Author: Mercedes Déziel-Hupé (Page 12 of 18)

I'm a yoga mama of four littles, wife and holistic life and wellness coach and author.

Raising Your Vibe

Have you ever wondered why some people just seem lucky? Or when they’re having a good day, all good things seem to happen to them? Sometimes, it feels like you have a stroke of good fortune and good things bring better experiences and even greater people to share these experiences with and it feels invigorating?

change-managementIt’s not strictly by chance.

I’ve experienced serendipity for myself, but also, what feels like a huge shift at a few periods in my life. I’m going through a shift right now.

Why?

Because I’m raising my vibe. *Notice the continuing verb tense here.* You could call it many things, but I think that “vibe” is accessible and encompassing. Your vibe is the energy with which you carry yourself; it’s more than the sum of your thoughts, feelings, attitude, beliefs and actions.

Science has been able to show that the body generates heat and uses colour to demonstrate this. Perhaps, one day, science will also be able to show that our energy surrounding our body (also known as our aura) extends outside of ourselves and can be felt. It is not yet seen by most of us, although, some can train to see energy fields or auras. That said, someone who is even remotely aware can sense another’s moods. Someone who’s very sensitive will be able to read much more than body language from another’s presence.

Our vibe, is the particular brand of energy, tuned in to a low (negative) or high (positive) frequency. Energy can be viewed as having levels, including positive and negative, on a spectrum. It can be compared to a radio station; within the station’s range, the broadcast will come in clearly once the radio is tuned to the frequency. On the other hand, regardless of the high or low frequency, if the station you’re looking for isn’t tuned on your radio and you’re not searching in the correct circuit (AM or FM), then there’s static and there’s no clear communication.

(I know, what an old school example. I’m a child of the 80s!)

souls recognize vibesWhen you tune yourself to high frequencies (let’s say FM for the sake of the metaphor), such as positive emotions like love, you are near the station (your purpose, your harmony or sense of peace), you receive clear communication and you can access other “FM” stations. A high frequency or FM station can be your purpose, your harmony, your sense of peace or fulfillment… And the communication can take the form of ideas to inspire you into taking action, or abundance and dreams may manifest tangibly. When you’re searching AM stations in the hope of finding FM content, you’re out of luck.

So if you are hoping for love, but your attitude, your beliefs and your actions resonate with a low frequency, then the broadcast just won’t work. The good news is, higher frequencies are more powerful and have a broader reach than lower ones do.

Wanting change isn’t enough though. True change requires commitment; we must want the new state more than the effort it takes in order to continue despite fear and discomfort, long past the spirit in which the intention was set.

Start with one thing and stick to it. Start now.

David-Jakes-on-Change-2.jpg.scaled.1000-400x533My Personal Shift: Raising My Own Vibe

Since I began reconnecting to reiki (over a span of about 3 months), many internal changes have happened for me, which then in turn, manifest outwardly. I can then, honestly say, that I’m changing my life from the inside out.

I’ve adopted a new perspective on my health that is not focused on weight-loss but rather, on body awareness and self-care. I deserve health and so, I lovingly and happily develop newer habits that benefit my overall health. This lead me to recommit to my yoga practice. I see myself as responsible, as opposed to guilty. I’ve also started using MyFitnessPal as a guide, not as an ultimate tool. To me, it helps show me habits that are beneficial and it encourages me to focus on those. I even run a little (and I use to only run if I was being chased or if I was about to miss the bus). Deeper the realization still; health to me, is a wheel, a holistic system.

I’ve also decided to break up with guilt and crazy-making. If I make a decision to do something, I don’t beat myself up about not doing another. I stand by my choices, but I’m not afraid to adjust when necessary. I try to respect my rich personal time and honour it with reading, music, writing… whatever my heart needs.

I’m feeling a huge draw towards simplification. I do not want to spend my life cleaning, sorting and accumulating “stuff”. It’s been a journey and it’s not over. I have to frequently remind myself that I am making a conscious choice in shedding layers, years of debilitating beliefs and enslaving decisions. It’s not too late to make a change. But I’m patient with myself.

I am actively aware of my emotions and my moments of ‘unconsciousness’, also known as the moments when the ego takes over. I am learning to forgive in a different way; out of compassion for others but also for myself.

VibeTribeOne of the results is that my social circle is changing. As they say, “your vibe attracts your tribe.” I am gaining incredible insights through new friends and acquaintances. Even my work environment’s completely changed and reflects a new dynamic. I see all these changes as beneficial and as results of personal work. I am creating in my outside world, the inner world I have nourishing.

