Changing Our Paradigms

According to my favorite web site, dictionary.com, a paradigm is, "an example serving as a model or a pattern". Our world is filled with many types of paradigms: social, cultural, and most importantly, personal, and these paradigms become the framework and filters through which we experience the world. Our personal paradigms form the foundations for our belief systems and whether we realize it or not we live our lives according to the paradigms we've created or subscribed to.

For example, many of us have subscribed to the paradigm of what is means to work: to make a living by contributing to society through organized effort based on preconceived structures and business models. We "go to work" for someone - a business, an organization, an existing entity, from which we receive money - a form of reciprocal energy - for the giving of our time and talents, and we use this money to pay for the expenses our lives incur. This paradigm supports our capitalistic western society and has been the foundation for the concept of employment for hundreds of years.

So? You say. What's the big deal? What's wrong with that? There is nothing wrong with anything - but I do find myself wondering why I have subscribed to the western paradigm of work. What about creating a business for myself and receiving money from it? Do I need to work for someone else? Is subscribing to this belief serving me? Did it, perhaps, serve me at one time but is no longer helpful? And am I limiting my potential by continuing to believe this paradigm? In March of 2009, I penned a blog entry about writing a Business Plan for My Life in which I dove into the topic of work and living out your passion.  

As a lifelong learner and seeker of my own interpretation of truth I often seek to challenge the paradigms I'm currently experiencing, whether they are mine or others. Why? Because I can. In my willingness to resist the status quo and seek out my own answers and meaning behind the pre-existing structures and beliefs in my world, I exercise my ability to explore options and "buck" the traditional system - and to experience being truly present. To be willing to challenge what I "know" in lieu of potentially discovering something new about myself - in short, to keep learning.

As Leonardo da Vinci expressed it: "Everything connects to everything else." If my belief systems are, indeed, connected to my experience, then paying attention to the results of my experience will allow me to decide whether changes in my beliefs are necessary. According to the Teachings of Abraham, "a belief is only a thought you keep thinking." If a belief no longer serves you, choose a new thought - create a new belief. You can read more about this from Esther and Jerry Hicks, authors of the Law of Attraction.

So what does this mean? It means that I have the power to choose and change my paradigms. Our power of choice is the greatest gift we can utilize in our entire lifetime. Challenging our paradigms is just one example of taking control of our lives and allowing ourselves to play larger - to step further into our potential. If you are not happy with the results your life is showing you, choose again! Connect with your mind, body and spirit; align your thoughts, feelings and intuition; and activate your power of choice and begin to truly bring more balance to your life. It's your choice.

Happy Spring!

The Ambassador

A Spirit of Gratitude

Thank you. Merci. Gracias. Tak. Kiitos. Mahalo. Shukriya. Danke. Grazie. Dhanyabaad. Shukran. Salamat. Just some of the many languages in which I've had the privilege of learning how to say, "Thank you". Giving thanks is an expression of gratitude, which is a critical step in the giving and receiving cycle - it completes the loop.

So, what is the loop, you ask? The loop is the cycle that begins and completes the flow of conscious creative energy. In other words, the act of manifesting a unique experience through the process giving and receiving. But do all our these experiences turn out to be happy and joyful? Not so much. Well, at least not a first... but therein lies the role of gratitude - it allows us to change our perspective.

For example, the other day I was sitting with a friend and we were talking about her dissatisfaction with her current job. When she first started this job she was very happy with the opportunity - the environment appeared to support her, the job itself was fulfilling, and she felt comfortable with the leadership. Her decision felt well balanced. Over time, however, the circumstances in her work environment changed. Now she felt constricted rather than expanded; her manager chose to lead using fear-based behaviors, like control and anger, over supportive and empowering actions; and she lost interest in the job itself. This, unfortunately, is not uncommon for many of us. She realized the situation had become imbalanced.

So, what to do now? Ah yes... the $100,000 question (which has probably gone up in price since the recent economy swing). As we were talking more about how she was feeling it became apparent she was experiencing what she "doesn't want". When we recognize what we don't want, we start to receive more clarity about what it is we do want - that is, if we're paying attention. Our immediate experiences provide us with contrast, and this contrast gives us the opportunity to make new, higher (more peaceful and comfortable), choices. Whether we choose to change our immediate situation (in this case, quit her job) or consider creating something new in the future (i.e., start looking for a new job), we have the power to change our minds. This decision-making process gives us the opportunity to honor our true desires - our highest intentions - and in return, helps us stay in our integrity. By listening to our intuition we demonstrate respect for ourselves and our choices regardless of the outcome. And respecting ourselves and our choices is the most important action we can take in any experience.

