Category: blog

The Walks of Awareness

June 8, 2025

I shared some of what I had been doing recently with a friend that he encouraged me to make a post about. It was a part of my journey in mental health healing and this picture showed him just how far I had come since I first heard his voice. May was Mental Health Awareness Month, so although I was planning to, the month rolled by without me doing it. Sometimes it’s procrastination, sometimes it’s the stuff on the plate that just doesn’t get touched, sometimes the Universe says wait. This was a combination of all three.

Sometimes suffering from mental health challenges like PTSD and Anxiety can keep us from stepping outside our comfort zone. But that’s where healing starts. The first time I met Peter, I was in a green room hyperventilating with fear, but I knew there was more in my future. I had no idea just how much at the time, or what it would be.

Now I speak out about my mental health journey. Every pancake in my “pancake pile of traumas” has become a powerful event instead. They have led me to my passion and purpose of sharing the reality that there is hope of healing. I’m living proof of that.

But May has gone by, and it is now PRIDE Month for the LGBTQ+ Community, which stands for Personal Rights In Defense and Education. A challenge of its own for people who just want to be valued for who they are. To not bend to the judgements of others, and simply be proud of who they are. So for them, it is a part of their mental health. The courage it takes to embrace your uniqueness and stand up and speak out to tell your story, is something that we need to encourage as a society, not condemn.

When June is over, their journey doesn’t end just because we’ve moved on to the next month’s title. No more that mental health awareness has for me. I’ve given keynote speeches to The Department of Mental Health, Congressmen and Senators. I’ve spoken up about the journey life has given to me to give hope to others, and I’ve only just begun.

The Pride Community will continue to bring awareness in June and, carry on the mission when it’s past. Embracing who we are is how we inspire and encourage others. And that is a beautiful thing.

So be curious, and listen to understand who they are, and what they go through. Because in some part of your life, you will ask the same of others. True connection can only be made when there is compassion and vulnerability on both sides. So do your part and be kind out there. “Just be kind out there!” as Peter Clarke often says.

Written by Melody Belliveau

Examining the Darkness ….

March 19, 2025

An amazing friend of mine gave me a shout-out on LinkedIn today on her 15 Minutes for Kindness audio room and encouraged people to check out my work. That became self-reflection time for me.

You see, with everything that’s going on in America, my mission of sharing the healing energy of Love, Light & Hope seems really mixed with a lot of “awareness” messages. Sounds better than “gloom & doom, doesn’t it? It’s been impossible to turn a blind eye for me.

Where do you stand?

The two sides are necessary, especially when we head down a road that will hold regrets for the suffering they cause. A “head’s up” will give people a chance to reflect on where they stand on a variety of personal values and beliefs. Not about a President, or a Dictator – that seems to be easy. But rather about the people – the ones that are affected, our neighbors, our friends, and our families. Those in our nursing homes, those hard-working families who fall off the cliff of rental prices, and those who need mental health care.

Will you turn a blind eye or be stirred enough to pick up a cause and fight for it? Do you share a message of care for others? We have issues that if we think about them through the lens of compassion, we can come up with some viable ideas, especially when we work together.

Working together …

An example I shared when the Black Lives Matter focus was on the forefront. It became a pick a side issue – Blacks or Police. That did nothing but divide. I support both – and that’s where the solutions lie, at the community level on up.

To the Police – you have foot patrol that know the people of the neighborhoods. You know some Black men and women that have earned the respect of the community. They are the leaders you need. To the Black community – you have Officers the neighborhood also respects, at least one would hope that is true. They are the leaders from the other side you need. Put them together as a task force of creating policies that work for the benefit of all. Integrity matters and much can be accomplished with it.

Every single issue we have has the people with lived experience that can come to the table and share ideas and value. You matter isn’t just a hashtag – you really do. That’s where the hope lies – that’s where the healing energy comes from, and love and light will prevail in that.

What’s your approach?

It’s all in the approach. Is it filled with integrity, or anger and anguish? You miss the insights when all you see is gloom and doom. The hard stuff needs to be seen and reflected on. That’s how we move forward for the betterment of all rather than the power of the few.

You really want to know what DEI is all about? Ask someone with lived experience. I can tell you firsthand. It’s something special, not shameful. It’s about recognizing the strength in those otherwise overlooked.

