Wednesday, May 30, 2018

A Journey of Hope!

A Journey of Hope!

Beautiful People, 

I am on a Journey of Hope and will return to Social Media after some much needed reflection, rest and relaxation!

Until then...
I Send You All Rainbows of Courage, Gratitude, Healing, Hope, Integrity and Love!

Always, Melony 

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Full Moon Meditation: A Vision of Humanity Awakening with Integrity!

Full Moon Meditation: A Vision of Humanity Awakening with Integrity! 

 Beautiful People, 

Today I Pray.  I Sit In Silence Asking for Guidance and Direction.  

The question some of us may be asking in this time of Painful Transformation is...

"Will Hope Be Enough for All to Re-Connect to Our Divine Source of Love?".

The Truth Is that All Actions of Love Make this World Better! 

I close my eyes, trust and allow time to pass.  

I Breathe and Exhale Many Times.  
In Hope.  Out Love.  

I follow the Light through the darkness.  Each step I take into my heart fills me with Grace and gives me Hope.  

I Vision Good Change on Earth.  

Good Change is not always comfortable or easy.  Sometimes Change brings confusion and chaos.  

I Breathe.  The World Is Changing.  
I Am Changing.

I hold on to Faith and ask for more Courage.  I keep moving towards the Light.  

I Breathe.  In Hope.  Out Love.  

I Thank Our Blessed Creator.  I Honor Our Ancestors and All Who Have Ascended.

As I step into Good Change, I imagine that I become the Light.  

All around me are other Lights.  We are those Spirits Awakening with Respect and Integrity. 

Together We Are Breathing.  
In Hope. Out Love.

My Vision Continues.... 
Collectively we honor our Elders and our Children. 

We Vision a World of Loving Peace where there is equity, good education and housing; as well as a blossoming sustenance and Good Possibility for All.  

We Share Lovingly.  We Forgive.  We smile and decide to work together to help heal our broken hearts and our Earth/Heart.

Somewhere buttercups, tulips and magnolia trees are beginning to blossom. Robins and hummingbirds sing.  

The powerful voice of blue jays is heard even by dolphins and whales.  
The oceans roar and the wind calls on us to Love.  

And Love vibrates and spins new melodies.  Yes.  Change Is Here!  

Hope, Love and New Possibility fill the air.  

It is time to continue our individual and Collective Journeys with Courage, Integrity, Good Purpose and Respect for Eachother.  

May Humanity Awaken with Integrity and Allow Love to Lead so that Our Children Thrive and Grow and Prosper with Good Dreams Everywhere throughout the World.

With Joy, Humility, Gratitude and Love...Let Us All Breathe Deeply!

Always, Melony

Peace Is Possible through Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity, Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Hope, Integrity, Joy, Kindness, Mercy, Patience, Respect, Understanding and the Gift of Love!

Melony On #GreatReadPBS

#GreatReadPBS 

Beautiful People, 

Have You had an opportunity to watch the Premiere Episode of The Great American Read?  If So, Did You See Me, Melony McGant Discussing The Shack by William P. Young?  

And if you haven't seen it yet, Click on the link below to watch!

https://pbs.org/video/3012787727/
Follow The Great American Read Series and you will see Carolyn A Butts, Founder of African Voices Magazine, Aronda Way, Jazz Vocalist and Mario Sprouse, Master Pianist and Coordinator of The Arts Ministry at Marble Collegiate Church joining me in another episode filmed at #MarbleCollegiateChurch in NYC where we really Turn It Up and discuss the Power of Forgiveness, Losing a Loved One and Letting Go of Guilt. Have You Read The Shack? It's a Great Summer Read! Oh and There Are 100 Books Being Discussed By Incredible People. The Great American Read is a Wonderful Show and You Can View It on by Following the Link Below!

https://pbs.org/video/3012787727/
What's Your Favorite Book? Please Join The Great American Read Book Club. Share Your Vote Once a Day! 100 Books. One Winner! Always, Melony

 https://pbs.org/video/3012787727/



Monday, May 28, 2018

A Dream That Heals!

A Dream That Heals!

Beautiful People,

Please Join Me in a Collective Prayer for Peace. First let us still our minds and our hearts.

Ten Times We Breathe Deeply and Exhale Slowly.

With Each Breath We Open Our Hearts with Love, Flexibility and Hope.

We Pray for an End to Classism, Inequity, Inequality, Injustice, Greed, Hatred, Racism, Selfishness,Violence and Xenophobia.

