We have a home office and when the weather is nice, I love to sit on the patio in the backyard for a few moments after lunch with my tea, catch some rays and listen to the birds.
This year a family of ravens moved in about a block away. 
Their caw is deeper and throatier than the crows who live about a block in the opposite direction.
The crows are definitely not impressed about the ravens barging into their neighbourhood and we are often treated to all kinds of caws – high, low, whiny, insistent, aggressive, rapid, slow and loud.
This afternoon, four ravens were flying circles around our house with about half a dozen crows chasing them. All this with quite a ruckus.
Then the flicker, who lives somewhere on our block, also decided to join in on the noise with its repetitive chirps. So did the robin who lives in a tree a few houses up the street.
The sparrows were quite happily chirping away in the bushes in our back yard, lining up and taking turns in the bird bath.
And there are usually gulls flying high overhead on their way to the dump for some fruitful foraging.
Quite an entertaining time while I enjoyed my tea.
Ok. So what does this have to do with sound or wellness?
For those people who live in an urban area – we live in a very noisy environment. Evidence from many recent studies shows how noise contributes to significant stress response in humans – actually also animals.
The bigger problem in all of this is that most people are totally unaware of how noisy their environment actually is.
Awareness is the first step to being able to understand the incredible effect any sound around you actually has on you. And to making changes in the sounds in your environment that support you.
Birdsong is one of the healthiest sounds the human being can listen to. Yes – even the raucous call of the crow or raven.
Becoming more aware of the sounds of the birds around you is a fabulous way to do a mindfulness meditation.
I do this every time I go for a walk. Listening to the types of sounds, seeing if I can recognize what kind of bird it is, the direction the birdsong is coming from, the kind of sound (that is high, low, loud, soft, sweet or raucous…) is fun and engaging. And I arrive back at home with my mind refreshed and focused.
A golden glow appeared and as it drew closer, turned into the most beautiful being I had ever seen. He/she (I couldn’t tell) sat down beside me and said, “I am Gabriel. I have come to help you with your next CD. It is to be called “Transmutation” and its intent is to transmute negative thought form energy.” 
What do you do when the emotional rollercoaster starts rocketing toward the bottom of the loop? What do you do when the CD or vocal sound you have been using creates an emotional reaction? This can show up in many ways and feel uncomfortable and uncontrollable. It can lead to crying that you can’t stop, unreasonable anger, mood swings and can be a little frightening.
I have always loved gardens – creating them, working in them and watching things grow. Wherever our family has lived, I have always planted roses. They are one of my favorite flowers and will grow pretty well anywhere in the world. 
For example, if I see an anthill built around the roots of a plant and the ants are stressing the plant or killing it, I will determine if the plant would like to survive. If it does, then I will sit near the anthill and connect with the deva of the ants, the nature spirits who work with them and the ants themselves. I will explain to them – either by talking out loud or thinking clearly – that the plant wishes to thrive and that their home is creating stress to the plant. I will respectfully ask the ants to move their anthill – respectfully, because moving an anthill is a huge effort for these little beings – and sometimes suggest another location in the garden or yard where they can go. They usually move and balance is restored.