Raising the vibe. Performers incite us to do it at rock and pop concerts, leading us to feed off of each other’s energy, including the artists’. We work ourselves into a frenzy and take it home with us. And even when we think back on that concert, we notice a smile coming back to our face as we talk about it to our friends, potentially imparting some of that energy to them. But what if we’re on our own on a cold winter’s day, feeling the “same old, same old?” The “gray” of it all. When we learn how to be the “generator” of feelings (which indeed are vibes, are they not?), then a wonderful navigational device is at our command.

If the passion has gone out of your life. If you have some creative ideas you’re kicking around, but only end up at “meh.” If you notice an overall lackluster vibe going on for a little too long. Read on.

My high vibe kicked in this morning as I was listening to my favorite Pandora station, singing harmony to some of my favorite songs. I pulled my speaker into my office to keep the concert going, where I then beheld a stunning, sunny winter scene out my office window. There at the window, my eyes set upon the glistening snow over an expansive field, the crystal blue sky and the swaying evergreens among the bare and elegant branches of the Oak trees. That snowy field felt like vast blanket of wonderful possibilities. I was overcome with awe and feeling ever so grateful for my life. I was already in a happy place when the bar was raised by another element of beauty coming into my field of awareness. All this, and then in comes the sweet face of our dear dog, a black lab mix named Rex, looking at me like I am so worthy of his love. (Kids and animals don’t feel obligated to pretend they like you, so this is authentic stuff!)

Believe me, I do not automatically wake up like this every day, but it does remind me that there are steps we can take to raise our vibe. We are indeed spirits tromping around in these Earth suits. For most of us, we let the Earth suit do the talking. There is a beautiful line from the New Testament that lists all the gifts we enjoy when we’re aligned with that which animates us: “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23). When we are deeply aligned with the Spirit in us, we inhabit a higher vibration that attracts its match in experience. Yes, our current vibe draws to it the matching vibe of experience, but if we don’t like it – if it doesn’t serve our desires and goals – we can truly change it, and it begins with our awareness.

First, as my mentor, Mary Morrissey, said to us many, many times, “notice what you’re noticing.” What thoughts are you allowing residence in your head, and for how long? This is the primary point for making a change, because our thoughts create feelings and our feelings lead to action (or lack of action, apathy). We must be aware of our feelings before we can seize the opportunity to uplift them. Most of our thoughts are patterns we allow to continue operating in our day, like listening to the same old playlist, but now it’s in the background barely catching our attention. But what if we were to turn up the volume on that list? What once was taken for granted in the background is now commanding our attention and, in this case, in a negative way. Like “wow, why am I still listening to these songs? I’m tired of these.” Time to download some new playlists! And just like music, we focus on what lights us up, and from there, we can create some go-to rocket fuel.

For me, music is one of the top ways to raise my vibe. Here, we’re literally working in the audible land of vibrations. Music sets the tone for where we want to be. Normally, when I write or work, I enjoy quiet or I play soft new-agey or classical music. But when I’m cleaning my home, out comes Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire, The Spinners, Kool and the Gang and the like (old school, high vibe!), and that baby is cleaned in under two hours – like a boss! Not to mention the amazing “floor show” I put on as I sing and dance my way to a job well done (talk about “dance like no one is watching” and praying they truly aren’t). Which brings me to the next sure-fire way to raise my vibe – moving the bod. Dancing, Hiking, Walking with the dog, Tennis, Yoga, Swimming are all favorites of mine. Most of my favorites are the kind where I don’t notice I’m actually exercising – I just think I’m having fun. Consider what movement appeals to you. Other options are being in nature or surrounding yourself in beauty, either alone or with a loved one. It’s a lovely way to bring in peace, delight and awe. That sunny, snowy field filled me with that “cup runneth over” sensation. When we arrive at a place of gratitude, we are well on our way to a beautiful vibe.  Pets have a wonderful way of comforting us, as well as lifting us up with their personalities and antics – unconditional vibe raisers. When it comes to people, it’s a very good idea to be discerning about who we allow to influence our vibe. When you consider the folks that you most often hang out with, who feels “light” and who feels “heavy?” Pay attention to this feedback. Again, awareness of who’s a drain and who’s a gain, will allow you to make more conscious choices about who you spend your time with and for how long.

Claim this personal power tool for yourself and work with your awareness and favorite mood enhancers to lift you up out of the gray. Doing so allows the best version of yourself to emerge and truly give what you came here to give. Add some of your own favorite rocket fuel discussed in the options above to raise your vibration especially when you’re not really feeling it to launch you into action in service of your gifts and true nature.