As We Stand Together In Love, We Ask to Walk with Compassion, Cooperation, Forgiveness, Integrity, Mercy, Patience, Understanding and Hope for the Good Dreams of Our Ancestors, Elders, Ourselves and Our Children.

Allow us each to create Peace within our hearts, and to exude that Peace externally.

Let us walk and exude Love’s calming, warming vapors.

Loving Spirits of the UniVerse, help us learn to be of service to eachother.

Let our eyes, and hearts open with Joy to receive the Miracles that manifest Each Day.

As the birds call us to dance, and laugh, and sing; allow a New Peace to move through each of us so that we begin to heal our Earth=Heart.

We Acknowledge Our Gratitude to Our Blessed Divine MotherFatherCreator of ALL.

Right now at this moment, let us feel new Gratitude as our entire sentient family reflects Joy.

Let us each re-member that We are forever interconnected to a UniVersal Spirit.

Teach us how to let our hearts tenderly wander around the galaxies and multiverse exuding Love, and healing those with broken spirits.

Together, let us manifest the beginning of something New, Gentle, Humane, Tender and Beautiful.

As we re-member that we are interconnected heart to heart, we reflect only Love.

We release all fear.  We exude joy as a Collective.

We Commit to Become a Rainbow of Peace, Service, Equanimity and Love.

This Is Our Dream. This Is Our Prayer.

And So It With Love!

Always, Melony
Peace Is Possible through Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity, Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Hope, Integrity, Kindness, Mercy, Patience, Respect, Understanding and the Gift of Love!

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Drink Often from the Joy Oasis!

Drink Often from the Joy Oasis! 

Beautiful People, 

First Stretch Your Arms to the Sky In Gratitude and Say Thank You!

Open Your Heart and Clear Your Mind.  Let Go of Any Distractions. 

Now Breathe Deeply and Exhale Slowly Six Times.

In Gratitude and Love.  
Out Gratitude and Love. 
In Gratitude and Love.
Out Gratitude and Love.
In Gratitude and Love.
Out Gratitude and Love...

When We Awaken and Say Thank You for the Miracle of the New Day...

We Are Re-Membering and Honoring Grace by Drinking from the Joy Oasis. 

Each Thank You we offer in Pure Gratitude comes from our Joy Oasis. 

What is the Joy Oasis? 
It is the place in our hearts where Goodness, Hope and Love reside. 

Drink Often from Your Joy Oasis and Simple Miracles of Hope Will Become More Evident Throughout Your Day!

Always, Melony 

Peace Is Possible through Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity. Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Hope, Integrity, Joy, Kindness, Mercy, Patience, Respect, Understanding and the Gift of Love!

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Each Breath As a Prayer!

Each Breath As a Prayer!

Beautiful People, 

Today with Gratitude, may we open our hearts to neighbors everywhere. 

May we offer our resources and good wishes  to the Ones in front of us.  

May we look across the World and help where we can, even if it is Only Our Prayers.  

In fact Prayers of Compassion, Healing, Hope and Love are the most important gifts we can offer because it shifts thought patterns, opens the heart to Faith.  

Prayer can also inspire us to work together as the invisible doors of our hearts open to Grace.  

Breathe Deeply Ten Times.  Breathe  In Love.  
Breathe Out Love.

As we allow each Breath of Unselfish Love to become a Prayer, we become aware that the Blessed Creator that some may call Great Spirit Lives through Each of Us.  

Therein lies the Miracle!   

Blessed Be YOU and Your Beautiful Heart!

Always, Melony 

Peace Is Possible through Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity, Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Hope, Integrity, Joy, Kindness, Mercy, Patience, Respect, Understanding and the Gift of Love!

Illustration by Paul Goodnight 

Friday, May 25, 2018

Living the Best Yet!

Living the Best Yet!

Beautiful People, 

Today Breathe Deeply Six Times. 

In Gratitude. Out Love!  
In Gratitude. Out Love! 
In Gratitude. Out Love... 

I'd like to share a lesson I continue to learn from a fellow artist, native Pittsburgher and longtime friend, Darcia....

Be Grateful for Your Past.  The good times, the great times, the hard times and the times you asked "Why ME?".  

There will be difficult days, joyful days, thoughtful days and days when you must say goodbye in the night, so that you can dream, awaken and make room to Start Again by Being Fully Present in the New Day.

When we live through a crisis or difficulty, a wise one learns to ask "Why Not Me?" 

Then with humility and hope, you will feel your heartbeat with acceptance, good possibility, integrity and understanding! 

Again, Breathe and Exhale Deeply. 

