The pictures above are of the seedling of a mighty tree. It is growing in a hole in the sidewalk, and you can tell by the tattered leaves, it’s growth has caused it to be stepped upon. Have others noticed it? Perhaps, but for those stepping on it, probably not.

Its size potential I’m sure is mighty, but will it be able to survive in the hole and grow to what it was meant to be? It’s doubtful because of where it is located. I cannot help but feel sad for it. So what can I do to give it meaning (besides trying to transplant it)? I pondered that question (after all, it is my hashtag #MelodysEyes). What possible message can this tree have for others whether it survives or not?

How about this message perspective….

Most of us have heard the term “Glass Ceiling” in business. The phrase was meant to bring awareness to unfair practices of holding people down, denying them advancement. What is the true cost of the glass ceiling? It is the foot on the mighty. It prevents the beauty and magnificence they were born to be. Those under the “glass ceiling” have mighty potential or they wouldn’t be able to see the glass. Could there be a mighty tree in your company? We will never know the potential someone has until we stop limiting how they grow. Like the seedling in the picture, perhaps relocation is the only way it can grow.

Your environment

What is the environment you are a part of? Does everyone have room to grow or are there those putting their best efforts in to grow, but only being stepped upon in the pathway? Employer or employee, what are you a part of? Are you proud of what it stands for, not just for yourself, but for those around you?

That is the type of conversations that are needed and actions to observe. Do you see those working hard being passed over time and time again? We need to start to notice and question and be a part of that change. Is there a reflection in your business, at any time, “we all know (so & so) deserved that promotion. If It keeps happening they are going to leave.”? A thought, a water-cooler conversation, those are things we need to pay attention to. Not an easy thing to recognize – but important. Sooner or later you might need to react with your own role.

What’s your character?

What kind of character do you have? If that unexpected promotion is offered to you, and deep down, you who know who truly deserved it, what would you do? Would you reflect on the benefits of it to your family and accept it, or would you be able to speak out and tell them why you are turning it down? That could even cause them to see, and become aware of an issue they never recognized. You will never know if you accept it. You will have to choose whether to listen to your soul and see what’s right, or your ego that keeps you in the safety of your own outcome. After all, couldn’t the company get upset if you turn it down?

What about them?

What if that person (a mighty tree in their own) gets stepped on (by you) and they decide to leave because of it? What wound would their absence create in your work environment? Could it even hurt your work because they are gone? Maybe they felt no choice but to look elsewhere to provide the benefits that position offered.

When it comes down to it, does your character allow you to step on someone else’s growth when you know they are trying? That is all on you.

If we all look beyond our own spot and help each other, we become the business family that inspires others. Notice them. It’s the first step to change.

Written by Melody Belliveau

The meanings…

The meaning of Memorial Day has a tendency to mean a wide variety of things to different people, from a day off from school or work (sometimes with pay), or a family barb-a-cue planned with the symbol of the beginning of the Summer season. Although these things may very well be accurate, there is a meaning, the true meaning, that must never be forgotten. Sacrifices have been made by many that we seem to take for granted. They deserve our recognition and respect for all they gave up.

The souls…

It is the Military Soldiers that gave up their lives to serve. They are the true soul of our country. The biggest sacrifice one can give is their life for others and that is what they did. They must never be forgotten. May their souls soar high.

Who they were to others…

It is the spouses of those who’ve given all that are left behind with families to raise and nights alone without them, that now has no happy ending. They must go on with a hollow pain in their chest while they remain strong for their children. Their sacrifice is felt everyday, not just Memorial Day.

It is their service buddies that have managed to return only to find that life will never be the same. Many live with survivors guilt that tears away at the very fabric of their souls. Services they need to live on, of both physical and mental health, are a never-ending struggle to obtain. They are the forgotten and disrespected living among us, unable to understand why.

It is the parents of the fallen that feel the void with every breath they take. No matter what age they were, they were the child they loved. It is a scar on their soul that will be felt until their last breath. It is a pain that can only be accepted, but never erased.

It is the brothers and sisters who see them in the eyes of their children, wishing they could have been there to celebrate the milestones, to enjoy the get-togethers of family celebrations. The heartfelt conversations they now must have sitting by their gravesite instead.

It is the children who mourn the loss of their parent. Never able to seek their advice on life, especially during the difficult challenges they face. They will never see the nod of approval when they accomplish something that stirs feelings of pride. Those tears will remain with them through the many stages of their lives.

The friends who anxiously await their return to fill them in on things they used to chat about that will now only have a reflection of their memories and the last hugs they gave them before their departure.

Those are the ones who are the true meaning of Memorial Day and many will spend it with some time at the gravesite to pay their respects as a way to connect. Where they visit, coins are left on the headstones.

