Time To Get Down To Business

GearBuzz here we come..... We are excited to have been selected to have our products featured on GearBuzz.  After spending a lot of time building an online business with several diverse products, we are pleased that we are getting our largest inventoried product in front of thousands of athletes.  Check out our great selection of 26.2 floor and cargo mats.  These and other products will be featured in mid-February.  More news coming soon!  http://www.inspiredzebra.com/

Thought of the Day - The Inspired Zebra Way

There will always be a gap in our own perception about where our personal performance is and where we dream it will be.  Always.  It's the nature of our beasts, one that constantly grows and expands, that wants to feel more happy and joy in it's daily life. Even after we complete our first triathlon, we would still want our performance to get better and improve for the next time. Here's a question of thought for you to ponder, "Is it better to accept our latest performance as the best we have ever done or will do OR do we strive to improve our running time or lower our golf round chasing that elusive perfectionism found deep inside of all of us.??" Answer, we should always strive to improve our performance based on our best experience. When we fail to achieve that goal, we don't beat ourselves up for falling short, we continue to look forward to the next time where perfect perfectionism and consistency really do exist in our reality. Think about it, now go out there and "Live the Dream."  

Thought of the Day the Inspired Zebra Way

When we talk about a "detachment phase" regarding our  sport of choice, we are talking about the "art of separation" between our emotions of the inner-self and our conscious state of actuality.  In other words, our unconscious state remains calm and focused producing positive energy that can be directed toward the task at hand while the conscious state just goes along for the ride. Detachment is a very different energy than resignation, quitting or giving up produces.  It is a very alive energy, one that keeps us totally engaged in the creative processes while we are totally absorb in the action of the moment. We remain passionate about our chosen sport, but let go of our attachment to having the result be any different than it is, otherwise could be or was. Live in the moment, not in the past or future. Continue to pursue your dreams, no matter what anyone says, they're your dreams. Now go and get them.

Two new Charity Partners!

We at Inspired Zebra are proud to be partnering with two great charities.  First, I will be running the Boston Marathon in support of CYCLE Kids.  They are an outstanding cause dedicated to preventing childhood obesity and diabetes by introducing kids to cycling.  Please consider donating to this great cause here: http://www.razoo.com/story/The-2011-Cycle-Kids-Boston-Marathon-Team

We will also be selling CYCLE Kids t-shirts and sweatshirts with 100% of the proceeds going to the children.  Please check back soon and we will let you know when they are available.


We are also working with The Children's Tumor Foundation, another great organization dedicated to researching and preventing Neurofibromatosis.  Usually diagnosed in children, N-F is a lifelong disorder with a variety of potential complications and variety in severity.  Purchase a great looking shirt to support this organization as well.  Just visit our Online Store.  Again, 100% of the proceeds go to CTF!

Thought of the Day the Inspired Zebra Way

In order to think clearly and make good decisions, our emotions cannot be wild and out of control. Before we can get our emotions in-check, our thoughts have to be grounded in calmness and flow that reach a deeper inner self.  This is the essence of the mind/body connection or more commonly called a “mind/body experience” – that at its deepest levels our thoughts and emotions are one and the same.  Few people ever reach this plane of existence without the physical aid of a leafy controlled substance or assembling model airplanes all night long, but our thoughts are simply a match to our emotions, much as our emotions are equally a reflection of our thoughts, a condition called. . . mirrored images. Another thought provoking trinket to put in to your “hmmm box” from the Inspired Zebra team. 

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We would love to keep you up to date as we progress with our quest to provide inspiration for you as you pursue your passion.  Please "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Keep reading below for some inspiring thoughts on "colors"......

Thought of the Day the Inspired Zebra Way

So the question comes to mind, do we change our belief system to what we experience and perceive in our daily life??  The answer always comes back to a thing called “present moment”, and to monitoring the content of more and more of our own thoughts and emotions in any given moment in time.  Left unobserved, we continue to play out our life with old, worn out mind patterns that yield the same old, worn out bland stuff day after dreary day.  That’s why for most of us, it’s much easier to sit around and complain about how things look on the outside than it is to make the changes that have to happen first before anything can change on the inside. “Make the Change; it’s for YOUR own good”. Another pondering thought brought to you from the Inspired Zebra team.

