It's All About Energy
by Jon Gordon, M.A.
Everything is energy in motion.
-- PIR VILAYAT INAYAT KHAN
 While many scientists and experts study energy, the truth is you
don't have to be a scientist to know that energy is all around us and
inside us. Human beings, trees, water, sunlight, air, plants and every
other single thing in the universe — they're all made of energy. In fact,
when we get down to it, energy is all that exists.
In high school
science class we learned that energy is never created nor destroyed. It
is simply transformed from one form of energy to another. The energy of
two cells uniting to form an embryo; a power plant turning the energy
of water into electricity; a plant using the sun's energy to live; all
are examples of energy flow and transformation. The same energy from
sunlight that feeds an apple tree also provides us with the energy to
walk, talk and think. Energy never disappears. It is recycled into
other forms of energy. Energy is never stagnant. Rather, it flows, it
transforms, and it creates.
While energy is a difficult concept to grasp because we can't
physically see it, we can think about our every day experiences to
understand how "it's all about energy." When we eat food, we feed our
bodies energy. Sunlight and water provide a plant with the energy to
live. Cars need energy to drive. When we walk into a restaurant or
party, we feel the energy immediately. We instantly decide whether we
like the place or we don't. We might say, "That place has great energy"
or "That restaurant didn't have a good feel to it."
Likewise, when we meet someone we decide immediately whether they have a
"good vibe" or a "bad vibe." We read their energy and make a decision
on how their energy affects us. We've all met people who have a lot of
great energy. We want to be around them more. In contrast, we've also
had the experience of meeting someone I call an Energy Vampire where
they literally sucked the energy right out of us. If we paid close
attention we could feel the energy being pulled from our bodies. Energy
Vampires do exist and they will steal your energy if you let them.
Energy is also found in the thoughts we think and the words we read
and hear. Have you ever gotten excited about an idea and felt
energized? Or listened to an energetic speaker and become motivated to
take action? Or read a book and become inspired? Words are so powerful
they have started fights and wars. With each book we read and each
sentence we hear, we take in energy. With each thought we think we send
energy to our body and project that energy out into the world.
We also find a tremendous amount of energy in music and other
people. We listen to music and it lifts us up. Have you ever seen a
live concert? You can literally feel the power emanating from the
performer. They are sharing their energy with the audience and the
audience is receiving it. The energy is so powerful you can almost
touch it.
Or have you ever been in a football or baseball stadium or
basketball arena? The crowd goes wild. The home team comes from behind
and wins the game. It was as if they were feeding off the energy of the
crowd. They were. That's why they call it "home field advantage." Or
how about the way you feel after meeting an old friend for lunch or
dinner. After talking to them you feel better than ever. You laughed
non-stop, told stories and felt full of life. You shared energy.
Many of us also experience energy in many other ways. Have you ever
said a prayer and felt God's energy fill you up? Or gone to the beach
and become rejuvenated? Or hiked in the mountains and felt the energy
of the trees? When you exercise do you feel like you have more energy
even though you just ran two miles? When you get a good night's sleep
do you feel like someone recharged your battery?
We have all of these experiences and many more like them because we
are energy beings and as energy beings we interact with other forms of
energy every day. We give, receive, share, transform, maximize and
focus energy every day.
It's all about energy.
INCREASE YOUR POWER SUPPLY
Too much of a good thing is wonderful.
-- MAE WEST
We all know someone who seems to have more energy than the rest
of us. When I ask people in my seminars if they know someone who has a
lot of energy, everyone in the room usually points to two or three
people. We can see it with our eyes, hear it in their words and
enthusiasm, and feel it in their presence. Just as some people are born
to play the piano or baseball better than the rest of us, there are
those who, I believe, are born naturally with more energy.
However, the great news is that energy can be acquired. While we may
not be born as energetic as some people, we can become more energetic
by acquiring more energy. Just as a baseball player can practice
hitting to improve his batting skills and an actress can practice
displaying different emotions to improve her craft, all of us have the
ability to become skilled at acquiring more energy.
