By Cristie Gardner

Lessons from the COVID-19 Days:

The pandemic brought countless unexpected changes, twists, and turns to our planned paths. It affected each of us differently. Some, especially introverts, enjoyed the time in relative solitude. Others longed desperately for conversation, hugs, and connection without masks or distance.

I spoke with my sister-in-law about how she was coping. She took the time to organize her garage and sort through long-stored boxes. She found joy in deep cleaning and relished the result—beautiful, organized shelves. Others used the downtime to read, tackle long-postponed projects, and transform travel plans into imaginative armchair adventures. Some embraced the changes with curiosity; others struggled with the unfamiliarity, feeling disoriented and frustrated.

It all comes down to the vibrations we tune into.

Have you ever watched a show that ended with, "Thanks for tuning in!" or heard the Beach Boys sing, "Good Vibrations"? Or maybe you've been told to apply ice to a sprain, or you've sensed the emotional energy shift when someone enters a room. All these moments remind us that the Law of Vibration is constantly in motion—24/7.

Everything vibrates. Every object, every person. As beings with divine potential, we can choose thoughts and actions that raise or lower our vibration. Rocks, windows, desks, trees, birds—all of it vibrates. Vibration defines the essence of everything around us.

This became crystal clear when an unexpected earthquake hit Utah. It began with a massive "BAM!"—like a freight train hitting the house—followed by the eerie, rolling motion of the floor. Then came aftershocks. Soon, Idaho experienced an even stronger quake. The earth was literally in motion. But in truth, it always is.

Even Utah's majestic arches are vibrating. As Riley Finnegan from the University of Utah explained, "Because nothing is truly static, there is always energy propagating throughout the earth, which serves as a constant vibration source for the rock."

Higher beings make intentional choices, and their vibrations reflect that. Lower vibrations come from fear, anger, judgment, and criticism, and they can be hard to be around. But we aren't helpless against the energy around us. We can shift the frequency with our thoughts—especially with gratitude.

Genevieve Gerard said, "Just as thoughts send out vibrations to which there is a creative and attractive power, gratitude stimulates the field of etheric energy that surrounds you on a subtle level to bring into your life more of what brings you joy."

The Law of Vibration is beautifully demonstrated when tuning two string instruments. Pluck one string, and the other—if tuned—will vibrate in response. Similarly, in an orchestra, performers "tune up" to align their vibrations and create harmony.

Radio waves vibrate around us constantly. We hear a specific station only when we tune in to its frequency. But all the other stations are still there, still vibrating. Our ability to focus, to choose what we tune into, is miraculous.

This is why we sometimes instantly click with people, or feel uneasy around others. It’s all about the frequencies we emit. With empathy, we can learn to match or gently raise the vibration of someone else. Animals do this naturally, sensing love or hostility with ease.

Suzy Kassem once said, "If our vibrations are bad, [Mother Earth] reacts to it, as do all living creatures." 

So instead of only focusing on trying to save the earth, which operates in congruence to our vibrations, I think it is more important to be one with each other. If you really want to remedy the earth, we have to mend mankind. And to unite mankind, we heal the Earth. That is the only way. Mother Earth will exist with or without us. Yet if she is sick, it is because mankind is sick and separated. And if our vibrations are bad, she reacts to it, as do all living creatures. If life throws you a few bad notes or vibrations, don't let them interrupt or alter your song.”

One of the interesting takeaways from the Law of Vibration is what happens when vibrations surround us that do not normally operate at a familiar frequency with our bodies. For example, the extended use of technology can cause interference in relationships. The "ding" on devices that indicates a new message or alert is interruptive and can cause distractions (read that dis-track-tions) that get us off track, especially when we have been vibrating at a frequency that is in harmony with our loved ones and then the vibration suddenly changes.

Brandon T. McDaniel, the lead of a study at Pennsylvania State University, in January 2015 said, "It seems kind of like individuals are placing their technology above their partner. Even if it is unintentional or only for a brief moment, it can possibly sow a little bit of conflict into the romantic relationship or make the partner feel a little less valued in that moment." His study states that overall, those who rated themselves as experiencing more technoference in their relationship also reported more frequent conflict over technology use, more depressive symptoms, lower life satisfaction, and lower relationship satisfaction. It is difficult to have meaningful conversation with, pay attention to, and truly listen to one’s partner when daily interactions are intermittently interrupted by technology, the study states. Suggestions for enhancing those relationships included keeping our technology on silent, away from immediate access during those times we have arranged to really connect with each other, and setting "no phone" times, when people can talk without technoference.

Many years ago, my husband, a medical doctor, and I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Bernie Siegel speak at a conference... Dr Siegel, a renowned pediatric surgeon, brought music (positive vibrations) into his operating room. His method caused an outcry until the surgical staff noticed more successful surgeries in less time, with faster recovery. Dr. Siegel also introduced art therapy with his patients, again with remarkable success. Vibration creates color. It creates a way for people to work through their negative emotions and replace them with healing ones. Jacqueline Ripstein said, “Colors are vibrating light energies, each “color ray” produces a sound that affects matter.”

