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While I was gone, a new social bookmarking site came to life, High Vibe It. I think it’s a great idea for selfish and altruistic reasons. First, my stories finally get the glory that they deserve. Just kidding :-) Second, there’s another repository of uplifting information, another step towards changing the world.

In the meantime, I was tagged by a few High Vibers to get off my rump and share with you how I keep my vibes up. There was Andy from the Daily Positive, Belle from Abundance Journal, and the mother of it all, Cardin from the Optimist Lab.

Establish a Spiritual Practice

Back in September last year, I started the self-designed Life Transformation Program. As part of that program, I committed to meditate every day. The practice truly transformed my life. I started off with silent meditation, experimented with chanting, and today I free form journal (I let my thoughts empty on the page until I shift).

I take time everyday to be still. I spend a few minutes living in Spirit. When I walk into the world, I feel like I a wrapped in it. On some days, I get the special treat of staying in that space regardless of the circumstances of the day. It is eliminating my lens on life. I feel like I have less crap between the world of the Infinite and the world in which I move.

Choose Your Mood

Yes, it is possible and it’s not denial. I don’t choose to feel terrific all the time, but I don’t get swept up in runaway emotions either. It starts with knowing that there is a choice, then being aware of your emotions in the moment, then arresting them when it’s not the way you want to go.

I started paying special attention because it was affecting how much I ate. I wanted to stop eating emotionally, then I realized that I didn’t have to be sucked in at all. I could really turn that sucker around. Sometimes, I deliberately ride sadness or anger beyond just moving through the feeling so that I could use it to move into action. However, they no longer dictate how my day is going to go.

Eliminate Television

Since I moved and got rid of 80% of my junk, I’ve not had a television. I now have extra time and energy. I really didn’t think that television was sucking up so much of my attention because I only watched 30 - 60 minutes a day before giving it up completely. However, I now eat mindfully. I enjoy doing nothing. Best of all, I’ve tapped into a creative side of myself that I didn’t think existed. I have the time and energy to do the things I love, to build relationships, and to engage in activities I never had the chunk of time to delve into.

I used to think that television was my veg time. However, I feel much more renewed and refreshed if I sit for 15 minutes on my porch watching the rain fall than I ever felt after a Sex and the City marathon. And I LOVE Sex and the City!

Commune with Like Minds

If you like adventure sports, find the places where adventurous people hang out and spend your time there.

I like smart, spiritual people. My favorite places are classrooms and sanctuaries. I get a healthy dose of the latter most weeks. I fill my weeks with lunch dates and evening engagements with people who are also exploring their spiritual lives and working in that arena. These dates fuel me. They are a constant reminder of my true passions.

Enjoy the moments of your life by spending them with people with whom you resonate. Avoid spending time with people who drain you. Life is too short.

Listen to Music

From In The Ghetto by Busta Rhymes, to Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood, to Diary by Alicia Keys, to Jai Jagatambe by Krishna Das, rhythms and melodies fill my heart. There is a song out there for everything I want to say. If there isn’t, some marvelous artist is working on it now. I love music. It’s soothing, and stirring. It’s always there to match my mood or alter it (if that’s what I choose).

During my hiatus there were many, many, many, vibe worthy posts. Here are a few:

Consciously Breaking Up>
Stop Micro-Managing the Universe
The Proper Use of Denials
What Can Happen When You’re Persistent
Embrace Happiness
What Are You Committed To?
Be Someone’s First Friend

In Spirit,
Nneka