After our conversation I could feel a sense of lightness about her attitude and a sense of gratitude for this "bad" experience she was feeling. By choosing to focus on what we are learning in any given circumstance and expressing our gratitude to recognize it for what it is, our act of thankfulness shifts our feelings of constriction and hopelessness to feelings of freedom and hope. When we expand our minds we expand the choices available to us.

This week I encourage you to pay attention to those moments which disguise themselves as frustrating, aggravating or hopeless and give thanks for the awareness these opportunities are providing you. With a gentle shift in your perspective, you, too, may be able to say "thank you" in any language - especially the language of your heart.

Make 2011 a year of gratitude!

The Ambassador

Winter - by Walter de la Mare

Clouded with snow
The cold winds blow,
And shrill on leafless bough
The robin with its burning breast
Alone sings now.

The rayless sun,
Day's journey done,
Sheds its last ebbing light
On fields in leagues of beauty spread
Unearthly white.

Thick draws the dark,
And spark by spark,
The frost-fires kindle, and soon
Over that sea of frozen foam
Floats the white moon. 

 

Happy Holidays.

  

In The Zone? How Do You Know?

As we approach the end of 2010 I've started to reflect upon the events of the past year and take time to ponder how often I felt in alignment - you know, those periods where I was "in the Zone"... feeling happy, centered, balanced, and high on life. Throughout the year I'd experienced times of great joy, but also a few speed bumps along the road. Moments when I wasn't feeling so happy - times where I was out of alignment - are quite easy to recall. It's not difficult to know when you're not feeling good. It's painful. In hindsight, however, many of those moments have turned out to be the best opportunities for insight and learning.

So what about the happy moments? How do I recognize when I am in the Zone? I pondered that question until I realized that my best moments were when I was paying attention to the results of my attitude. It was all in the feedback - those times when my positive attitude and cheerful disposition were affecting people and circumstances around me. The energy of my well-being was causing a rippling effect in my immediate environment and (what I used to consider) "unusual" things would begin to occur. "Unusual?" you say? Indeed. Well, at least at a point in my experience where these events still appeared unusual, but that was because I hadn't been paying attention long enough to notice the effects of my attitude before.

With that in mind, here is my list of "Top Ten Ways To Know That You're In The Zone"... er, well, that I'm in the Zone, but perhaps these insights will resonate with you as well:

1. Time is Fluid
   Remember moments when you feel like time is standing still? An "eternal moment"? Or perhaps you were hanging out with a good friend, on a vacation, or playing with your cousin as a child, and you suddenly realized three days had passed?! Suddenly the clock is meaningless. Chronological time is skewed. Why is that? Because you were in a state of flow. You were in the Zone.
   
   
2. Music Matches Your Mood
   You're listening to the radio or your iPod and one of your favorite songs starts playing, but suddenly you hear more than just a melody - you hear the words in a way you didn't notice before. They seem to be about what you are experiencing. They are speaking to you. This is especially cool when a tune you've been singing for years suddenly contains a new message - a message just for you. You are given a reminder that song lyrics are poetry to music. Huzzah!
   
   
3. You Become A Magnet
   Your vibration is strong. And everyone has a vibration that is unique and powerful. When you are in the Zone, feelings of happiness and joy will flow out of you like a radio broadcast sending waves of Goodwill to everyone and everything around you. Law of Attraction is responding to your frequency and delivers things in response to your feelings (by the way, this is always happening). If you pay attention to this process, you will remember that you are, truly, the creator of your reality.
   
   
4. Things Come (and Go) Your Way
   When you are in the Zone and Law of Attraction is bringing you those things you want and desire, your day is full of green lights, friendly people, and parking spaces. Your continued feelings of happiness and joy create "like" responses. Like attracts like!
   
   
5. Happiness Is Easy
   Being in the Zone is being happy. And being happy is the most important thing we can do to maintain our good health and good relationships. Happiness is a natural state of being. Being in the Zone is a natural and normal response to accepting and allowing things to be "as they are". Relax, breathe, and allow. Life is good.
   