The key is to become an Energy Addict. Like any addict who is
addicted to something, an Energy Addict always wants more positive
energy. Energy Addicts are always interested in increasing their power
supply — acquiring more energy to become more energetic and powerful. If
we measured an Energy Addict's energy supply it would far exceed that
of a normal person. Energy Addicts take in more energy from more
sources. They know where to find the energy — how to tap it — and how to
make the most of the energy they have.
Just as a good financial planner can take your $1,000 and turn it
into $5,000 while an average financial planner would turn your $1,000
into $2,000, an Energy Addict can take the same amount of energy as a
normal person and create more, do more, and accomplish more with it. So
an Energy Addict takes in more energy and makes it work more
efficiently and effectively. This leads to a larger power supply even
while energy is being used every day.
And because Energy Addicts are skilled at acquiring more energy for
their life, they are always replacing used energy and adding to their
power supply. With all of their energy, Energy Addicts also have more
to share with others. This energy can be used to help other people
increase their power supply — creating a more energetic company, family,
organization, neighborhood and world.
As you read on, you will discover many ways to increase your power
supply. Simply remember energy acquisition is a skill. The more you do
it, the better you will get. The better you get, the more you will
increase your power supply. You may have not been born energetic but
you can become energetic. Up to this point you may have not lived a
life filled with energy, but today you can become an Energy Addict.
This will allow you to create more success for yourself and others.
FIND YOUR SONG AND PLAY THE MUSIC
Drumsound rises on the air, its throb, my heart.
A voice inside the beat says,
'I know you're tired, but come. This is the way.'
— RUMI
Most of us have a favorite song that lifts us up whenever we
hear it. You might be sitting in your car and your favorite song will
come on the radio. You start singing and before you know it your day
has turned around from frustration to joy. Music is energy that
vibrates just as the approximately 75 trillion cells in our body
vibrate. When we hear music our bodies will often feel the music before
we even realize we are moving to the beat.
Music has the power to make us laugh and cry. Think of the music
from the movies "'Terms of Endearment" and "Titanic." The music starts
playing and the audience is reaching for tissues. Music also has the
power to motivate us and inspire us. Think of the "Rocky" movies. When
I hear the "Rocky" theme song I still get the urge to sprint a hundred
yards.
Music sets the tone in restaurants and shopping malls. It plays
during sporting events, religious services, and family holidays. After
all, what would a birthday be without a "Happy Birthday" song?
Music makes us think and feel because it is a powerful source of
energy and each day you have the opportunity to make the energy of
music work for you. When you are down you can play a song that lifts
your spirit and adds a kick to your step. When you are going to an
important meeting or event, you can play a song that gives you
confidence. When you are stressed and nervous you can play music that
relaxes you. Music is energy that you can use to fuel your life
whenever and where ever you need it.
PUT YOUR ENERGY FIRST
Imagine you're an energy vending machine. Your family comes
up to you, puts a few coins in and says 'we need some energy'. Do you
have any to give or are you already spent. Are you stocked up or sold
out. Or think about your boss standing by your machine. Now that's a
scary thought! They are looking at you deciding if they want a large or
a small amount of energy today. Do you have the energy to give? There
are a lot of people looking to put coins in us and if we don't have the
energy to give, they'll likely bang on the machine looking for their
money back. Let's just hope they don't tip the machine over.
The fact
is, we can't give what we don't have. To give energy we need to have
energy. To have energy we need to put our energy first. This means that
we need to stock up our vending machine before we give it to everyone
else. While some may call this selfish, I call it smart. While some may
call you self-centered, I call you generous. If you put your energy
first you will have more energy for yourself and more to share with
others.
Consider Ted. Ted is always giving to everyone. He ignores his own
needs, works tirelessly, gets little sleep and spends his free time
making sure everyone else is happy. Everyone else receives his Energy
but Ted has nothing left for himself. Everyone says, "WOW, look at how
giving Ted is. Isn't he great?" But Ted's machine becomes empty. In the
future Ted may burn out. Or Ted will likely get sick and will not be
there for his family when they need him. Or Ted might leave his family
to find so called "happiness".