Penny – from those who stopped by to pay their respects

Nickle – from those who attended boot camp with them

Dime – from those who served in the Armed Forces with them

Quarter – from those who were with them when they were killed

So while you take the day to do your celebrating, please take some time reflecting on the Heroes of the true meaning and I urge you to take some time to visit a Soldiers grave and leave a penny and a prayer. Let’s show those left behind the respect of that reflection. My prayer is that every Soldier have a penny left behind on their stone. If you see other silver coins, don’t disturb them but rather say an added prayer for the one who left it.

They matter, every one of them. One of the worst sayings is a Soldier dies twice – one with their sacrifice, and again when they are forgotten. We must not forget them.

Celebrate today, but celebrate the life they gave for everyone. If you know someone who feels this day for who they lost, reach out to them, and let them know they matter.

Written by Melody Belliveau

You notice others

For those of you who feel like little people deep inside and can’t shake the feeling of being insignificant; you matter and I’ll tell you why. You see people. You see souls and can relate. You are the ones who stand out in your own way. It doesn’t matter what your station is in life because you are spread from top to bottom. We’ve all heard the compliment, “He (or she) was so great to meet! He is such a down-to-earth regular guy!” You see each other and you make each other feel it.

Not overlooked

No matter where, shine your light and those who are meant to notice you will. In the 3 pictures, there are 2 beautiful flowers that obviously didn’t care where they were, they shined their beauty. They were not planted and they were not given the best, but it didn’t take away from their beauty.

They are tiny and easy to overlook. But they were noticed, and now, 2 small flowers in the curb are being seen by many (hopefully). I believe that in itself makes them significant, simply by being what they are.

See the beauty in yourself

You need to believe it yourself, deep in your soul and grow beyond the limits of your environment. Find a way to become the you that you were meant to be. You have your own beauty, find a way to own it. You matter more than you know.

Written by Melody Belliveau

The Verdict

Today was an important day, not only for the United States, but for the world as well. A man (whether you think he was walking the wrong path in life or not) was given justice in his death that meant much to many. Perhaps that was his purpose in life, beyond the mortality of it, and as a point, because of it.

His Destiny

His destiny, created a unity and a change that parallels Martin Luther King Jr. Our circumstances do not negate the fact that we all have a purpose. You can look down on George Floyd if you choose. It does not change the impact of his life. This jury chose to show the world EVERY black life matters. By doing so, they chose right from wrong not blue verses black. Our constitution was adopted on Everyone, not just a selected few. It is incoherent that there is a mind set that not every soul does.

Look at the right and wrong of the actions nothing more because that is all we have in this. This is what destiny of change looks like. It is the bigger picture and anyone who minimizes what this means, minimizes the impact. Even Derek Chauvin in his wrongs did much for equality, even if simply to emphasize the traumatizing lack of it.

Our Divide

The unrest, divide, and anger is growing, not only in our country, but around the world. We as “humankind” hold the control……Be…..Kind…… It’s in our united race.

There isn’t a race or label out there that doesn’t have a soul and a purpose. Using the examples of wrong can create an impact of right, but only, by our choice of actions. We need to treat others like they matter, because they do.

Written By Melody Belliveau

Easter weekend is filled with celebrations and posts of both spiritual depth and the Easter bunny and decorated eggs. It is a time of family traditions…..

The loss

Then there are those who’s weekend was cut to the core with loss. They feel the gaping wound to their soul and a heaviness of heart that is just as physical as it is emotional. It is an unbearable pain we have no choice but to bear. The pain is equal the depth of love and that is a testament of honor to them.

Monday mornings can be especially hard going back to a routine when all you want to do is shout and cry. Holding it all in to function is a mighty task and can even lead to physical crisis or even your loss. More heart attacks happen on Monday mornings than any other time, but after a holiday of people celebrating and asking out of politeness about yours can be overwhelming.

Self care

It is a time to remind you that you matter and you need to practice extra presence of self care at this time. You need to feel your breathing with intentional awareness, even when each breath is painful all the way up to your throat. Take deliberate time, even in small increments to feel the emotions that wash over you. Take solitude when you can, and reflect on the love that although physically gone, is a source of love’s energy as long as you choose it to be. Allow both for healthy mourning, for without it, healing is stalled and your physical body will feel like a dam with cracks along it. Choose to guide the thoughts through, both good and bad and slowly savor the the precious memories as they walk through and tarry there.

The Blessing

Remember, they Blessed you with the love that they could for the time they were given, and an energy of them is infused in your heart and has been, since the first time you felt them “touch your heart”. Use it to reach towards the light they saw in you. It can help you through the heavy broken darkness, and will comfort your soul.

Apollo, my furry baby boy

Given that “it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved”, I would not have traded this pain for one minute of the love we shared. You will always be in my heart, Apollo. You were my furry baby boy and I thank you for showing me you felt it too … every … single … day. I will go on and make you proud. Even without you here physically, my heart’s beating must go on for both of us now. May your spirit soar high. I will always love you.

Written by Melody Belliveau