   
6. You're "Out of Your Mind"... and It Feels Nice
   Our minds are a useful tool for solving problems, analyzing information, recalling facts and figures, and making decisions. But true happiness doesn't come from thinking. When you're in the Zone, heart and soul are driving the car. Give your mind a well-deserved rest! Let it take a nap in the back seat for a while - you can always wake it up at the next pit stop (or not... :o)
   
   
7. You Begin Within
   The creative process does not occur from the outside in (that is the "reactive" process... move the "c"). When you are in the Zone your motivation comes from within. Now you are using your energy to create your experience based on how you feel - and that is working from the inside out. And that is the essence of the creative process.
   
   
8. Problems Become Opportunities
   Remember what it feels like when you're having a good day? "Oops, my pencil broke. But, hey look - now I have two!" When you're in the Zone, happiness takes over. What may previously been considered a problem is now an opportunity, challenge, or advantage. Either way, it's easily overcome. Remember: it all starts (and ends) with your attitude.
   
   
9. Senses Are Heightened
   Remember the feeling of being in love? Suddenly everything is wonderful - food tastes better, music sounds clearer, colors appear richer and more pronounced. Being in the Zone can trigger the same responses of well-being that love does, for it is love which you are feeling - love that comes from connection to Source energy. Connecting with yourself is re-connecting to love within you - being in the/z "One".
   
   
10. _________________________________________________
    (This space intentionally left blank)
    What is it for you? How do you notice when you're in the Zone? What do you choose to do/say/be/choose which keeps you happy, balanced and centered? Remember it always is, truly, your choice.

Putting yourself into a feeling of happiness and balance will always serve you. Choose to get in the Zone today and experience the benefits!

Happy Holidays.

The Ambassador

The Fear Factor

Unlike the TV program, The Fear Factor, facing our fears usually doesn't involve eating strange exotic bugs or surviving potential suffocation underwater while millions of people watch. Rather, our fears come to us in little annoying thoughts and messages... but sometimes we'd rather eat fat juicy spiders than face our fears. Why? Because we "fear" our fears.

Fear is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, our fears are merely information - signals to pay attention. It's how we respond to that information which makes the biggest difference and the largest impact on our well-being.

So let's apply the topic of fear to the Balance Factor awareness of mind, body and spirit. When we stay only in our minds, we have the potential to take our fears and create all sorts of “thoughts” about them. When we try and think ourselves through our fears we often create more fears in the process. What happens when you are afraid of talking to someone about a sensitive matter? You may create all sorts of their responses based on what you "think" they might say (which may help you prepare to speak to them), but after some good brainstorming we may be more nervous than before. Our minds start going in a hundred different directions based on the "what if..." question. Suddenly our concerns have turned to panic.

What about taking our fear a step deeper? Whereas our minds bring us thoughts, our hearts bring us the feelings surrounding our fears. When we bring our fears into our hearts and examine our feelings, we have the opportunity to see how many of our fears are, in fact, unfounded or silly. Perhaps just paranoia or misunderstanding. Many of our fears are based in the future or the past (I can’t believe I did that… what was I thinking? Or the "woulda should coulda" path). Sometimes we can use our feelings to help direct our responses to fear, but many times our emotions get the best of us and suddenly we're not able to think reasonably. And, once again, our fears take control.

There is an additional level of awareness that brings the most, and deepest, meaning to our fears and that is our spirit - our intuition. Spirit can bring our fears out of the darkness of doubt and into the light of truth. What do you really "know" about the fear are you feeling? How do your thoughts and feelings line-up with your intuition? What really feels true about the situation? Bringing our fears down into our center - becoming aware of our inner knowingness and trusting that gut feeling in our intuition, we now have the ability to tap a deeper level of understanding - our core beliefs - our inner truth.

When we are aware of our thoughts, feelings, and intuition, we have access to the most information from which to create our responses, which in turn create our reality. When we are in alignment with our body, mind, and spirit we can take each into consideration and activate our response based on a new pool of information. That, indeed, will help us to take our fears and deal with them logically, emotionally, and intuitively.

And all without having to eat bugs. Well, not unless you're into that :o)

Namaste,

The Ambassador

The Benefits of Silence

"Shhhh... be a quiet for a minute. I need a moment to think."
"Let's take a moment of silence to remember this occasion."
"It was in the silence that I found the answer."

The benefit of silence. It is something we all experience at different times and in different forms. Sometimes we create it; other times we simply notice it... we notice that it's already there - it's always there, but we just stop long enough to notice it - to actually hear it.

But what really is silence? Is it anything at all or is it nothing? But isn't "nothing" something? Um, what? Nothing? Something? Exactly. Nothing is something. It the absence of what is - it is the contrast to what we can perceive as some-thing. It exists and takes the place of other activities or events when "no other thing" is going on. It is no-thing. Let me frame it this way: think back to when you were 8 years old and you just got home from school and all you wanted was to "do nothing"? Ahhh - now, perhaps, you understand the value of doing nothing. It's time away from doing something, anything.

