Parent Adding Wisdom Award. For more information click on the following link:
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/musical-notes-on-math/