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".
   
   
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    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

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