So where does silence fit into all this? Because silence is a powerful tool when you use it. That moment of silence contains power - and it also contains healing. The mind, body and spirit want to be active, but they also need downtime - time to be "rebooted" so-to-speak. Finding silence is the basis for meditation and all other forms of relaxation techniques to get us out of minds and bodies and into our spirits - to let our heads and hearts take a well-deserved break and allow our spiritual nature (which is a "natural" part of us) to be refreshed as well. Silence can be found through the act of doing nothing, but also comes when you eliminate the stimuli of your environment. It will require that you find a quiet space and be still: quiet your thoughts, calm your emotions, and relax your body - all parts of your human "doing". This will allow you to reconnect to your spirit - your human "being". Silence then becomes fuel for the soul.

Reconnecting with your spiritual energy brings your mind, body and spirit into better alignment - better balance. This gives you clearer access to your intuition and feelings, which are the languages of the soul. Mind, body, spirit working in harmony and unity are the key to finding your balance factor.

This week take time to find a quiet space and enjoy some of the benefits of silence. Allow your spirit to be refreshed by quieting your head, calming your heart, and tuning into your spirit.

Be Well,

The Ambassador

A Body in Balance

When we think about body balance the first thing that usually comes to mind is our physical health - diet, exercise, health and wellness - everything that affects our body’s natural physical balance. Remember that "we are what we eat and drink, feel and think”. Inside or out, our sense of balance starts with how we view and respond to ourselves.

A healthy body is the result of a healthy balance between diet and exercise. Now I don’t mean “diet” in the way of starving ourselves and eating rabbit food, but making healthy and nutritious choices. And three words: water, water, water. Oh, and did I mention water? (more on that later).

In the spirit of body balance, let’s focus today on exercise. We need to exercise. Let me repeat that. We need to exercise. Why? Because the body was meant to be in motion. Sure – there’s plenty of time for rest, but lack of movement is one of the single biggest contributors to poor health. Get moving! If you are already exercising, great! Keep it up. If you need some motivation, start with baby steps - seriously... just start putting one foot in front of the other.

So whether you go for a morning walk or work out at a gym regularly, here are a few simple and useful tips to help you move towards a more balanced body:

1.    Stretch: Stretch Before and After Exercise

Take a few minutes to stretch both before and after you exercise and you may decrease the risk of injury to your muscles and increase your flexibility. This also allows the blood to move into the muscles more quickly. Try to hold your stretch, without bouncing, for 10 seconds or more to receive maximum benefit.

2.    Stay Motivated: Bring a Friend or Mr. Music With You!

Keeping yourself motivated to exercise can be one of the biggest challenges of a healthy exercise routine. Find a friend who will exercise with you or purchase an MP3 player or iPod (my favorite motivational tool) and let the music keep you moving! There’s nothing like great music to get, and keep, your body in motion.

3.    Mix It Up: Change Your Routine Regularly

Be sure to change the different ways you exercise every 2-3 months or your body will adjust to the medium and you will plateau. Providing your body with changing sources of stimuli is good. For weight training, try to find a nice blend of free weights, exercise machines, and other body training equipment. Most health clubs will have a variety of this equipment for you to try and discover what works best with your body. For conditioning, try a variety of activities; walking and running (both outside and on a treadmill—they’re very different!), aerobics, biking (both outside and stationary), step machines, and other cardio equipment. To calm and soothe the body, try yoga.  Whatever you do, mix it up! Try something new and listen to how your body responds.

4.    Rest: Balance Physical Exercise with Rest

Be sure to balance exercise with plenty of rest. This includes both during your exercise session as well as throughout your week. Rest is critical. Listen to your body and respond to its messages. And remember to allow your body time to respond to any changes you introduce: if you’re trying to get in better physical shape, slower changes last much longer than fast ones!

5.    Calendar It: Make a Date

My friend Honoree always says, “If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not gonna happen!” That is so true when it comes to exercising. Schedule it on your calendar and be sure to write it down. Treat exercise like an appointment with your body—the most important client you will ever have! This not only builds good habits but shows commitment to yourself and your goals. And, most importantly—keep the date. Don’t stand yourself up. Remember: this is a lifelong relationship, so give it your best.

Be Well and Happy Spring!

The Ambassador