what’s your vibe?

Today, my Libra Horoscope was about energetic signatures…this term was previously unfamiliar to me. The concept is rather obvious. However, this quote gave me pause to seek more understanding.

“…we put our thought waves and intentions out into the universe, which alters the ways in which we interact with others and the world as a whole.” —Daily OM, October 18th

Einstein said, “Everything in Life is Vibration”. How we treat people, what we share (both verbally and digitally), and our thoughts, words, and deeds all affect our energetic signature and the way the world responds to us.

Our energetic signature is literally how we vibrate, our own personal vibe.

I just spent a delightful and hilarious weekend in Chicago with friends. I’ve been thinking about how these remarkable women make me feel (like a ROCKSTAR). I was literally responding to the hum of their vibrations. We were vibing.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

—Maya Angelou

Years ago I was checking out at the grocery store, moving too quickly, not making eye contact, and acting jittery. The young clerk stopped scanning my items and asked me, “are you OK?”.

My vibration was way off and I made her feel uneasy.

I looked her in the eye, apologized, and slowed down. I hadn’t thought about that incident for a long time. This was a wake-up call to me. We’re all connected to each other and our vibe really matters.

Thankfully our energetic signatures aren’t fixed.

SOURCES:

Merriam Webster.com

energy: dynamic quality

signature: closely and distinctively associated and identified with someone or something

vibration: a characteristic emanation, aura, or spirit that infuses or vitalizes someone or something and that can be instinctively sensed or experienced

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/what-is-your-energy-signature/

Is who you know yourself to truly be – the same energetic message you extend to the rest of the outward world?

wild swimming…

There’s a movement (mostly middle-aged women) in Burlington, Vermont to jump into Lake Champlain regardless of weather conditions. Wild swimming is what they call it in the UK. I love that term, putting “wild” in front of anything makes it more interesting—Wild Netflixing • Wild Potato Chip Eating • Wild Bubble Bathing.

Wild swimming helped me through the pandemic and life’s challenges this year. I took a few dips in Cape Cod Bay as well. Swimming on the north side of Cape Cod didn’t feel all that different in January. Those waters are still cold in July.

I read that it takes roughly six swims in cold water (now the lake is about thirty-nine degrees) for your body to acclimate. I no longer have any hesitation. After a dip I have more clarity and an electric feeling all over. Hey, and a test of bravery that can be completed in about 20 minutes door to door works for me.

Winter swimming would never be something my Dad would’ve considered. However, I often think of him because he appreciated athleticism in any form. I’m quite certain he would’ve loved hearing about my adventures and seeing the photos.

These cold water leaps make me feel athletic, courageous, and a little more capable in other areas of my life too. And now that I’m in what I refer to as the middle-school of adulthood, any way to reduce inflammation seems like a good long-term wellness strategy.

I don’t suffer from diagnosed depression, however, genetically & creatively I do experience more than what I scribbled on a drop cloth many years ago…an episodic hump of the blues. Wild swimming has been a very efficient form of therapy for me.

I’m so grateful for the early swimming adventures with friends that got me hooked. Saturday I took a delightful early morning dip with the friend who got me started in last October. Thank you Parm for introducing me to this crazy sport? activity?

“It brings centering, peace and joy.” —Parm Padgett

Cold water swimming is a mental reset, mad energy and sparkles all over…every single time. —Genevieve Henry, friend & fearless fellow wild swimmer

Thank you to the whole cold water swimming community in Burlington. I’m grateful and proud of maintaining our quirky Vermont reputation. Cheers to many more inspired dips in the future.

Here is a link to a beautiful film by Hannah Maia about womanhood, body image, and the joy of cold water swimming. Thanks for sharing it Katharine.

It’s an incredible endorphin rush. I found that once I had dipped in cold water everyone I met that day looked 10 times more beautiful and the world so much more awesome. It was a real pick me up. —Hannah Maia

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/cold-water-swimming-why-an-icy-dip-is-good-for-your-mental-and-physical-health/