There's an old Chinese blessing and curse that goes something like this... "May you live in interesting times."
Well, for better or worse we certainly are living in interesting times right now. Lately, you can't watch the news or read the paper (oh, come on, you remember the paper don't you?), or log onto your computer without being reminded just how interesting things are in the world.
Wars, failing economies, government instability, oh my! Thanks to 24/7 global media we can know virtually every negative aspect of the human condition, every social injustice and every potential health pandemic out there in 30 minutes or less. It's enough to scare anyone.
But there is another choice. We can choose to focus on love.
I know it may sound counter-intuitive in light of all the "bad" stuff out there, but every time we shift our consciousness from fear to love we raise not only our own vibration, but the global vibration as well.
Never underestimate the power of your own thoughts. Thoughts are the seeds of action that can tear down or build up our society.
Each of us affects to the global consciousness through our own thoughts. And, if enough of us focus on maintaining a vibration of love we CAN tip the scales away from a global consciousness of fear into one of peace, harmony and, you guessed it, LOVE.
I know this sounds big, but the process couldn't be simpler. Here are 3 things you can do today in 5 minutes or less to raise your love vibration.
1. Smile. Especially at a stranger; especially a stranger who seems to be having a rough day. Oh, I know it sounds silly to think that you can change the world by smiling at someone, but I promise you this simple act of kindness can have profound effects in your life and the lives of those your smiles falls upon.
Energy is contagious. That's why it's so easy to sucked into the negative drama we see portrayed on TV and in the lives of others. But when you smile, you send the message to your own psyche and to those around you that the world is a friendly and welcoming place.
Before you know it, people are smiling back. You smile at 3 people, they smile at 3 people - well, you get it. The global love vibe gets bumped up a few notches and everybody wins. So flash those pearly whites folks.
2. Be grateful. One of the best ways connect with love energy is to find things in your life right now that you're grateful for. No matter how desperate things may seem, if we can focus on gratitude for just a few minutes every day our perception will slowly shift until the beauty of life comes more and more into focus.
Some days gratitude is easy. Other days we have to really work for it - on these days, start with the small stuff. "I'm grateful for coffee and clean clothes," or "I'm thankful for snoring dogs and re-runs of House." The point is, it doesn't matter what your grateful for, just be grateful for something.
The more you practice gratitude, the more you'll find you have to be thankful for. Slowly, gratitude will become a habit, a natural state of being for you. And with each thought of gratitude your openness to love increases.
Start right now by writing down just three things you're thankful for. Do this every day until the thoughts of gratitude come to you without your conscious effort.
3. Meditate. Meditation can help us find a calm center during life's storms. And, when we meditate with the intention of opening our heart chakra and raising our love vibration the effects can be pretty phenomenal.
This type of meditation is a magnet for good things. Because when we're in the flow of love, good things move toward us naturally and effortlessly. But don't take my word for it, try it yourself.
To help you get started, go to http://www.wakeupgoddess.com/heart-chakra-meditation.html and listen to my Heart Chakra Meditation now. This meditation only takes 5 minutes, but the positive impact it has on your life will last far longer.
These simple strategies can be a salve to the world and to all those in it - including you. So get out there and spread the love!
Michele McGrew is an ordained minister, spiritual teacher and intuitive who is passionate about helping women discover the spiritual secrets to a more balanced, joyful and empowered life. You can learn more about Michele, her courses, programs and products at www.wakeupgoddess.com.