Re-Member that Every New Day Brings a New Challenge so that You Can Grow and Shine Your Light.

Today Give Thanks.  Embrace the Mystery of Life!

Walk With Your Good Friends, Compassion, Courage, Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Gratitude, Hope, Integrity, Intuition, Joy, Mercy, Patience, Respect and Understanding. 

Joyfully Share Your Gratitude, Your Gifts, Your Hope, and Your Love.   

Allow Every New Day to Become a Miracle.

Try to Always Live Your Best Yet! 

Always,  Melony

Peace is Possible through Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity, Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Hope, Integrity, Kindness, Mercy, Respect, Understanding and--- The Grace of Love!

Photo: Darcia and Melony Living the Best Yet!

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

You Are Amazing, Brilliant, Beautiful and Compassionate! Thank You!

You Are Amazing, Brilliant, Beautiful and Compassionate! Thank You! 

Please SHARE....

Beautiful People, 
You Are a Gift.  And within you lives a Genius!  Sometimes we forget but if You were not here, the World would be different. 

Breathe Deeply and Exhale Slowly Ten Times. 

You Are a Gift and YOU have Gifts to Share! 

This week take some time for Reflection.  Get your writing journal and open the door to the Dreamer within You.

 First, make a Long JOY LIST.   Every day commit to do at least 5 things off of your JOY LIST.

Second, Make a Daily Gratitude List! 

Next, Answer the following Questions. 

1. What is your Gift/Genius?
2. How do you use your Gift/Genius? 
3. How do you share your Gift/Genius?

4. What is your earliest childhood memory of using your Gift/Genius?

5. What is your next good step to further develop your Gift/Genius?

6. What is your Passion? 

7. If you could do anything, what would you do?  Where would you work? 

8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  How do you plan to accomplish your Goals? 

9. What is one thing other people say about You?   Is this how you see yourself? 

10. What are the most  important Skills you use in your work? 

11. If you are looking for a New Job or Creative  Opportunity;  why should an employer/artistic director/investor, etc.  Consider You or Hire You? 

12. Who Inspires You?

13. Name 30 people you would like to meet or companies where you would like to work. 

14. Is the Dreamer in You Fully Committed to Live with Compassion, Gratitude and Integrity? 

Today and Everyday, Breathe Deeply and Exhale Slowly.  
Remember to Listen Deeply to all that is said and not said. 
Use your Intuition.  

Be Willing to Change and Grow! 

Be Consistent in Your Good Efforts. 

Live with Good Purpose. 

Say to Yourself,  I am a Gift.  With Gratitude, I Am Willing to Share My Gifts and My Genius with the World! 

Thank You! 

YOU INSPIRE ME☆♡☆♡☆♡

Always, Melony 

(c) Melony McGant

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

The Great American Read on PBS Television Nationwide

Tonite, Tuesday, May 22...

Please Watch the Premiere of The Great American Read on PBS Television at 8pm/7c.  
Follow the Series and look out for Aronda Way, Carolyn A Butts, Melony McGant and Mario Sprouse discuss why we think The Shack by William P. Young is a Special Book!

Melony Celebrating the Premiere of the Great American Read with Carolyn A Butts, Aronda Way and Mario Sprouse!  BRAVO!😊💖🙏💖




I Am Like the Bamboo!

I Am Like the Bamboo!

Beautiful People, 

Today, I sit in Gratitude and Marvel at the Details of Creation.  

What makes a Bamboo shoot grow in water and in soil?  How is it that its roots are flexible while the shoot is firm and learns to bend and wind?  

I Breathe Deeply Six Times.  

In Flexibility and Care.  Out Patience and Compassion.  
In Flexibility and Care.  Out Patience and Compassion. 
In Flexibility and Care.  Out Patience and Compassion...   

In my heart, I am like the Bamboo.  

I believe that the roots of Love can grow in many places.  

We embrace life's difficulties and joy with compassion.  We sprout new leaves that blossom in beauty and grow with patience. 

 I Breathe Deeply... 

In Flexibility and Care.  Out Patience and Compassion.  
In Flexibility and Care.  Out Patience and Compassion.... 

I Am Like the Bamboo!

Compassion, Flexibility, Hope, and Patience are the Roots of Love that Grow in My Heart so they can be Shared and Blossom in Many Places.

 I Am Like the Bamboo Living and Learning to Share with the Joy of a Bird of Paradise!                              
 Always,  Melony

Peace is Possible through Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity, Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Hope, Integrity, Joy, Kindness, Mercy, Respect, Understanding and the Gift of Love!