So, if you see something I share of “awareness” that tugs at your sense of injustice – reflect on it and see if you can use your lived experience to think outside-the-box with integrity for solutions. You just might matter more than you know, and you may yourself become that Beacon of Love, Light & Hope for others.

Written by Melody Belliveau

The Impact Our Legacy Leaves

February 27, 2025

A Tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg

Michelle Trachtenberg, the 39-year-old well known actress passed away yesterday, after a recent liver transplant. A talented actress from a young age, many remember her from a variety of roles she played. Many roles were pure entertainment and time away from the challenges of life. One role stood out for me that has not gotten the respect and attention it so deeply deserved, and is even left out of the articles written about her death. Maybe the title threw it off – Ice Princess.

Watchable under Disney+, one might assume it’s a young children’s movie, but that would be a wrong assumption. Michelle stars as Casey, the high school student whose journey takes her through her work to earn a Harvard Scholarship in Physics as it leads her into her true passion in life. It is truly an inspirational movie that could easily be used as a high school teaching class, discussing the insights and lessons of it from scene to scene.

It became a movie that holds a special place in my heart that exemplifies the message that with hard work and perseverance anything is possible. It also is an example of how, what we choose to do, can inspire those we never end up knowing we had an impact on. She never knew how much she impacted me, and no doubt many others.

Her last project has yet to be released, is a movie called Spyral, that comes out in June that focuses on a true-life story of the challenges families face of mental illness. A lived experience I can relate with all too well. Another choice Michelle made that will make an impact with her efforts.

We all leave a legacy when we leave this world behind – I’m grateful for the one Michelle chose to leave. May your soul soar high.

Written by Melody Belliveau

A Voice of the Allies …

February 3, 2025

I was so rattled by the news of the tariffs – not because of the money, the financial cost that will be felt by the most vulnerable, but because of the human connection part of it. I saw so many reactions to the news that reflected the same. Unrest accompanied me, as I turned in for the night. I was torn between sharing a light in the darkness of it all – and sharing my voice in standing up to the injustice. I fell asleep to a message that encouraged me to use my voice.

I found myself in a room of elder women, some unknown relatives, and none that I was familiar with, with the exception of my mother. They were all filled with anguish, heartbreak, sadness, and anger. We all had that in common.

I did not know why I was there, or even how I got there. But I felt the need to do something, say something, but I was too overwhelmed to do anything. My mother looked over at me and smiled with a pride I’ve not been familiar with. She pulled out a paper and handed it to me. I had the knowing that I had written it as a child of around 10 to 12 years old. (Weird because I started my writing passion in second grade, so it would fit.) I had written my life’s mission on it, and I needed it now. “I will use my voice and gift of writing for the good of others”. I smiled a knowing, that it’s true today. Were they my ancestors there to stand behind me? Perhaps they were. For the words must be said that draw our souls together, even when the pain is being felt. And although I awakened to find it was a dream, I realized the message that came from it was loud and clear.

So here it is to you …

Canada, Mexico, and China – we’re so sorry! President Trump does not speak for me and countless others. We see you as incredible neighbors, friends and family. You do matter to us.

Canada, the products are not even our biggest wound right now. It’s your wound from us. I know many of you from your good works and light you share with the world. Dorothyann Graham O’Dell – I cannot begin to tell you how much I admire you! You’re a woman of action, care and true compassion. You are a true Beacon of Light and it’s an honor to know you. Peter Clarke – there is no better example of kindness than yours. People matter is your biggest message (along with “Just be kind out there!”) and you have played a significant part in my growth and ultimately my healing. I am grateful for the gift of knowing you. These are just 2 examples of the many incredible Canadians who saw us as allies, there for each other. There are so many more who brighten the world.

Mexico, I have tasted the sweetest of fruit from my favorite grocery store, with labels that tells us it comes from you. But it’s more than just that. Perhaps someday soon, we will be ready to learn from you about your beliefs like we could from Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). I didn’t know it, but I had created my own Ofrendas in reverence to those I cared about who have passed. Someday I will hold a celebration for it in honor of your tradition.

China, yes, I have bought your products, and your clothes. I’ve bought them in places I didn’t expect them to be. Beautiful pottery that becomes favorite treasures have your name on the bottom. It doesn’t make them cheap, it makes them affordable. Many pieces of my professional attire comes from you, whether I buy them online or at local stores. You never know where your labels will pop up. But it’s more than just that. I’ve learned about Qi Gong, herbals, Reiki and meditation practices. I will never be able to learn all the ancient wisdoms your culture holds. I’ve always been drawn to it, and it was what I learned that saved my life. Where profits are concerned, our country exploited yours when they moved businesses there for cheaper labor and bigger profits. But the truth is, you have way more value than we credit you for.

