In her newest book, “Heart-Dreamer,” local author Cheryl Melody Baskin shares powerful stories and life wisdom that focus on heart-listening, inspiration and hope.
PHOTO/SHANNON MATOS PHOTOGRAPHY

Even as an introspective young girl, Cheryl Melody Baskin knew she preferred to go deep in a conversation, straight to the heart, encouraging others to believe in themselves, discover their own truths and dare to make their dreams a reality.

In her newest book, “Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams — No Matter What,” Baskin shares how she transformed the negative effects of her own childhood wounds into a path toward self-healing by creating projects with purposeful intentions and messages.

“I’ve shared every part of who I am in this book,” Baskin stated, “and offer self-healing approaches that will guide one’s journey towards inner growth and transformation, encourage daydreaming and invite you to ponder the more mystical aspects in life and be alert for their clues all around you.”

Baskin’s philosophy is one of inclusion, and she is passionate about offering love, hope and peace to others.

“I love to encourage people to find the music inside them that wants to come out,” she added playfully.

An accomplished performing and recording artist, intuitive life coach and motivational speaker and educator, Baskin is a bright example of what one can do from a place of believing in and valuing self.

“Heart-Dreamer” contains 255 pages of inspiration, encouragement, support and life experiences and wisdom from the author and from people all over the world who are part of her Facebook community, Shift of Heart.

Each chapter provides tips for self-healing, personal growth and self-discovery through experiential activities, heart-listening and love.

“I teach what I need to learn,” she added humbly. “Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Know that you are more than what people label you as and know that when you get in touch with your true self, you can go for your dreams and keep hope in your heart, no matter what.”

Being a consummate dreamer her whole life, Baskin has a lot to say about listening to one’s intuition, which she calls “wisdom-whispers,” and she invites others to make sacred space in their lives so they may discover their inner voice of wisdom.

Healing from the “inside-out” includes understanding the healing power of visualization, creating “words matter” affirmations, learning to curb the inner critique, diving into experiential exercises in journal writing and uncovering the healing power in being present to each breath and each moment in life.

“ ‘Heart-Dreamer’ will teach you how to channel your inner toddler, rediscover your strengths, understand your core values and gain greater self-confidence,” Baskin noted.

She has woven creativity activities throughout that are good for everyone, especially if creativity isn’t one’s strong suit.

“As soon as I saw the sentence ‘Allow your heart to guide you,’ I knew Melody’s words contained the truth about life,” offered Bernie Siegal, M.D., New York Times bestselling author, in his testimonial about “Heart-Dreamer.”

Baskin believes in a balance of quiet contemplation, meaningful social interaction, the healing power of nature, creativity, positive words, heart-opening presence, positive music and walking the path of love. She believes that we are all connected, and that peace is possible, one loving person at a time.

“Most of all, I believe in hope and feel that every small moment of personal healing, compassion, love and forgiveness helps to create a positive resonance that actively vibrates love into our beautiful planet,” she said.

Besides “Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams — No Matter What,” Baskin has authored another personal growth self-help book, “Shift of Heart — Paths to Healing and Love,” and a three-act children’s musical entitled, “Peace Begins with You and Me.” As a musician, she has recorded numerous award-winning albums with meaningful songs, storytelling and poetry for every age. She also is the founder and moderator of the Facebook global community Shift of Heart and has a website, shiftofheart.com.

“I seek to inspire people to discover, honor and actualize their innermost truth, hopes and dreams,” Baskin said. “My passion is inspiring anyone with a dream to take a leap of faith towards living that dream.”

Upcoming meet and greet events include the Bancroft Memorial Library in Hopedale on Dec. 7 and the Hopkinton Public Library on Dec. 10.