Monday, May 21, 2018

Honoring the Ascension of Dance Icon Miss Katherine Dunham on May 21, 2006 #OPRAHLegend


Honoring the Ascension of Dance Icon Miss Katherine Dunham on May 21, 2006 #OPRAHLegend




Katherine Dunham Speaks Out on Dunham Technique, Today's World Violence Leaders, and Hope by Melony McGant .

Anthropologist, choreographer, writer and humanitarian Katherine Dunham has been called a visionary, a pioneer, and a living legend. She has been a major force in dance, and is best known for incorporating African American, Caribbean, African, and South American movement style themes into her ballets. She has appeared in more than 57 countries around globe, received recognition from UNESCO as well as heads of state, and is the recipient of hundreds of awards and honorary doctorates including the U.S. Presidential Award, Kennedy Center Honors, the Albert Schweitzer Award, Essence Magazine Awards, the National Black Theatre Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, and was one of Oprah's Legends.

Originally recorded in 2002 at the Miss Katherine Dunham's residence in NYC, portions of this conversation have appeared in African Voices Magazine (a much longer version) and Tribes Magazine. In this interview with Melony McGant, Miss Dunham shares her heart, and hopes for a World of Peace, as she passes us the baton.

Miss Katherine Dunham was born in Chicago on 22 June, 1909 and left this Earth Realm and Ascended to the heaven Realm on May 21, 2006. She Is Re-membered with Love!

MM: It's been said that the Dunham Technique has strong implications and affiliations to the "other world."

KD: I feel that to know Dunham Technique you have to be willing to accept the holistic view of life. That is the body, mind and spirit work together. They don't work separately from each other. They grow together and unite. You have to be aware that these things do not operate alone, they operate together. So when you are deeply into Dunham Technique and are performing the choreography or are teaching, or learning, then all of those parts of your body begin to sing. And they begin to sing not in solo voices but in unison. It's like striking a wonderful chord and the response from the person who is receiving is so great that the teacher grows from it too. You can not be a teacher of Dunham Technique without receiving back from the pupil or the person that you teach.

MM: Sometimes the student could get lost out there in their own meditation and become ecstatic . How can a teacher know when to bring them back?

KD: By identification. By being able to identify with others. The good teacher is so sensitive, so willing to know and love, and be a part of ... The open minded student feels that. It's like the audience. The audience wouldn't be there if they didn't want to be there. The minute you step on to the stage you have to feel their awareness and willingness and gather it into your whole being. Every move that you make goes out with love and with an understanding of body, mind and spirit being united into one feeling, being, one "itness," so that you are a successful performer and your audience is able to receive with an open self.

MM: How can a teacher help a student understand that?

KD: I'd say don't talk about it. Just be it. Do it and be it. A lot of teachers try to explain. There's a little explanation, maybe. If you help your student eat the right thing, breath the right thing, feel the right thing, be aware of good things. It can help ... For instance, you might suggest that your student attend a concert that will immediately fit into their needs. Knowing the needs of other people is one of the hard things about BEING. I don't say to a student don't do this or don't do that. I just try to show them. You know what was so wonderful about Erich Fromm ... He'd ask me questions instead of telling me how to be over my malaise or unhappiness or whatever it was, he'd ask me questions that would lead me to the Balm and Gilead for me. And that I think is what a good friend or a true psychoanalyst, a truly worthy element in your life does ... It is to guide you through love.

MM: How do you feel about what's happening in the World"?

KD: What's happening in the world today is very, very hard on me. It is so awful, so terrible, so painful and so many people suffering. It's a fact. It's here with us. It's ridiculous to think that your government is going to ease your pain. As I look at it I say ... For God's sake I say don't go and kill to compensate for killing.

MM: This is a hard question for me to ask. Do you have any anger about anything?

KD: Anger. Oh yes, that's a part of activism. If I do not approve of what you are doing, then I will do everything I can to stop it. I will bring all of my strength to stop it. I am not in agreement, I am not in accord ... I am angry at what is happening in this world today. I wouldn't be me if I tried to suppress that anger, I'd be false ... hypocritical. I don't have to put it on anyone else. You don't have to be angry with me if that's not the way you feel. But above all don't try to stop me from being angry.

MM: If you were speaking to our world leaders, what would you say?

