P@RT1C!P@T!0N 1N OCCUP@T!0N TWO

So it continues...

This blog is a continuation of the Participation in Occupation One blog from last semester. Though this time around, I will talking about an occupation that I have great interest in.
My chosen occupation is: PLAYING THE GUITAR! :)

 What does playing the guitar really mean to me?

I have always had a great passion for music from all kinds of genres. It was something that allowed me to mellow out in my own comfortable space with some great tunes that will relax me. It was the perfect time for me to reflect on things. In learning the guitar, which I have been doing for the past 2 and a half years, I was able to feel like I really connect to this passion of mine, and it has become a great way for me to have time to myself, time to think, and is also a great social stimulant also, allowing the extreme opposites of solo time and social time within one hobby.

Personal experiences with my guitar (Mindfulness).

Playing the guitar requires me to have great concentration and the ability to repeat notes and chords over and over until I manage to get it right. This can take hours and hours of time to myself, taking me out of my current reality, where it's just me and my guitar.

Keys word that spring to mind when thinkging about playing the guitar:

-Relaxing
-Concentration
-Entertainment
-Leisure
-Musical
-Socialising
-Satisfaction
-Meaningful

Being an OT student, what does playing the guitar mean to me in terms of Occupation?

The guitar requires great dexterity in the hands and fingers, where the basis of playing the strings come from fine motor movement. The constant playing will help me exercise my fingers and keep my fine motor movements up to par

As a student, the ability to concentrate can be key, so I find that being able to concentrate for long periods of time to master a song is a good ability to have.

Meaningful occupations should be something a person enjoys to do, so I think I nailed it with choosing to learn the acoustic guitar because it makes me so happy to play and gives me a sense of great satisfaction. Its such a great tool for me to have time to myself, but it can also provide great entertainment for social gatherings, even if the singing along with the guitar playing isn't exactly on tone...

Reference #1
"Those who are occupied, people who are 'playing' are likely to be active, aroused, and full of life, commited, organised, structured, responsible, and have a vested interest in their surroundings. They are orientated, interested, motivated, concerned, attentive, involved, careful, heedful, attached, connected and enthusiastic", (Caulton, 1994)

I chose this reference, because it is perfect to outline how important occupying ourselves are, and what it can mean and create for an individual person. All of these identifying characters in the quote above outline how an occupation can make something evolve in a person, can shape who they are and how they are perceived, and perhaps how they want to be perceived. I feel like a part of me chose to play the guitar to show the world that I can learn something that's difficult, that I have talent, that I'm hard-working, passionate for music, motivated, attentive, commited to something I am passionate about. This reference from Caulton, I think, snapshots how an identity is formed through doing. Through occupation, we become who we are. I am a guitar player, and I love being that person and doing that occupation.

Reference List

Caulton, R. (1994). Occupation and healing: at home, at work, at play. Occupation Journal, Vol. 1, No.1.