Human Connection for our countries

Sometimes we need to talk to each other in raw honesty for true connection. Words from the heart with reverence and respect.

Please forgive us for the pain this may cause you. And we understand your need to respond with boundaries. Tariffs are not what’s at stake here – dignity and respect are. So do what you feel in your soul is the right thing but please don’t leave out compassion in your decisions.

Prayers for peace and connection, with the healing energy of Love, Light & Hope.

Written by Melody Belliveau

Look For the Gentle Souls ….

November 9, 2024

When a post went up in solidarity for those feeling defeated with the election results, I shared my feelings of heartbreak as well. A kind soul shared this in the comments and I thanked him for the comfort it brought, along with asking permission to quote him. These are the souls on both sides of the divide we need to be – and look for.

“One light shining in the darkness.

When democracy delivers there is no guarantee it will deliver for you.

Win or lose, victory or defeat, we must face each other with equanimity. It does not change that we must ourselves continue to act by simply doing what is right in the world, so that we are able to sleep at night, to wake with strength to face tomorrow’s injustices and continue to fight the good fight, without bringing ourselves into disrepute.

The next four years, perhaps more, will be difficult and challenging for the World with Donald Trump as President of the USA, but this too will pass.

Have courage, maintain resilience and a steady mind, because, more than ever, there still needs to be good works done in the world.

Don’t despair, you can still hope for a better future. The pain is inevitable, the suffering optional.

Be that light.

Today endeavor to carry out small acts of kindness, for your family, neighbors, and perhaps more importantly for strangers in need. Each act of kindness will be a salve to your own suffering.”

I thanked him for being that light, and I share this with you in a time of need to pay it forward. Thank you, Raymond Rose, you definitely walked the talk.

By the end of the day Wednesday, I was truly not okay. My soul ached, but it was the last warm day of Autumn, and we were running out of diapers for my grandson, so I took the walk that often brought me joy. The warm air felt good and the sound of a single cricket made me smile. As I got up to the checkout in the store, I thanked the cashier for doing the job she does, “after all, if you didn’t do what you do, we’d run out of diapers, and I appreciate you.” I said with a chuckle and a smile. Her eyes opened wide in surprise with a smile on her face. “Oh my God thank you so much” and she expressed how much it meant to her.

I left that store feeling so much better – because between the healing energy of nature, and the sharing of kindness, my hurting soul was fed some light.

So, make sure you feed the light in your soul and we will empower the healing energy of light from your community, all the way through the ripple effect that it can be for the world. Be kind, be compassionate, and shine brightly through the darkness. Be the candle in the night and help light the way.

Written by Melody Belliveau with credit to Raymond Rose

Life’s Reflections ….

March 17, 2023

I came across this writing I did three years ago. Life has been a gift day after day, and the older I get, the more I am aware of that. This is what I wrote that I would like to share with you:

I’m 60 years old and life has given me more experiences, both good and bad, and they’ve all had messages to them. As a child I always saw 60 as old, of course I don’t anymore. The “old” bar keeps moving forward. At this point in time 85-90 is old. But I’m sure if I’m Blessed with more time the bar will continue to move forward.

So what shall I leave as a legacy for the payment of this life? Making someone else’s life a little bit better for them. Leave the world a little bit of a better place before you came into it. “Take life in the pieces it’s given.” We live our lives minute to minute, day by day even though we plan it year by year. But life happens when we are making other plans.

So go ahead and make those goals – they are an asset – but then always turn your attention to today. For today, take care of yourself both physically and spiritually and do what you are guided to do and be kind while you are doing it. If you do that, and stay present in the moments, you will see Blessings you otherwise would have overlooked.

“Be the best you can possibly be and the rest will take care of itself.” Do not allow negative things to put a chip on your shoulders because left unchecked, it will change who you are inside. Pause if you must but always be true to yourself and who you most desire to be as a person without regard to success or wealth.

I hope you’ve found some wisdom in what you’ve read (thank you) and perhaps it will remind you to live your life in the joy of the moments you are Blessed with – each day.

