Raising Your Vibration
Channeling my inner Beach Boys, “I’m picking up good vibrations”. In all honesty, though, a month ago I was really struggling. I’m betting that you, too, are known to struggle to keep yourself in a higher vibe mode. It’s so easy to get in a thought-spiral that brings us down, down, down and getting out of that thought-spiral is much harder than getting into it.
People have told me before that they think I’m always happy or in a good mood. People who know me well will eagerly protest - THAT’S NOT TRUE! It is not true. I am just like you: a soul having a human experience, which means I have ALL the feelings and emotions. I get upset a little too quickly. I lash out when I’m hangry or sleepy or in pain. I’ve been known to swear like a sailor, and lose patience when a half-second before I seemed fine. I would like to say “this was the old me”, but I can only say that if the old me includes the last week.
All that said, I have been working on reacting less and living more peacefully. There are some ways to do that- one of them is by living in a higher vibration level. I think when you start taking these steps you will start noticing a difference right away. This is good because it’s not necessarily easy and you will need motivation to get back on track when the downward spiral starts (almost immediately).
First, remember to BREATHE. Inhale, two, three, four. Hold, two, three, four. Exhale, two, three, four. Repeat. When you breathe and focus on your breath, you are fully in the present and safe. Nothing else matters. I have a shaman-friend who says, “we are our breath”. We are not our body. We are not our thoughts/mind. Our breath is all we have. It is all we are. So- everyday, take some deep breaths and find yourself in the moment. Nothing else matters.
Second, BE GRATEFUL. Have you ever noticed when your thoughts go into a death spiral that none of them are focused on things that make you feel grateful? Every night before you go to sleep, think of five things for which you are truly grateful. If you’re struggling, make it easy: I’m grateful for my cozy bed. I’m grateful for my warm home. I’m grateful for seeing the crow perched on the lamppost today. I’m grateful for the stranger who smiled at me at the stop sign. I’m grateful for not falling on the ice today. Be TRULY thankful in your whole being for the simple things that brought you moments of peace or joy or love - or even were simply adequate and didn’t make your life harder.
Third, DO SOMETHING TO MAKE SOMEONE’S LIFE BETTER. This doesn’t have to be a huge, philanthropic act. I can do it by holding a door for someone, smiling at someone, or filling up my bird feeders. This is simply an act that takes you out of yourself for a brief period and makes someone (or something’s) life a little easier or better.
Fourth, BE HONEST. Covering up the truth, whether you’re lying to yourself about something or lying to someone else takes up energy and brings our vibration down. Make your life easier by choosing the truth. Living in truth is called INTEGRITY and it simply feels good.
Fifth, BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING. This is a big one, and I’m, personally, not even close to perfecting it yet. Yes, lots of water and a healthy diet of greens, grains, nuts and seeds will definitely keep your body, and therefore your mind and spirit operating at a higher vibration. Absolutely. And heavy meals, greasy food, caffeine and alcohol will lower your vibration. Sometimes it’s good to remember “one small change each day is better than no change”. That said, it’s not just about food and drink. What are you watching? What are you reading? Who are you spending your time with? Are you bombarded with negativity and trying to stay in a high vibration? That’s REALLY hard to do - even when you’re grounded and protected, and all the “spiritual things” to help you. If you’re on a steady diet of violence and gore, your brain is going to think that’s part of who you are and how you should be thinking.
I would like to say “this is it”, but I’ve found it takes a bit more effort. It’s when I skip steps that the negative thought patterns start creeping in at an alarming rate. I can’t just remember to breathe each day. I actually have to take the time to meditate. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time. My Insight Timer app has lots of meditations from 1 minute to 3 hours. A lot of days I only have time for 4-5 minutes, but 4 minutes is way more than 0 and my brain knows it.
I have a daily calendar that I use to write down 5 things I’m grateful for each night before I go to bed. I’m a night owl, so this works for me. However, I have a friend who thinks of ten! things every morning before her feet hit the floor. I also journal every day. I’ve missed a day or two or three before, but it’s when missing my journal entry starts to become my new “habit” that the negative thoughts start creeping in. Again, a short entry or bullet-points only is better than nothing.
Making someone’s life better? Well, it’s definitely easiest if you’re volunteering because you have consciously decided to take X number of hours per week or month and focus completely on someone else. It’s a proven way to help take focus off of ourselves and our own problems while making someone’s life better…but maybe you are already burning your candle at both ends (YES - that also lowers your vibration…try to cut something out before your body gets sick or hurt and forces you to), or mayou’re stuck inside your home? There are so many things you can do. You can call someone or write an old fashioned letter. You can go through closets and drawers and cabinets and get rid of or donate things that you’re not using. You can do some self-care.
Part of being honest, for me, is my journaling. It keeps me accountable to myself. If I write in my journal that I’m going to do something or talk to somebody, I need to follow through. Integrity to myself is as important as having integrity with others. It creates a habit. Honestly, this is where I need to mention moving my body. Remembering to go outside to get some fresh air and exercise, or singing or dancing or drumming when the mood hits is something I need to do to spend less time in my head. Writing down that I’m going to MOVE means that I HAVE to move!
And changing my consumption habits was slow. First, it was just a matter of noticing that the first app I opened on my phone was the news. I was getting riled up each day before my day even got started and changing that habit did not happen overnight. What are the things that you are consuming that are doing you no favors? Can you recognize them? Can you change one of them today? You will find (I PROMISE) that the higher you keep your vibration, the better you will feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This does not mean you will not have bad moments. In fact, you might be tempted to say you still have bad days. I would like to challenge you, even with that mindset. Instead of something crummy happening predicting that your “whole day is bad”, allow it to be just that moment. The more you start focusing on life as a series of moments (breaths), the more you will realize, most of it is good. It’s just when we get trapped in our thoughts that it seems bad.
Good luck picking up good vibrations. I KNOW you can do it!! ;)
