We are living through painstaking life challenges. We are also experiencing the possibility of shifting permanently towards personal and planetary healing and love. Each day, we learn the deeper meaning of the words, “unconditional love, trust, activism, truth, prayer, possibility, faith, forgiveness, respect, inclusion, empathy and compassion.” As we continue to live with the impact of COVID-19, the brutal murder of George Floyd and all those who came before him, poverty, racism, white privilege, Reverend Sharpton’s powerful message, “get your knee off our necks,” Black Lives Matter and multicultural peace protests, rubber bullets, tear gassing, looting, police officers on bended knee along with protestors, police brutality, and then the action of Mayor Bowser courageously painting BLACK LIVES MATTER on 16th Street NW … we remain steadfast in the possibility towards lasting positive change. As I write down each of these intense moments, I am overwhelmed with the ebb and flow of my own emotions and perhaps you feel overwhelmed, too. It’s to be expected. We are coming face to face with the good, bad and ugly within ourselves and with each other.

Because I have had the vision towards one community of love and peace my entire life, I continue to believe in the power of people to shift, grow and change, no matter how they conducted their lives moments before. We are living through a collective turning point that will serve as a compass for the trajectory of all our lives, and it is a moment in which we can taste positive change in the air. It is also a time that feels overwhelming. As an intuitive life coach, there are inner growth tools that may help you navigate your minute-by-minute changeable emotions while remaining solidly grounded, balanced and emotionally elastic. As we continue this journey of truth, change and hope…

Breathe and remain grounded. George Floyd was not allowed to breathe. His cry out loud to breathe is a call to our souls of the importance of this basic need. When we ourselves are anxious, our breath becomes shallow and we lose connection to our body. To maintain your chi or energy, it is vital to remain grounded and mindful of your breath. As you go through your day, consciously place both feet solidly on the ground and sense the energy of the earth supporting you. Feel the energy moving from the bottoms of your feet all the way up towards the crown of your head. Then, either standing or sitting, close your eyes and with your feet firmly planted on ground, inhale and exhale slowly. As you inhale and exhale, feel yourself inside every moment of every breath, and notice the space between each breath. As you become aware of each space between breaths, mindfully relax your body even more. Unclench your jaw and teeth, relax your neck and shoulders, unfurl your eyebrows, and continue to breathe. Breathe for yourself, breathe for all those who can no longer breathe, and breathe for the healing of our planet. Be present in this moment. Here. Now. This. Most of all, breathe in renewed energy, hope and miracles.

The healing power of words. Words matter and contain a palatable energy. As an author and songwriter, I am conscious of the power of each word that we think, sing, say, write and feel. In my daily life, I create and use positive affirmations to help me offset the unhelpful voices in my head. Here are examples of positive affirmations that are written in the present tense, as if they are already true and happening now.

“I have the will and the strength to get through this.”

“Love is my only path.”

“I have the power to change.”

“I am courageous, determined and strong.”

“I speak my truth with clarity, strength and love.”

“I heal myself and send healing to others.”

“I am my breath. I am love. I am enough. I am”

Visualization. This “healing from inside-out” approach works on your subconscious mind. Do you remember your ability to pretend, dream and imagine when you were younger? Return to the dreamer inside you now. Visualize healing, mutual understanding, peaceful conflict-resolution and possibility. What does it look like? What words do you hear and what actions do you see? Imagine possibility and feel it pumping through every one of your cells. Dream new dreams for yourself. Dream new dreams for all humankind.

With every thought, feeling and interaction, visualize a new world of love, peace and hope.

The healing medicine of nature. Uplift your spirit by taking slow sensory walks. Hear the birds, stand still and fall in love with a beautiful flower, hear the ocean waves in your mind’s eye or in real time, and look up at the unlimited expanse of the sky. Looking up at the sky will help you straighten your posture and pump the spirit of dreams and hope into your body, mind and spirit.

Humanity 101 List. We have many activities on our to-do list, but how about taking time to create a Humanity 101 list that returns us back to the basics of what it means to step into the highest version of ourselves? This list tap

s into the softer and more meaningful side of life. As you form your own list, here are a few ideas to inspire you ….

Love. Remember that all paths can lead to love.

Reach out. Become a beacon of light, inspiration and hope.

Give. Give without any expectations.

Good vibes. Aim for optimism. Wherever you go, spread the power of love.

Feel. Keep your heart open.

Backbone. Stand in your truth. Speak up. Give yourself an empowered voice.

Help. Do whatever you can to make this world a better place.

People. Listen, uplift and inspire.

Forgive. Open your heart to the healing that forgiveness can bring.

Awaken. Stay awake, aware, conscious and fully present.

Open. Give people a chance. Learn from people who are different from you.

Visualize. Picture your life as you would like it to be and picture the world as you would like it to be. Believe.

It may feel as if we are living through the story of Job from the Old Testament of the Bible. Our sorrow, exhaustion and fear may torment us day and night. Throughout it all, stand tall in your resilience, determination, survival instincts, strength and courage, and know that life’s challenges are not only a test of fortitude, but can help us grow and change for the better. Use inner growth tools to help you maintain a sense of grounded energy while going through the emotions of darkness and light. While becoming an inspirational change-maker and light-worker, continue to work on healing yourself. Above all, never give up. Breath by breath, each of us makes a difference and we have the power to create a world that offers one heart of unconditional love.

In every moment, stand for love, be love and shine love.

About Cheryl Melody Baskin

Cheryl Melody Baskin (aka Melody) channels her boundless creative and spiritual energy into a variety of endeavors, from practicing healing arts -- including music and sound healing -- to serving as a motivational speaker, an educator, an intuitive life coach, workshop facilitator and musician. She is the author of Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams No Matter What (2019), Peace Begins with You and Me- A Musical Play with Life-Changing Messages for Every Generation (2020) and Shift of Heart - Paths to Healing in Love (2016). Follow her at: www.cherylmelody.com