Let it begin with me

We’ve all heard the song, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Written as a hymn in 1957, it’s been sung by everyone from school children to Mahalia Jackson and Vince Gill. We all desire peace, in our homes and in the world, but what does it really mean to ‘let it begin with me?’

Old problem, new solution

These days, we complain about the violence in everything from the news and social media to movies and video games. There’s no denying that, but violence existed way before technology did.

Pointing fingers at a problem doesn’t solve it. The more we focus on what’s going on ‘out there,’ the more it grows. Plus, it distracts us from our real source of personal power, which exists inside.

Over a century ago, quantum physicists observed that our bodies are comprised of energy particles that constantly move, vibrate, and respond to the external environment. Meaning, at a microscopic level, nothing in the universe is solid matter, including our physical bodies.

We’re basically a mini constellation of vibrating energy particles interacting within an even more massive constellation of vibrating energy particles called the universe. And each one of our little vibrating bodies impacts the broader collective in ways we may not even realize.

That’s where we find the power in ‘let it begin with me.’

Owning our energy

You’ve also likely heard the phrase, “we’re responsible for the energy we bring into the room.”

Based on quantum theory, that energy doesn’t just stay in the room. Because energy has no bounds, we share our energy with the world around us.

So, how can we take responsibility for the energy we create and share?

The watchtower within

The three pounds of gray matter in our heads has more power that we realize. The brain is like a watchtower for the body, constantly interpreting input from the environment and signaling our bodies how to react, emotionally and physically.

For example, when we feel fearful, our brains signal the body to release the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline which, in turn, signal us to protect ourselves by running or hiding or whatever.

But if fear turns into chronic anxiety, these stress hormones continue to flood our systems. And that causes all kinds of issues in the body in the form of disease and dysfunction.

We can’t help but wonder, if chronic stress (which affects millions of people today) takes such a terrible toll on our bodies (and we share our energetic output with the whole) what’s the impact on the world around us? Well, we’re seeing those results all around us.

The good news is that we have the power to influence the watchtower in surprisingly simple ways.

Those good vibrations

The concept of owning our energy is one of the ideas that inspired the name of this blog. It’s a regular reminder of the power we have to manage our vibrational energy to create and attract what we desire.

Plus, Good Vibrations is also the title of one of my all-time favorite songs by The Beach Boys. Of course, Brian Wilson’s lyrics are about how wonderful we feel when we’re falling in love. And that’s one of the ways we can raise our vibrational energy.

Some say that fear, not hate, is the opposite of love. So, while chronic fear, anxiety, and negativity generate damaging effects, love has the power to create the opposite.

Love heals all wounds

When we feel love, our brains signal the release of the ‘happy hormones’ oxytocin and dopamine.

Together these hormones are powerhouses of healing: they reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, improve memory and bone strength, decrease inflammation, boost motivation, promote better sleep, and generally give us a natural high.

So, imagine the impact that ‘chronic love’ can have on the vibrations we broadcast to the world around us!

Not just the romantic love that inspires artists like Brian, but the loving feelings generated by expressing gratitude for our friends, pets, nature, art, and most importantly, ourselves.

Be the ball

Unfortunately, many of us are at war with ourselves and don’t even realize it. In fact, one in 15 of us has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, which is when the body actually attacks itself. Traditional medicine hasn’t found a cure.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gabor Mate, an expert on mind/body health, notes a clear correlation between emotional stress and chronic diseases like these disorders.

Most of our negative thoughts are just fear in disguise. We’re afraid of being rejected or failing or not measuring up. If we want to heal ourselves and the world, we need to nurture those ‘good vibrations’ by harnessing the power of love.

“There’s a force in the universe that makes things happen. All you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball.” That’s not a quote from Dr. Mate, it’s actually Chevy Chase’s character in Caddy Shack.

Of course, Ghandi was a bit more succinct with, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”

Pledge to ‘let it begin with me’ by signing a peace treaty and ending the war within.

Break free of the cycle

Many of us grew up believing that being self-deprecating is humorous, harmless, and even a way to be humble. Or, that if we aren’t ‘honest’ about what’s ‘wrong’ with us, we’ll never improve. It’s quite the opposite at the energetic level.

First of all, putting ourselves down only reinforces negative conditioning we likely absorbed from our families, teachers, religion, and the culture. It’s not the truth of who we are. These kinds of thoughts and beliefs lower our vibrations, making it more difficult to attract what we desire.

Remember, spare the rod, spoil the child only creates traumatized children who grow up to be unhealthy adults.

Secondly, whatever we focus on grows. Again, scientists have proven that what we observe or place our attention on expands.

This is why some of us make the same New Year’s resolution year after year. Like a hamster on a wheel, we just can’t seem to make progress.

A resolution for 2023

As our watchtower, our brains are like that 24/7 news channel that feeds us the most disturbing headlines of the day: A whopping 80 percent our mind chatter is negative! Again, this is designed for survival, but it’s not an effective strategy for change and growth.

So, just like switching the channel, we need to intentionally intervene if we want to experience something more positive. The problem is we’re not always aware of the ways we choose fear over love.

Awareness is always the first step to making positive changes. So, make this a resolution: Simply commit to monitoring your thoughts and words. 

For example, begin to notice when you think or say anything derogatory about yourself like “I’m such a loser” or “I’m an idiot” or “I’m too tall/short/fat/skinny/loud/shy/fill in the blank.”

Even the most upbeat of us may be surprised at what we observe.

Clear the cache

As you begin to become aware, take another step forward by replacing these put-downs with compliments that affirm your brilliance, intelligence, and physical magnificence.

If you scoff at this or roll your eyes, it may be time to dig into why.

Clearing the cache in our electronics scrubs away the accumulated clutter that slows its performance. Our mental machines can benefit from the same decluttering of emotional baggage.

Here’s a way to do that. Grab a journal or some paper and write down these questions. Then write whatever comes to mind:

• Where did these negative words, thoughts, and ideas come from?
• Why have I come to adopt them or believe they’re true?
• What are three (or more) examples of how this is not true in my life?

Having trouble answering that last question? Again, that’s because our minds are designed to focus on negative thoughts and beliefs.

But our minds also appreciate a challenge. So, even as we move through our days, examples will pop up in ways we least expect. Take notice and write them down when you can.

Let it begin with me

Psychologist, author, and meditation teacher, Tara Brach, PhD, gave this inspiring YouTube talk on radical acceptance. She shares a story about woman whose mother’s very last words before leaving this world were, “All my life I thought something was wrong with me.”

Painful as that is to hear, the daughter was able to see it as a gift.

It made me think of the loved ones I’d lost who’d also spent their whole lives judging themselves harshly and trying to hide or eradicate all the ways they weren’t good enough.

Meanwhile, they were always more than good enough for the people who loved them. And still do.

This can be a powerful gift for all of us. Don’t wait until the end to discover what your spirit knows now. Resolve to “let it begin with me” by putting down the weaponry and ending the war within. Do it for you, for your loved ones, and everyone you elevate vibrationally and don’t even realize it.

Then, as another brilliant musician wrote, “imagine all the people livin’ life in peace.” Including you.

Want more Good Vibrations?

I’m a holistic life coach who specializes in expressive writing to nurture healing, insight, and creativity. Check out more inspirational articles at my blog, Good Vibrations. For more information about life coaching, visit my website at www.manifestwithmargrita.com. Or email me at [email protected]. I invite you to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, too.