First, the pandemic. Now, the war in Ukraine. As we go about our day, the undercurrent of feelings within us might be a combination of heartbreak, exhaustion, confusion, horror, fear, anger, joy, wonder, curiosity, trust, faith, empowerment, strength and courage. Each feeling dovetails or collides. If we allow the negative feelings dominate our days and nights, the ability to find and feel the simple joys in life disappears, wellness dwindles, and hope evaporates.

Here are six quiet actions steps that invite moments of inner peace and hope even during turbulent times. Especially then.

• Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Using the 4-7-8 method, inhale slowly for 4; Hold your breath for 7; exhale for 8.
• Add two power words. While implementing the 4-7-8 technique, think two power words. For example: As you inhale for the count of 4 and hold for the count of 7, think the word, “world” and as you exhale for the count of 8, think the word, “peace.” As you think these two power words, visualize “world peace.” What could it look like? Feel like? Sound like? What other positive power words can you think of as you breathe?
• Thought Transference. Call upon the gift of “thought transference.” This method requires your unbridled imagination. Visualize peace, love and hope for yourself, for others, and for our world. Focus your spiritual lens on anyone who is enduring suffering and linger there. Send concentrated healing prayers of strength, healing and love.
• Quiet Action Step Video I. Watch this meaningful video and say this prayer and pledge along with me: “The Peace Begins with Me Prayer.” Here is the link: https://vimeo.com/684987069
• Quiet Action Step Video II. Watch “The Metta Meditation of Loving Kindness” video and say this prayer along with me. In this heart-centered video, I ring my chakra crystal healing bowl as well as my Tibetan bowl and guide you into a 2500-year-old powerful prayer of peace, love, kindness and hope. Here is the link: https://vimeo.com/685024925
• Keep hope alive. I leave you with a final action step. Absorb all the hope within the poem, “My Dream for Peace” and join me in imagining that those who have the power to destroy the world suddenly feel a transformational shift in their hearts to save the world. If you enjoy creative and spiritual activities, use my poem as a catalyst for expressing you own “dream for peace.”

My Dream for Peace ©
Cheryl Melody Baskin

Imagine: A day will come when those who have the power to destroy the world suddenly feel a transformational shift in their hearts to save the world.

Believe: A day will come when every heart on earth opens to the healing energy of love, kindness, compassion, empathy, diversity celebration and peace.

Dream: A day will come when no one is ever judged again based on their color, race, religion, creed, nationality, gender, age, ability, social status or sexual orientation.

Trust: A Day will come when we see each other through the warm eyes of love.

Rejoice: A day will come when the Statue of Liberty stands tall once again and greets all humanity back to its shores with love.

Envision: A day will come when the world chooses to cooperate, collaborate, and do what is best for the well-being of the collective whole.

Care: A day will come when we realize how important it is to stop our busy lives and listen to each other’s feelings, thoughts and life experiences without judgment. We will simply listen from a place of love.

Visualize: A day will come when conflicts are resolved through nonviolent solutions, empathic listening, common ground compromise, and the healing power of love.

Celebrate: A day will come when a healing light shines through and around mother earth and the whole world makes a conscious decision to stand for love, unity, justice, equality and peace.