Thought of the Day the Inspired Zebra Way

A lot of us dismiss the power of thought, imagination and emotion in our everyday lives because we don’t practice using that part of the brain as much as we should.  We continue repeating old mental and emotional patterns hoping for a different outcome to unfold which seldom does. What we do witness is, let’s say, a successful golf shot, which is simply a projection of what we have first imagined in our mind prior to actually hitting the shot.  That is precisely why each golf shot is nothing more or less than a direct reflection of what, “on an inner level”, we believe we can or cannot do .  When one really believes they can fulfill the desires of their mind, then and only then will they pull off the miracle shot, or run a miracle mile, either way, it’s still perceived by the mortal man as being a miracle. Think about it.

Today's Color is GREEN!!!

Life and Renewal:

Green is life. Abundant in nature, green signifies growth, renewal, health, and environment. On the flip side, green is jealousy or envy (green-eyed monster) and inexperience.

Nature of Green:

Green is a restful color with some of the same calming attributes of blue. It seems as if time moves faster in a green room.

Culture of Green:

Green is the national color of Ireland and is strongly associated with that country. St. Patrick's Day means if you don't wear green, you get pinched. All the green in nature is reminiscent of Spring. Greens coupled with red produces Christmas coloring.

Using Green:

With both a warming and cooling effect, the color green denotes balance, harmony, and stability. Use several shades of green for a fresh, springtime feel. Olive green, also called olive drab, is a not so drab summery green that may have military overtones for some people.

Language of Green:

 

Good green

• Green light - go, permission to proceed (with a task)
• The green room - in theater or televisions it is the room where performers and guests go to relax
• Green thumb - good with plants
• Greenback - US dollar bill, money
• Greener pastures - something newer or better (or perceived to be better), such as a new job
• "Going Green" - means environmentally conscious

Bad green

• Green-eyed monster - jealous
• Green with envy - jealous or envious
• Green - inexperienced, untested, untrained
• Greenhorn - novice, trainee, beginner
• Green around the gills - pale, sickly

Green Words: These words are synonymous with green or represent various shades of the color green. Emerald, sea green, seafoam, olive, olive drab, pea green, grass green, apple, mint, forest, lawn green, lime, spring green, leaf green, aquamarine, beryl, chartreuse, fir, kelly green, pine, moss, jade, sage, sap, viridian.

Thought of the Day - The Inspired Zebra Way

Whatever we’re trying to achieve with stressful, unhappy, try harder, white knuckle energy, we can just expect a lot of struggle and a big delay in what we’re trying to accomplish because all we really are attracting is more trying and struggle than actual accomplishment.  When we ignore the message that we already intuitively know and feel inside ourselves, we realize that we could have accomplished the same things much more quickly and easily simply by realigning our thoughts and emotions in a happier, more joyous direction.  It’s why action can never, ever compensate for misaligned thought or undone deed.

Translation: Stress begets, struggled energy looking for a way out. It's how you release the potential energy into the world that really defines who you are. Try harder, . . . play harder still, yet with integrity and an honest effort that truly you yourself know the meaning of. Enjoy your life every day.

Over the next few weeks, Inspired Zebra will take a look at "colors", what they mean to us and how they affect our daily environment.

Today's color is "RED".

Love and War:

Red is HOT. It's a strong color that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting emotions from passionate love to violence and warfare. Red is opposites - Cupid and the Devil. Red is love as shown in Valentines Day gifts. Roses are red, but possess thorns signifying love and pain.

Nature of Red:

A stimulant, red is the hottest of the warm colors. Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure or physical exertion as two people meet for the first time.

Culture of Red:

Red is power, hence the red power tie for business people and the red carpet for celebrities and VIPs (very important people).

Flashing red lights denote danger or emergency. Stop signs and stop lights are red to get the drivers' attention and alert them to the dangers of the intersection.

In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration. Colors in the red family are the most attention-grabbing, mysterious, friendly, sophisticated, or mentally stimulating.

Red Words: These words are synonymous with red or represent various shades of the color red.  Scarlet, crimson, vermillion, carmine, maroon, burgundy, ruby, rose, madder, rouge, brick, blood red, blush, fire engine red, cinnabar, russet, rust, Venetian red, flame, Indian red, tomato.

