Transforming Lives

“I’ve always loved butterflies, because they remind us that it’s never too late to transform our lives.”  ~ Drew Barrymore

This is great news! No matter where you are on your life journey, it’s never too late! And yet for many, the idea of transformation is overwhelming. So, this month I thought I would share a few ways you can begin the transformation in significant ways.

Several years ago I was invited to participate in a planning group to bring the Blue Zones concept to my community. This initiative is based on the work of Dan Buettner who teamed up with National Geographic to find the world’s longest-lived people and study them. They worked with a team of demographers to find pockets of people around the world with the highest life expectancy, or with the highest proportions of people who reach age 100. Five communities emerged and from those five emerged nine common traits. As I learned more about these nine traits, I began to transform my life and what Buettner calls “reverse engineer” my longevity.

One of the first big AHA concepts was that one of the key factors in our longevity is to align with our purpose. Okinawans call it “ikigai” and the Nicoyans call it “plan de vida;” which for both translates to “why I wake up each day.” In America, we have so many different points of view and our work is connected to pay for things, whereas in the blue zones, work is just part of their identity and connects them to their community and purpose. Having purpose is not the same as having goals but it will definitely help you achieve them. Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to about seven years of extra life expectancy. Buettner defines purpose this way: “Purpose is the convergence of values, passions, what you like to do, what you’re good at. Then the important part, in my opinion, is there’s no purpose unless there’s an outlet for it. The best outlet I think is your job because you do it every day, but 69% or so of Americans don’t find purpose at work. So then it’s got to be your family, or volunteering, or a hobby. But it’s got to be putting those passions and expertise and gifts to work. Once you identify that, man, it’s just like supercharging your engine.”  

The second AHA concept was having the “Right Tribe.” According to Buettner, “The world’s longest lived people chose – or were born into – social circles that supported healthy behaviors, Okinawans created “moais” – groups of five friends that committed to each other for life. Research from the Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. So the social networks of long-lived people have favorably shaped their health behaviors.”  So choose your tribe wisely. 

There are seven other concepts in what is called the Power 9 Principles of Blue Zones. If you are ready to begin transforming your life, Alaka’i Associates is standing by to help you find your purpose and your tribe. 

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Balance and Flow

How do you relate to your environment? How does it influence or impact you?

A recent meditation led me to look at the art of feng shui and how we can use its principles to create more balance and flow in our surroundings.

Feng shui’s meaning can be broken down into the Chinese words “feng,” meaning wind, and “shui,” meaning water. The concept is derived from an ancient poem that talks about human life being connected to and flowing with the environment around it.

By definition, feng shui is a practice of arranging the pieces in living spaces to create balance with the natural world. This is what it means to feng shui your home. The goal is to harness energy forces and establish harmony between an individual and their environment.

Read more here and see how you can create more balance and flow in your environment.

https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-feng-shui-1275060

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Longevity – It’s A One Way Street

As humans we all have a beginning and an ending. So how can we embrace our aging in wellness and not in illness?

One piece of the puzzle is with nutrigenomics and epigenetics. Here’s how to change the trajectory of your health.

https://lanialmanza.lifevantage.com/…/protandim-nrf2…

Contact me for more information.

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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Announcing the release of my new  book, “Under A Full Moon and A Guiding Star.” The book provides a framework for finding balance between the Doing and Being mindsets, along with sharing my personal journey of transformation as a caregiver.

“Under A Full Moon and A Guiding Star” offers readers a daily practice of wellness through tools, images, and resources, including meditations and visualizations, to help live a healthier and happier life. As an alakaʻi (guide/mentor in the Hawaiian language), I share the wisdom I have gained from walking the path before and offer mentorship to support readers through life’s journey and transitions.

“Lani Almanza’s book is a timeless guide through life’s challenges. With episodic storytelling and thought-provoking questions, she inspires us to embrace growth and gratitude. Lani’s book is a cherished reference that both reminds and uplifts.”

“Under A Full Moon and A Guiding Star” will be available August 1, 2023 on Amazon in hardcover, paperback and Kindle formats. Readers can find keywords such as self-help, wellness, personal development, and caregiving to discover and explore the book.