Written by Melody Belliveau

The Light of Hope

December 31, 2022

“Anything is Possible”

That’s the absolute definition of Hope. Are there things that you believe are not possible? Then you are right – they are not. But if you can believe they are …. then you expand the possibilities beyond the limitations.

So if that’s true – what is the one thing you would wish to spread in the world?

Personally I like to stretch the limits of the mind. To those who know me, I embrace the term “colorful” to describe who I am and what I am about. I believe in intent. You can spread any sense of energy around with your presence. So the one I choose to spread is Hope. I truly believe anything is possible. I’ve seen some of the miracles. Can you heal your body and your mind? Some of you reading this have shown me yourselves.

We are all are the Beacons of Light that brings Hope into view. Spread that light – and if the majority did, anything would be possible.

For me, I’m going to spread it around like touching powdered sugar and tracking it everywhere. Anywhere we are, we share the energy of light we believe in. Thoughts become things – I want to produce the light of Hope.

Fear is not what I want to spread so I refuse to let it control my actions. The most amazing Blessings are right outside our comfort zones ….

Especially when we believe anything is possible.

Take this with you today …. and just maybe, again tomorrow you’ll feel it.

Written by Melody Belliveau

Memorial Day – A day of Reflection

May 30, 2022

This year Memorial day falls on the day many prefer to use as the somber original purpose of Memorial Day. There has even been push to make May 30th the remembrance day rather than our current last Monday of the month holiday. It took on a whole new meaning when it became a holiday weekend of celebration.

It became the official start of the Summer season for the beaches and businesses. Even the prices of shoreline businesses are dictated by it. Everyone celebrates the beginning of the warm weather season with Memorial Day – with cook-outs and backyard and beach fun.

But the true meaning is not forgotten by those who have lost loved ones in Service to give you those freedoms. You are even free to forget them and take what you have for granted.

For those in somber reflection today – I see you. You matter and so do those you’ve lost. I am grateful that they have given me the freedoms that I have. The freedom to express my Faith in God. The freedom to express myself, to develop my own style of who I am. And yes, even the freedom to take for granted things that are not optional in other places around the globe. I am grateful to be allowed to be me.

If you know someone who has lost a friend or family member in Service – reach out with compassion for the pain that is amplified today. Perhaps they can share a bit of light that loved one held, the precious memories of them that hold an energy that lives on as they speak of them.

A soldier dies twice – the day their body dies, and the day they are no longer remembered. So if we’re going to celebrate, let’s celebrate them for taking the path of the Heroes Journey and making the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your service for us all.

Written by Melody Belliveau

Uvalde’s Wounds Are Our Own

May 29, 2022

My mind doesn’t seem to want to rest, with the feelings swirling between the magic of the spiritual world and the wounds of the 3D world. Another school shooting. You can use the word ‘horrified’ but shocked no longer holds true.

Where were his thoughts?

With it brings a fierce fight for weapons control. He was barely eighteen, but they were easy to get. He posted on social media a half-hour before he did it – but it still happened. What was he thinking? Was calling it out publicly his own cries for help in stopping it? Was he hoping he would be stopped? We may never know the whys of this devastating tragedy, but the impact will be felt for generations – long after it leaves the news and laws are fought over to change it. So many are left dealing with the scars. We need to hear and understand what their cries are about in order to create that change we so desperately seek.

Not a child, but not truly an adult, he did not need to look hard to find adult examples of the same anguish and rage. That is what we need to address. He died not knowing that living in the wounds is not the only way to live. The sadness for all stays with me.

We must look deeper

The key to this is not solely with the guns – it is also understanding the anguish of the perpetrator to solve the issue. This flamingo wants to be an ostrich, but we can’t – I can’t. We have to understand to change it, and the act is so horrifying we don’t want to look. It feels too close to compassion. We are not comfortable with that. Hearts and souls are being wounded – lives are being torn apart and taken. We are not powerless to stop it. We have generations screaming in anguish and we see nothing but pain and punishment. We have to look deeper.

When we live in our anguish and rage, we allow evil to take over and a path of destruction is what it brings. It happened here, it is what’s happening in Ukraine and countless places around the globe. If we don’t live near it, we don’t want to continually hear about it and we even label it as political so we can detach ourselves from the suffering. Out of sight, out of mind – until it comes too close for comfort. That is not how we heal from it or how we reduce it from happening.