I am on a journey to make time for stillness. One form this takes for me is yoga, but I practice this every time I practice reiki as well. The place of no mind is filled with great peace. I enjoy Elizabeth Gilbert‘s quote on the mind in her upcoming book #BigMagic… (seriously, I can’t wait for that book to launch!)

Possessing a creative mind is like having a border collie for a pet; if you don’t give it a job to do, it will find a job to do – and you might not like the job it invents.
– Elizabeth Gilbert

My own journey is showing me, in a relatively short period, that true change begins within. I may not be where I want to be, but I am where I need to be right now. And that’s a beautiful thing because I see the bounty of lessons and growth available to me. I also see my power and I can no longer doubt it. I wish I could share this feeling with you and you would not doubt yourself either. Try it. Raise your vibe.

How Choices Make You Happier

I’ve learned a really difficult lesson this year. Among many tough realizations, I’ve learned that choices are healthy.

Having many options to choose from, reviewing them, making a commitment to a choice and sticking to it. It’s all part of a very intentional process. It’s a process that fosters awareness and cultivates mindfulness.

I’m someone who likes to learn a LOT, do a LOT, be everywhere, travel to new places, master skills right away… and of course, this isn’t possible simultaneously. Most people need to work at refining their skills, as do I. Most people learn over time and practice. I’m no exception. I often wish I could just *know* something already.

Can’t I just, hold this guide book against my forehead and absorb it?

We can travel many places, but not all at once. We can only be in one place at a time. I think that this “buffer” between our minds and our immediate realities is healthy. It often protects us from wasting time and energy doing things we’d truly regret or it helps us avoid doing something that would keep us from doing something we’d love more. I suppose, this could also be linked to “manifesting”. This teaches me patience and not to “rush” life, because here and now is what I’ve got..

Probably that one of the best examples where I have difficulty choosing in my life is in my relationship with books. I love them! I want to read them all! I want to know the stories of the world! I am easily distracted when it comes to which books to read, because each book is a story that is fascinating and full of adventure, hope and opportunity. I have a reading problem… I read many, many books at once. Although, in itself, this isn’t a problem, what is an issue is that if I start a novel or a non-fiction book, I need to make it to the end. I need to consciously choose to make that my “main” read at one time. Otherwise, I’ll never finish it.

yogagirl_US-coverMy friends have this running joke that I’ll never finish reading Le Parfum, by Patrick Suskind. It’s true! At this point, I’ve given up. I just don’t like it enough. I’m choosing to commit to other books that are either more my idea of “light reading” or more my idea of “inspirational reading”. Right now, I’m reading Yoga Girl by Rachel Brathen (non-fiction) and I’m finishing up the first book in the Beautiful Creatures (fiction) series. I know… Everyone needs variety!

Money, money, money…

This year, I’ve also learned how to properly budget, despite being close to 30. I guess you could call me a financial late bloomer. How did I ever get by without using this basic skill? Apparently, I’m not the only woman, or the only Gen Y for that matter.

Money is a great servant but a terrible master.

ynab4_icon

You Need A Budget – Great App!

Learning how to manage my own money has been a step in self-care, acceptance and love. I am worthy of a stress-free financial life. For me, this meant re-evaluating my needs, my lifestyle preferences and my medium and long-term goals. For me, it meant making a new habit and loving what it did for me. I guess you could call it my little financial fitness awakening.

We’ve all heard “You can’t have it all”. Actually… real life for go-getters goes more like this:

“You can’t have it all at once, but you can have most of what you want, *if* you think differently about how that looks for you.”

Then what do we want most and how do we enjoy it?

Knowing I can’t possibly be everywhere, do everything, know everything, own everything…it releases the pressure of expectations I set for myself. Without pressure, there’s freedom. With freedom, there’s responsibility. My responsibility is to myself to build a life that reflects who I am and what I love. For me, it means buying less to do more, scheduling less to leave room for spontaneity and tea with friends.

Our choices lead us to experiences that cost us time, energy and limit us to a space in time. No one knows how long they’ve really got on Earth. Some of our choices also cost us in dollars. This seemingly adds another layer to our decision-making. In truth, no matter the factors to consider, the steps should lead back to us, to our centre. Don’t we want our lives to be our works of art? Don’t we want our lives to be a reflection of who truly are inside? In essence, the process enhances mindfulness.

What matters to me right now? Does this decision respect my core values?

Someone who can make choices with which he or she is at peace is leads his or her life artfully, from their heart-centre. Commitment easily follows choices that honour our personal truths. Having to make choices helps me refocus as I come back to my values, priorities and goals.

When we chose consciously, we better appreciate what we have and ultimately, we know ourselves better.

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