|
|
|
Life Design Ezine>
SETTING INTENTIONS VS. NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
January 1, 2009
DO INTENTIONS HAVE MORE POWER THAN NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?
By Jennifer Manlowe
So much has been written in the last hundred years regarding the power of positive thinking, or the magic of thoughts, or the "fundamental law" or "secrets of attraction"--all of these thought to be something over which humans have control via cognitive techniques.
These last few years the word “intention” seems to be showing up as often in Medical journals as in New Age magazines. What’s the difference between setting an intention from declaring your New Year’s resolutions to friends and family? Aren’t they both about staying focused on what you want, rather than focusing on the lack of having what you want?
“Intentionality is the property of being about something …”
Wikipedia defines a New Year's resolution as “a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. It’s one example of the rolling forecast-method of planning. According to this method, plans are established at regular short or medium-term time intervals, when only a rough long-term plan exists.”
The idea of intention, here, as “being about something,” seems to reflect a framework of purpose. I understand such a perspective to be one’s whole orientation…something much deeper than trying to change a habit (internally or externally). Intention could be a practice one uses when she or he is ready to detach from a consumer-obsessed or ego-driven life filled with quick fixes and ersatz happiness. Intention seems to reflect an orientation that is connected to a more authentic, joyful, and spiritually fulfilling life raison d'etre.
Some thinkers, like psychologist Wayne Dyer, believe there’s a potent force called the "power of intention." He calls people who are consciously co-creating with this energy source "connectors" and describes them as "individuals who have made themselves available for success...They don't say With my luck things won't work out. Instead, you’re more likely to hear, I intend to create this and I know it will work out."
I see the difference between intention and a New Year’s resolution as a categorical one. Intention, in my view, comes from one’s heart-mind (not separate organs but as a metaphor of wholeness). Goals and resolutions are set by me and the actions come from me (my will power) as a subject over and against separate objects in the world. Make sense?
For instance, “Through my willpower, I’m going to lose more weight, make more money, have a stricter workout regime, etc.—it’s all mind OVER matter,” whereas intention has my inner essence or inner compass as its source. The empowering force may be the energy of what manifests within the folding and unfolding of all living things.
When I get quiet, or meditate for minutes each day, I get to listen to my heart-mind to see what might be the most delicious shifts to foster and witness next (unfolding in all my relationships). I believe just “leaning into” these intentions (made up from the magic of my heart-mind’s wishing) can automatically bring them into view in very actionable ways. To act upon (or not) what seems to be right in front of me is up to me.
Here are my intentions for 2009 and beyond…
To trust my organic boundaries: I can choose to trust myself to take care of myself (and insist that I be treated well) no matter what I may be feeling about myself in the moment. I need to remember, no one is meant to save me. Only I can make myself safe, feel peace, negotiate draining distractions.
To follow my feelings: look inside for feelings and sensations that are real in the moment…then articulate them.
To choose my words with mindfulness in mind: say only what I feel in my intuition/body or not speaking at all. I choose to focus on what is enlivening and true and to be around people with similar intentions.
To be surprised: let go of needing to feel on top of feelings/the future of a relationship, transform the habit of trying to figure out what's to come in to remaining curious about life in the present.
To open up: see the outstretched hearts of men and women and to assume that we're all related and doing our best.
To cultivate simplicity: knowing this will organically assist me in cleaning up credit, enhancing my business stability and feel a greater and deeper sense of living well.
To share with style in mind: I love learning and assume all people do. But, I need to respect other people’s boundaries regarding my style/their style of sharing. I may love to share what I’m learning but respecting other styles makes the difference between feeling connected and invigorated or feeling annoyed and smothered.
To live with a whole heart: This means being a student of life on life’s terms with heart-mind-body (as inseparable).
To keep connecting to what works: listening to intuition, breathing-meditation, writing what I’m learning to share with interested others, making beauty with my hands, encouraging smarter risk-taking of friends, clients and colleagues.
What are your intentions? I'd love to hear from you!
-------
NOTE: For a copy of your own book to help you set daily intentions, get my downloadable 2009 daily journal called Sound View by following this link!
http://www.lifedesignpublishing.citymax.com/EbookDownloads.html
|
|