Now consider Ed. Ed puts his energy
first. Ed stocks up on energy. Ed makes time for exercise, sleep, play
and himself. Ed takes care of himself so he has something left to give
his family. Ed takes care of himself so he has more energy for his
career. Ed knows that he can't give his energy if he doesn't have any
for himself. In the end everyone in Ed's life is better off because Ed
put his energy first.
So remember, even when society criticizes you for putting your
energy first, be like Ed. This doesn't mean you are selfish. You put
your energy first and then you share your energy with others. You get a
massage so you will be more relaxed during the week. If you are a mom
with small children, you hire that sitter for a few hours so you can
recharge and rejuvenate. You take your lunch break in the park so you
can be more productive in the afternoon. You exercise in the morning so
you can spend time with your kids in the evening. You ask your husband
or wife to watch the kids so you can take some time for yourself. You
balance your personal life and career. In the long run everyone you
live with, work with and interact with will thank you. Those who have
the energy are the ones who can share it. Instead of handing out your
energy to everyone else, remember to first stock up your energy vending
machine and then you can dispense your energy accordingly. When those
who need you most put their quarters in, you'll have plenty of energy
to give.
CREATE RITUALS
The most accomplished performers have defined specific rituals in daily life whereas those who are less successful do not.
— JAMES E. LOEHR, ED.D, AUTHOR AND PSYCHOLOGIST
As part of any "energy for life" plan, rituals are the key to
turning our goals into reality — or chaos into concrete. Rituals help us
create positive habits that will become our foundation in a crazy world.
For example, when I was at the peak of my unhappiness several years
ago I asked myself what was missing in my life. The answers were loud
and clear — a healthy diet, exercise, creative expression, and time with
my wife and kids. So I developed my routine and rituals around these
very things. My wife and I decided to make Saturday night our date
night; every Saturday we would hire a babysitter and go out for dinner
and a movie. I started writing every night after I read to my daughter
and put her down to sleep. It became a priority to get home each night
so that I could spend time with her before she went to bed.
On the exercise and diet front I created exercise routines and diets
and made them a part of my everyday life. I went to the same deli every
morning and ordered four egg whites and fruit for breakfast before
heading into work. I liked walking in the door and holding four fingers
in the air; the cooks knew what to make. Amazingly these routines and
rituals helped bring a certain order and peace to my life that made
everything flow much easier. My habits became my life and I was much
happier.
By incorporating meaningful habits into our lives with rituals and
routines, we make our lives more meaningful. This gives us a foundation
and a center that we can build on and around. We can develop a routine
or ritual for anything. Perhaps we walk our dog every night before we
go to bed. Or we do yoga before we shower in the morning. We eat French
toast every Sunday. We call our special friends once a month at the
same time. If we are single, we might go to a social event once a week
every Thursday. If we are married we might call our spouse every day at
noon to ask how he or she is doing. If we are religious, we most likely
go to a religious service once a week. If we are spiritual, we likely
meditate and pray daily.
Our life is the result of our words, choices, thoughts and actions.
What we believe, say, choose and do is what we become. When you create
rituals that increase your mental, physical and spiritual energy, you
become more energetic, happier and successful.
This
article was excerpted from:
 Energy Addict: 101 Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Ways to Energize Your Life
by Jon
Gordon, M.A. (originally published in hardcover as: "Become an Energy Addict")
Reprinted with permission of the publisher, LongStreet Press, Inc. ©2003.
www.longstreetpress.com
Info/Order this book (new paperback edition)
More books by this author.
About the Author
JON GORDON is known internationally as The Energy
Addict. Jon's seminars, newsletters, articles, radio and
television appearances are seen and heard by tens of thousands of people each
week. Jon's energy coaching has increased the energy of people from all walks of
life. Jon has infused energy into organizations such as The PGA
Tour, The Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Life, State Farm Insurance, The United
Way, The Children's Home Society, Cingular Wireless and The Ponte Vedra Inn and
Club. Visit Jon at his website:
www.JonGordon.com.
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