We need to see the pain and understand it. Those bullied explode and become the ultimate bully. But what causes the bullying to begin with? The one being bullied is not the cause. It is the careless words of those reflecting their own wounds who inflict the damage. What is it inside us that causes us to judge another simply to hurt them? Why do we feel compelled to inflict the wounds on another? “If you don’t heal what hurt you, you’ll bleed on those who didn’t cut you.” There’s an awful lot of bleeding going on.

Who becomes the bully?

We create anti-bullying policies but have no idea how to correct the behavior, so we merely punish it, or turn a blind eye to it. Make no mistake – it’s still happening today and adults can be the loudest voices of it. If you doubt that, just look through a bit of social media comments. We can do better.

Our Impact

“Be Impeccable With Your Words” is the first of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. So much bloodshed could be prevented if we put intentional effort into that. Our words can be a sword that eventually spills blood without us even realizing they held that power.

It is not a fault or a judgement, but rather a responsibility of us all. Instead of letting our emotions of it lead to more division, let’s learn to use our words wisely for each other. It is the only way to stop creating wounds with them. In the words of Peter Clarke, “Be kind out there”.

Written by Melody Belliveau

January Reflections

February 1, 2022

Yesterday I had written my reflections of my journey through January. But I didn’t post it. Sometimes when that happens, I find myself criticizing my inactions.- “a day late and a dollar short” came up in my thoughts at the end of the day. Guess I’m still learning to trust (as I’ve seen before) that the Universe had more to show me, as January wasn’t quite over yet.

My heart condition of SVT with an extra electrode in my heart (on medication for) kicked in and my heart spent the rest of the night galloping like the horses I feel drawn to. (Ironic since I am highly allergic to them and can’t get near one.) I thank God every morning for the gift of a new day, but this made me question again this month if I would see the next.

I knew the signs of needing medical intervention for my heart to need rebooting, as has been done before, so I waited and observed through the night like my own nurse. I used to joke when explaining it that God gave me such a big heart, he gave me an extra part. But with that heart, I have so much left to do to serve. Every single day that he gives me.

“…Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve got to understand that the reason that you are existing in this world today is because you have things that must be done and only certain people are qualified, to take it to the level that it needs to be taken to…” Coach Pain from Never Give Up. I’ve shared this quote many times and on many platforms because I truly believe this about every one of us. So I know February will be the month that sees the best of me if I’m gifted the time here.

January was quite the journey

I started it with an ambition to take all that I have been learning and integrating them into my daily habits. My goals are big ones and I wanted to make the most of each and every day. Then Covid hit my entire household of 7. No one needed hospitalization and we faired through it, all quarantined together.

My goals came to a pause, although there were some new habits that became even more important while I withdrew from much of social media to rest. My writing was merely focused on journaling and jotting down insights my meditation time brought my way. Self care that is stressed as important was not just an option but a necessity for recovery.

For me, being high risk, should have scary, and losing Betty White before her anticipated birthday, was not only sad, but unnerving for me with my birthday coming up. For someone with my rare autoimmune disorder, my age was a rarity on it’s own. From what I could find I am the oldest one alive with it in the world, and well past any expectations of the medical community.

Making it to my birthday with Covid made it all the more significant and family and friends made me feel loved with an overwhelming amount of birthday wishes. I even have a new toasting tradition that started last year with my amazing friend from LinkedIn, thank you Tiffany, and all of you who took the time to think of me and reach out.

Once I had recovered, along with the rest of the family, my single-parent daughter had a work trip week to New York and needed me to stay with the kids. Family comes first and I put my presence in those moments rather than my goals. This was a time of bonding that was a huge Blessing on its own.

Although home with a fresh perspective for my time, I realized I had been sitting in a comfort zone of where I used to be not wanting to be seen. Brene Brown says vulnerability is showing up and being seen when there are no guarantees. That is the growth uncomfort zone I had been in through 2021. Taking that self care time brought me comfortably to the sidelines. Stepping forward again was something I hesitated with. But growth is seeing that and recognizing the need to step back into the me I am becoming.

So for February, I am ready to make it the best of who I am . Life is beautiful and fulfilling and I’m going to make it the Blessing it’s meant to be.

What insights did your January journey gift to you? Do you see them as valuable to your February ahead? You are meant for something special. You matter and you are meant to share how with the world.