March 9, 2013
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The Better Zone or Where Did I Leave The Zone
They take bites, chew, then throw out random comments.
"Oh man that guy is loosing his mouth guard."
"He's trying to be ASAP...As safe as possible."
"No time outs remaining."
"Go, go goooooooooo! Yeah!"
Late breakfast and basketball fills the room.
My mind drifts back to the keyboard as I check my mail, then do my posting & newsletter set up for the pub. There's a rhythm to the task when I let the noise of a room fade to the background. There in the zone my mind comes alive with thoughts and processing. Talking to myself quietly with some sense of control, if that makes any sence at all. Thoughts Thoughts Thoughts! Did you see the movie, For The Love of the Game with Keven Costner? He was a pitcher and when he'd take the mound, he'd say to himself, "Clear the mechanism," and the outside throb of the crowd would fade out. He was in his zone. His mind was now organizing the focus for his task. He commits to the focus. Now as he's pitching this critical "perfect game", the director has his thoughts as a flashback that are also going through his mind as a baseball player who is pitching his last game. His life is on the mound with him. It's intense. He's focused on the outside, but in his own head, there's so much more going on. Is he truly focused "in the zone?"
How about everyone we work with, or live among or ride on the bus, in the elevator, in the next office? They're doing the work or in many cases going through the motions of focus, but what else is going on in their heads as they work, play, pass you on the street. How big is the plate that they hold and take with them in a life? Do we have time to let the past come forward, thank it for it's time and lessons or dismiss it, banish it into the past forever and shut the door? Do we assume that everyone else has it all worked out in their focus in the zone? Maybe some do, but the more I'm out among the people, the more it seems do not.
Maybe people think they have no time to think in their zone. It's all about tuning out for them. Maybe others fine comfort in just doing and doing and doing with no time to think. Maybe the thinking stays focused on the material thoughts. I need, I want. Maybe that's the point. Maybe they don't want to think about what would make it better or less painful or even surrender to "It is what it is, right now." I do know that surrender is not defeat in the zone, it is a path to a better zone. My focus has become clearer since I surrendered to being myself with awareness of others inability to do the same thing and share rather than judge. If you can, you should. The world needs examples of people who bring a light to the zone.
Maybe I could maybe all day.
Reading this over, I ask myself...What were you thinking?"
I kicked myself out of my quiet comfort zone to ask myself if it is another way to escape thinking the thoughts that move me forward to a better zone.
Guess I'll have to think about that! I know there's room in my head for reflection.
(pats heart, and points to you)
Comments (22)
GREAT pic. Yes, this is the thought du jour - everywhere with everyone...we are inching forward, I think. Really, I see the movement, however s l o w l y moving .
@SandraErickson - I'm looking forward to critical mass. How about you? HUGS and warm Spring thoughts to you S!
I should learn to erase the 'mechanism'. Crystal clear is what I need sometimes in my life. This was a lovely read.
I do try once in a while to be "objective" taking a look with less of the emotions tied to something but just as it "is" I have often forgotten a song on loud enough it sould be center stage or at least noticed and am shown hours later that while I grokked it all along it was only in a way that of not memorizing it but just absorbing it....only to nearly forget everything ipportant about it and have to repeat it again. or perhaps it stings to fight a financial bit forward when borders/roommates are required and yet again another wishes to leave - oo la la I would like to pursue... this one and that perhaps is precisely why she wishes to leave...but not for the reason to flee me but so it feels to allow such on fair terms to her...again objectivism. there are many moments that shine for themselves outside the colors emotion and also within them and may they be more. pats and points right back.
Eek -- I think I've come to critical mass already! Conference stuff isn't leaving much room for other thought!
There you go. Making ME think again.
Great pairing of words and photo!!!
Yes, I can get caught up in the "maybes". And you are right...we need to get out into the world and bring light to the zone!
Maybe our light will reflect onto others and help them find healing and warmth. Okay...not "maybe"...it WILL!!!
Surrender...yes...life changing for me.
(pats heart, points to you, then wraps you in a hug)
HUGS!!!
It is the acceptance of things as they are that allows us to move forward. If we can't or won't acknowledge where we stand in the present, there is no clear plan to move into the future. Likewise holding onto the past in hopes of going back in time will never work and will only harm us... Lovely reflection!
@Jaynebug - I love being in the Zone. Everything is in order and my thoughts seem very, very clear. And you are right, it moves us forward to the next one. I may go there too easily though.
I belong to several groups even though I'm retired and I enjoy being intimate with others but I can't be with everyone so a lot of people I have to just pass by and ignore or just smile as I walk by.
I have a best friend who I make time for each week even though she's still working. I have to remember that she can't spend as much time with me as I can with her so I try to be understanding but also I want to talk to her and see her at least once a week. We usually spend a few hours together a week.
I used to put finds on a shelf when I was younger but when a friend died in 2006 I realized I have to make time with a friend to be a friend.
@Texasjillcarmel - I agree. Just spent the evening with a good friend. We both have a birthday this month, so we took ourselves out for a dinner to celebrate US! We have been friends since the 80's and have had years when we didn't see each other at all. Both of us had to get to a point in our lives where we could make the effort to keep the friendship. Now we check in at least once a week and then get together for some excellent times. Walks, and dinners, and fine conversations. Friends are the best!
@ZSA_MD - Hugs Z! I do use the quote from the movie for my own humor while focusing. "Clear the mechanism, baby!"
@starmanjones - Sounds like you have lots to spin around in your head. Breathe deep and let the clearing begin.!
@slmret - You're soooooooooo close J! Hang in there! I'm sending excellent calm to YOU! (I just fixed calm as I wrote clam first) Sending excellent clam. hahahaha. HUGS!
@adamswomanback -
I bet we could talk for hours about people and things! Enjoy your zone and keep that light a-shinin'!
@murisopsis - I was just talking to a friend last night about accepting who I am and within that comes a different outlook toward how I respond to others and what I hold on to. If you're a bridge and I'm a bridge...well...back to work I go!
@Iamsurrounded - You may go to your zone too easily? That's a good thing as long as the zone allows exits.
Make it a great day!
@Jaynebug - Whee -- I just got approval for the room seatings -- the huge hurdle that I was working on when I wrote that comment! We're close, and just working on details now!
@Jaynebug - lol... but but, wouldn't that mean that I lose that thought of HER? ;) lol
@slmret - Yay! Go Janet! So close now.
@Jaynebug -
oh my heaven. oh oh oh.<li class="item item-1 item-odd">The Better Zone or Where Did I Leave The Zone
They take bites, chew, then throw out random comments.
"Oh man that guy is loosing his mouth guard."
"He's trying to be ASAP...As safe as possible."
"No time outs remaining."
"Go, go goooooooooo! Yeah!"
Late breakfast and basketball fills the room.
My mind drifts back to the keyboard as I check my mail, then do my posting & newsletter set up for the pub. There's a rhythm to the task when I let the noise of a room fade to the background."
@Jaynebug -
oh my dear. i must make this happen. i for-see much (not yet).
@HimMostHigh -
oh dear i'm off to weblog poetry. most like it will be,