Can you feel the new energy abounding as 2025 gets underway—a new vibration that goes beyond world news, personal challenges, or past or future events? It’s in the present moment and promises to get a little bumpy, too. Whenever we are stretching into a greater expression of our authentic selves, it is necessary to let go of old patterns, thoughts and beliefs, and trust that a higher expression of our soul is being activated. 

The concept of “raising our frequency” is associated with personal growth and positive energy. It can be nurtured through practices like expressing gratitude or creativity, meditation, spending time in nature, engaging in positive affirmations, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, surrounding yourself with positive people and engaging in activities that bring you joy. Essentially, you are cultivating a mindset and lifestyle that promotes well-being and positive emotions. 

During the month of February we celebrate love and the heart. This is an opportune time to become more aware of how central love is to everything in our lives. Ultimately, we need to start by loving ourselves, which is no easy feat! When I notice an unloving self-judgment or belief about myself, I try to catch it right away and turn it around by giving myself some extra love. Dropping self-judgment and being kinder to ourselves naturally extends out to others. 

Whether coupled or uncoupled, some people dread the Valentine’s Day hoopla, seeing it as a barometer of how well they are doing in that sector of their lives. I find it a sign of personal empowerment that so many people these days are intentionally choosing to live alone to facilitate deeper personal and spiritual growth. Dr. Joe Dispenza has published extensive scientific evidence showing how having more solitude rewires our neural pathways, enhances brain function and elevates emotional states. Noting that when we’re constantly adjusting our behavior, thoughts, and emotions to maintain homeostasis with another person our brain is splitting it’s resources, but when we are alone our neural network starts firing in perfect synchroncity leading to emotional self-sufficiency. 

Equally well-documented is the value and importance of having authentic, loving friendships of all kinds. In his book The Power of Now, spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle teaches that relationships are not here to make us happy or fulfilled. If we seek our salvation through them, we’ll be disillusioned again and again. On the other hand, if we accept that each relationship is here to make us conscious, instead of happy, then it becomes a key to our spiritual practice. Tolle suggests that whenever a romantic or other partnership is activating some uncomfortableness within, we can thank it for bringing up that what was lying unconscious to the light for healing.

I love the connections I’ve made with so many of our Natural Awakenings readers and advertisers, many have become personal friends and joined my healing team for years. Glancing through this month’s issue you’ll find plenty of people and resources to help you raise your frequency for lighter, more joyful connections and experiences. 

We truly are in this life together, each with the power to help create a more loving world. 

Here’s to spreading the love,

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher