What if you could be the best version of yourself and change the world for the better by living a more vibrant, healthy and energetic life. Not in some sort of Pollyanna or mystical sort of way but in a very real sense, would that add new meaning and importance to how you live?
When I was growing up I used to cry watching the news on T.V or when I’d see people starving to death. I couldn’t understand how humanity couldn’t sort this problem out by working together. I still hold that same level of empathy and compassion for those suffering on this planet. When I told this problem to one of my mentors David Lonebear Sanipass who is the native elder of the Mi’kmaq nation he taught me about spiritual mass and shepherding.
He explained that when a star moves through the universe and passes other stars that there is a shepherding effect and stagnant stars get pulled by the force of the passing star. In the same way as we go about our daily lives we create a shepherding effect as we are observed by every person in our reality, even those who you don’t think are watching.
Many people are looking for the quick fix, secret pill, lose weight while eating Cheetos on the couch type of solution. On the other hand, some of feel like the entire world is on our shoulders and how is it possible for us to change anything. It is easy to get depressed and defeated when you understand the kind of problems and suffering that exists.
So let’s pretend you want to change the world for the better and live a more vital, energetic and happy life, what could you do? The first and most important thing to realize is that by changing your world you literally change the world. By being the living example of vitality you change your universe and it’s the only thing you have any control over. When you take accountability for your life, start being the example your world changes but you also begin the shepherding effect and your family, friends, co-workers, and observers in your world receive the benefit. It is the most powerful and productive thing you can do, furthermore, it’s the only thing you can do.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi
if you were to imagine the entire world was overweight with health problems and wanted to help you could write books about exercise, diet, and nutrition and speak until you were blue in the face. Or you could be the first person on the planet that was fit, strong and vibrant. By setting that example you make infinitely more impact than by preaching about it.
What are the secrets to vitality? There is no secret, we know the secrets but too many of us want the pill or trendy #biohacking method. Here are some timeless and simple secrets to living a more vital life.
Decrease stress: Stress is the number one thing that causes illness and disease in the body. If you can decrease stress you will become more vibrant instantly. The best way to reduce stress is through mastering your perspective, not sweating the small stuff, exercise, and doing things you think are fun. It’s not rocket science; you just may need to reprioritize some things. Alan Watts says that once you realize that you will die, life becomes deathly serious or a fun game, each individual gets to decide what perspective they would like to live by but impermanence is a guarantee.
Perspective: In Viktor Frankl’s incredible masterpiece, Man’s Search for Meaning he says,
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”
You can choose to stress over everything or nothing, you can actually decide to never stress out again. I was invited to a wedding at Burning Man last year and the best man was speaking about his brother. He said that his brother had always impressed him but he did something truly remarkable a couple years ago. He said his brother was in the kitchen stressing over some business stuff one day and he looked him and said, “You know what? I’m not going to stress out anymore, about anything!” His younger brother said it had been two years since he made that statement and he had never observed his brother stress out since, not even a little. The famous author of the Power of Now Eckhart Tolle has a similar type of story. Bottom line, It’s possible.
Take Care of Your Temple: It’s almost frustrating to even write this section because it’s so obvious and so few people do it. We sacrifice our health for so many reasons. Make health, fitness, and vitality a part of your existence. Your body is your home and temple, so take care of it. Find something you love to do, that’s fun and stay active. I don’t need to go on, just do it!
The Big four: As with all things in the universe vitality is vibrational. We’ve all seen those people who glow, regardless of age. They seem to have that sparkle in their eye and it’s unmistakable. Vibrations are moods or feelings. On the lower end stress, anxiety, fear, doubt, complaining, negativity, seriousness, anger is all on the lower end. On the flip side, the highest vibrational states are love, kindness, compassion, joy, and Happiness.
Each day you have an opportunity to impact yourself and the world. The most important thing to remember is that when you take action, your world changes and that’s ultimately the only thing you have control of. Your daily example is the shepherding effect to your loved ones, community, and world. Over a lifetime you share with the were who you truly were and ARE. Practice kindness and compassion to yourself and to everyone you meet daily. Do things every day that make you happy, it’s a measurable vibration. Do an act of kindness every day and watch how the universe responds to undeniable messages and synchronistic events. Many of us are guilty of wanting to change the world but forgetting to support those around us in need. As you move about your day with the intention and spiritual direction to be as loving, kind, compassionate and happy as possible you’ll have a meaningful direction to steer your life. You will inevitably become more vital. If your example allows one other person to change their life for the better, then you will have succeeded in changing the entire world for at least one person. That is powerful, meaningful and may carry an impact that is far greater than you could possibly imagine.
It can be useful to understand that through surrendering to what is and choosing an empowering perspective in all situations we move toward a more empowering life experience It’s not what happens to us in our life that makes us who we are, it’s how we respond to our experiences. The glass being half empty or full is simply a matter of perspective, half full just feels better.
Take some time to reflect on what is truly important in life. Many of you will find that you are giving a great deal of time, mental and emotional energy to things that are not important. You can choose to make your health, vitality, fun and life experience on this planet your number one priority. Equally, you can make accumulating wealth, winning and living with a false sense of security your mission. Life is an extraordinary miracle. You have the power to create worlds. When it’s all said and done live a life that you are proud of. The universe is on your side. Don’t compromise for anything, be the example, change the world. YOUR WORLD!