Spiritual Living Blog
Intend and Intention by Cathleen O’Connor
I intend a bunch of stuff – all the time, in fact. I intend to exercise every day but often don’t. I intend to eat only organic food but still succumb to that occasional Micky D’s. I intend to go to bed at the same time each night to get a really good sleep but often get caught up in some show and then am up way past my target nighty-night goals.
Actually, now that I think about it, the stuff I intend to do rarely gets done. So what is it about intending that is different from intention? Like Indiana Jones after the Ark of the Covenant, I set out to discover the subtle shift that happens when I set intentions versus when I just intend. And I think I found the answer.
Setting an intention takes focus, clarity and dedicated energy where my intending to do something is often a throw-away thought – one that floats in and then on but never really stays long enough to take root. When I set an intention, however, I usually sit and journal about it a bit, visualize about it a bit, and take the time to see, hear, smell, taste, feel the result as if it were already with me. I honor the process and myself and that makes all the difference.
So here are my simple rules for setting intentions and moving out of the intend place into real change:
First open the heart to possibility. Often the limitations you and I may experience come from our own beliefs about what is truly possible. If you want to play in the universal amusement park, then it helps to fully open to the infinite potentiality and possibility inherent in every moment.
Next open the mind to flexibility. If you’ve always done things the same way and still don’t have what you want, then you may be holding too tightly to how something is supposed to unfold. Remove all expectations and let the universe surprise you. I’ve found that universal wisdom will always come up with more spectacular results than I could ever imagine.
Take a few moments to dedicate to the process – just a few – you can fit it in, I promise. In those few moments, write your intention in as positive language as you can muster. Then sit and close your eyes and visualize that intention fulfilled. Really see, hear, taste, smell and sense your life with that intention manifest. Feel happy – happiness raises the vibration so get into your happy place and go with it. When you feel you really have it you are there and sending your intention out to the universe – all wrapped up with a big, bright red bow.
Happy Intentions!!
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/19/10 at 07:21 PM