KD: Well to most of them I would say: "You do not belong in a position of leadership. You have not overcome self. You don't really love humanity, yourself included. You are not a leader. Stop and look at it and study it, realize it and change it. Change yourself or step aside and help someone else take the position that you feel you are fulfilling but you're not." And I'd say: "Stop and think and don't try to put aside, or shut your eyes to those things that are showing you where you've made mistakes. Open your heart to these things inside and help. Be sure that your every breath, every thought, every movement, every deed is being helpful to someone or something. Be sure that you are honest and true."

MM: How do you feel about this violence?

KD: It should have no place in human living.

MM: Are all religions the same? Not the dogma, but the spirit?

KD: I think that intellectually they sound as though they are the same. Intellectually they all say we believe in our God. We want to do what that one God says do but we see errors that are committed because between God and action comes man. And man is by no means perfect creature.

MM: And the United States?

KD: The United States is a great big hypocrite bully. Our God has chosen to give us ... .a means of conquering ... but when you are power driven, you are bound to turn to destruction and violence.

MM: What do you want to tell my generation and the children ... those who come after. What should we be doing?

KD: You should be aware. And of course always be forgiving. You can judge but I don't feel that we have within us the right to hold forth any blessings. God does that. And I would say be aware and be giving. Know how to take, how to receive and how to give. Be sure that both are operating always in your life. If you feel strongly about a cause, don't push it on people but be willing to defend it when it is necessary. Just one word, that one word love is strongest. Know all the different phases of love and have them all in your life. And be able to live with them.

MM: Could you give me a couple of examples of love that you were thinking of ?

KD: Well, you certainly have to know self-love. Erich (Fromm) was probably the founder of that... belief in yourself and a love of yourself. Be kind and gentle with yourself and everything else. Try to avoid, and succeed in avoiding injury to others. Live life with kindness and live life with love.

MM: Is there any hope?

KD: I feel that this present civilization is just about over. I feel that there is a hope in some people, elements, I won't say remnants ... things that are still there, that they can manage to be together after a period of rest and growth. And choose to grow in the sunshine of hope and love. Yes then there is hope for another civilization on this earth. Of course there is always a chance that out in the universe there are some other earths that could come and smash this one into nothing. I see no reason why there shouldn't be another chance for man because he is a creature of God but I'm not counting on it. I'm counting on trying to help save and give hope to those whose eyes are open now and who are suffering.

MM: Is there anything that I can personally do for you? Or anything that I personally need to know ?

KD: I think that you are one of the people who has the fabric of knowledge and I think that you should develop it and continue on your mission of nurturing love and furthering love and that you must spend a little more time protecting yourself. You can't afford to be hyper-sensitive, put it that way. You have to find different ways to help you to be stronger everyday. And be stronger and wiser. You need strength and you need wisdom. And you've helped so much ... just the fact that you are there. And I know that you are there. And that I know you are an honest person working towards the same end, that's great.

MM: Thank you, you honor me.

KD: And don't be embarrassed by tears ...

MM: I gathered my things, thanked Ms. Dunham again,and gave her a big hug.

Miss Katherine Dunham was born in Chicago on 22 June, 1909 and left this Earth Realm and Ascended to the heaven Realm on May 21, 2006. She Is Re-membered with Love!

(c) Melony McGant, 2002, Photo May 1, 2006 by Tyrone Rasheed

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Melony's Wisdom Mondays: You Are a Hierophant, a Bringer of Light and Love!

Melony's Wisdom Mondays:
You Are a Hierophant, a Bringer of Light and Love! 

Beautiful People, 

Breathe Deeply Five Times.  Inhale Humility and Joy.  Exhale the Grace of Love.   

You Are a Hierophant, a Bringer of Light and Love! 

As Hierophants we are all students and teachers....
Living, learning, sharing, and Loving. This is our path, a Return to LOVE. 

Again, Breathe Deeply Five Times. Inhale Humility and Joy.  Exhale the Grace of Love.  

People would have us believe that we should not focus on the heart.

The Truth Is we can NOT develop and travel into the new realms purely in our minds. 

The heart always has the right answers.  And Truth Is All There Is. 
For In Truth We Experience Divine LOVE.

Breathe.  

Right now let us feel Joy's embrace as particles of LOVE run through the very cells of our body

You Are a Hierophant, a Bringer of Light and Love! 

Breathe!  Inhale Humility and Joy.  Exhale the Grace of Love!

You Are a Hierophant, a Bringer of Light and Love! 

Always, Melony
Peace Is Possible through Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity, Deep Listening, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Purpose, Hope, Integrity, Joy, Kindness, Mercy, Patience, Respect, Understanding and the Gift of Love! 
#MelonysWisdomMondays
#GeniusIsCommon