Inspired Zebra sells RED T-Shirts, buy one today for the one you love.

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We would love to keep you up to date as we progress with our quest to provide inspiration for you as you pursue your passion.  Please "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Thought of the Day - The Inspired Zebra Way

“Eventually, our Life experiences help us to know beyond any doubt that the world is the projected image of our conscious and unconscious thoughts, emotions and beliefs. People, situations and resources begin to “magically” show up that are an energetic match to our happy or unhappy attitudes and moods. The very quality of our lives depends upon how deeply we want to explore this inner wisdom; always the by-product of a spiritual voyage that we either hope to hide from or enthusiastically embrace.”

Excerpt from:  “Thoughts of the Day: Book II – Insights for the Athlete’s Soul.”  

Think it through, what are you waiting for, get out there and join in on life. Experiences are, they happen, some good, some bad, but they are going to happen. It is how you deal with them that makes the difference. No one lives that doesn’t experience some kind of major event in their life otherwise they wouldn’t be alive. Embrace diversity, enjoy life to the fullest while you can. Sounds easy, but it’s hard work. Nothing in this life worth having comes easy. Work hard, play hard, but live. Enough said, now buy a stinkin’ T shirt.

Tee Shirt Inspiration

What do you say to wearing a tee shirt. Everybody's doing it. There is not one day that goes by that at least 6 out of 10 people wear some kind of T shirt during the day. Now what do all those people have in common. Everybody has dreams and desires. Everybody has a passion for something. What is your passion?? Take a moment and think about it. Mine is golf, yours could be equistrian related or fishing. Put down into words what makes your passion yours and live it. Say it on a T shirt. Inspired Zebra helps you create your own inspiration, just contact them and let your imagination fly.

James took yet another approach.  He did a great job designing the current logo for the company.  It looks great and it is definitely in the running for the permanent logo and/or a shirt design.  He decided to have the logo itself put on the shirt.  Take a look:

No matter what you do or what you want on a shirt or other product, we can make it happen.  Use it as a creative outlet for yourself and/or the kids. 

Ashley took a different approach.  She is an accomplished violinist and wanted to share her passion and talent with the world.  She decided to create a shirt that defined what it takes to be a concert violinist.  Words like "Commitment" and "Ability" combined with "Just Plain Hard Work" define what she does.  Here is a look at her design:

The kids love their Inspired Zebra shirts!

What better way to test out a new concept then to turn it loose on the kids?  We asked our kids to use their imagination and design their own t-shirt based on their interests and passions.  Here is a look at what they came up with:

Ann (the youngest) decided to put all of her favorite things on her shirt.  I guess she couldn't decide on just one so she just jammed them all on there!  She gave me a big hug when I gave the shirt to her.  Nothing like seeing something you created in print.  She wore it to school and her friends loved it too.  Now they want to design their own.  Here is a what Ann's shirt looks like:

Inspired Zebra has arrived!

Welcome to the Inspired Zebra Blog! 

What is Inspired Zebra?  Where did we come from and what do we intend to do? 

Here is an introduction to what we do:  Inspired Zebra, LLC is dedicated to sharing inspirational messages accross the world.  Wherever your passion lies, there are inspirational words, messages and images that help you convey the hard work that goes into everything you do.

We offer inspirational designs, phrases and messages on exceptional quality apparel, gifts and almost anything else.  We offer unique designs incorporating motivational words and quotes.  Whether it is running a 5k, a full Ironman or playing the violin, you will find our designs customizable and applicable to anything that inspires you.   Our designs and printing are as flexible as your imagination. For example, we can print your favorite message or quote on your shirt.  Or, if you would you like another sport, a musical instrument or even your own design on a shirt, we can do that too.  Just go to inspiredzebra@charter.net and use your imagination!

Are you part of a charity race or charitable organization?  If so, we can help you raise funds by setting up a site with apparel and gifts featuring your organization’s logo.  Just direct your supporters to the site and start collecting cash!

Inspired Zebra features no minimums and an extremely fast turnaround, usually 2-3 business days for orders under 50.  Please contact us for turnaround times for larger orders.  We look forward to serving you at http://www.inspiredzebra.com/!