Dr. Siegel's influence on vibrational medicine in his surgeries had a profound effect on this editor who was suffering with breast cancer: Editor’s Note: I received this timely submission in May 2017 from famed author and surgeon Dr. Bernie Siegel. I had just been told I had breast cancer by a doctor of radiology who did not choose her words wisely. I was not in a good place and every day was a blur as I grasped my new reality. I tucked the essay away and held on to it selfishly as if it were written just for me. Throughout treatment, my ongoing recovery and every conversation with dozens of care providers in between, I thought often about his advice to “love life, love my body and have faith.” Even so, perspective can be elusive in times of crisis. These seven months later, I see it was beyond coincidence that the Dr. Siegel sent this essay for Today’s Practitioner. It’s time to share his inspirational words with all of you. Thank you Dr. Siegel for giving me hope. Your kindness, humor, love and inspiration will forever be in my heart. ~ Kimberly Lord Stewart, Editor and Director of Content, Today’s Practitioner

Everything is connected through vibration. We become not just what we think about, but what we think about creates a vibration that attracts to us what our very thoughts are creating. Sometimes it takes a while (and for that we will talk later about the law of gestation), but as we send out the vibrations that harmonize with what we seek, what we seek is being drawn to us. Our phones work through vibration. Our blender works through electrical vibration.

Now all of this might sound a little "woo woo," but it's real. I have seen it happen countless times. And if I'm in a funk and can't talk myself out of it, I can change my mindset and what I am vibrating by introducing a different, more powerful vibration into my environment. Going through the Ups and Downs of life allow us to experience some powerful lessons about our choices and how they affect us.

Nikki Rowe said, “We as human beings lower our vibration every time we react with the emotional attachment of what is only supposed to be a lesson through life.” and Hina Hashm adds, “Negative experiences lower our personal vibrations and we feel bad. This state attracts more negative experiences leading to negative vibrations. Lower vibes are bad for health of the soul.”

Remember the story about Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho? Joshua's people tramped in rhythm around the walled city of Jericho once a day for six days. Each time they walked priests blew trumpets. On the seventh day they circled seven times and the walls of the city came crashing down. Back then, they probably didn't understand the Law of Vibration, but God certainly did!

In Lancaster, California, and on a stretch of Route 66 in New Mexico, rumble strips create a vibration that plays a song as cars drive over the roads. In Lancaster, drivers get to hear a rather flat version of the William Tell Overture, and in New Mexico, drivers are treated with America the Beautiful. How fun to use the law of vibration to help drowsy drivers get focused and enjoy a stretch of road! The same principle is used in phonograph records, where a needle picks up the vibrations and converts them into sound.

Nikola Tesla said, "If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."

From CT scans to hot/cold therapies, conventional and holistic medicine use vibration daily. Our higher brain has the power to override primal instincts and create new realities—but only if we align our vibration with our intentions.

Our reptilian brain, or primal brain, is only focused on immediacy and primitive drives, like hunger, thirst, fear, protection, and territory. The higher brain chooses its thoughts to serve your higher purposes. Many of us are not living our best lives right now. We are not living up to our potential, to the best version of ourselves. We can live better, do more, and be happier. We have the power to change our reality, and attract what we want. To do that, we need to start by raising our vibration to match the vibration of what we wish to attract.

Amaka Imani Nkosazana said, “Positive energy radiates from every word you share to a magnitude that can not be measured on scale. The vibrations he sends your way are received and absorbed into the very core of your existence. The power within his words quench the areas of your spirit that only God knows. Mortality thrives on the very essence of Godly Love.”

From personal experience and a lot of research, I came to recognize the importance of raising your vibration and how to do it. I explain some of the most powerful ways to raise your vibration to live a more positive, meaningful life. By becoming the best version of yourself, you can also help others do the same, and ultimately lead humanity to a more positive place.

This afternoon, I was visiting with a dear friend online and we were both commenting on how different things are right now, and it's kind of thrown a curve ball to those of us who keep a pretty even keel when it comes to our optimistic attitudes.

Here are 9 ways to raise your vibration:

1. Be aware of your environment – Surround yourself with positive people and energy. Remove toxic influences.

2. Spend time in nature – Being outdoors naturally lifts your frequency. Grounding, hiking, even caring for animals helps.

3. Be mindful of your thoughts – Your self-talk matters. Compassionate thinking shifts your energy.

4. Find joy in forgiveness – Let go of heavy emotions. Forgiveness releases you to rise higher.

5. Have fun – Embrace your inner child. Appreciate the little things.

6. Focus on what you want – Stop energizing lack. Focus on what you’re creating.

7. Practice gratitude – Gratitude lifts every situation. It multiplies the good.

8. Love yourself – Accept both your light and shadows. Be your own ally.

9. Fuel your body well – Nourish yourself with foods that support vitality and clarity.

Let go of the victim mindset. Choose what you tune into. You have the power to shift.

Erik Pevernagie said, "Everything melts down into a new mystery since 'now' will never come back, and 'tomorrow' is uncharted territory."

But guess what? We get to make the map.

And that map begins with the vibration we choose right now.

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