Intention

Day 14 of 30 Days of Intention: Five ways to build up your intention muscles.

October 24, 2011

I have to confess I thought this challenge would be easy.  Choosing one action, something important to me, keeping my word and paying attention while I did it didn’t seem that painful.  One part doing what I say I would do and one part being present during the process.  I wanted to be intentional.

Webster Dictionary’s definition of intention…

          “  The quality or state of having a purpose in mind.  “

          “ An aim or objective.  Something that somebody plans to do. “

It turns out I’m rusty.  My “intention-muscle” has atrophied from lack of use.  So many days of sleep walking through my routines and the simple act of paying attention during a rousing game of “Scrabble Slap” with my 9 year old left me feeling as tired as a January 1st workout.  Present living was simultaneously rewarding and tiring.

Intention cannot be called up at a whim.  Not multi-tasking, forsaking all else to give yourself to that moment will not be easy.  You can work out your intention muscles with five exercises:

  1. Once a day, do one thing in one moment.  Some of you remember a pre-smart phone, social networking time when your car was place you could a) talk to the passengers in the car and b) drive.  There is value in focusing on one action at a time.  Your brain needs it.  Your soul needs it.
  2. Assess the needs of the day.  You might have a grocery shopping routine or a predictable schedule but don’t forget no two days are alike.  There is a careful balance between soldiering on through distractions and completely ignoring everything that is not on the planned program.  What do you need today?  Extra sleep.  Time with your children.  A serious talk with the one you love.  A hug from your mom.  Figure it out and offer it to yourself intentionally.
3.  Assess the needs of the day.  You might have a grocery shopping routine or a predictable schedule but don’t forget no two days are alike.  There is a careful balance between soldiering on through distractions and completely ignoring everything that is not on the planned program.  What do you need today?  Extra sleep.  Time with your children.  A serious talk with the one you love.  A hug from your mom.  Figure it out and offer it to yourself intentionally. 
4.  Keep your word to you.  If you don’t want a rusted out, busted out intention-abilities, do what you say you will do.  It is part of the exercise. 
5.  Expect to be tired.  Intentional living is a little like working out.  You might not feel like doing it.  It may take some strength and effort during the process.  You could feel a little tired when you are done.  I promise you will get stronger over time.  You are investing in a healthy future of unconscious competence.  You don’t want to sleep walk through your life.
6.  See the connections.  The big unexpected gift of intentional living comes from taking the second and burying yourself in the moment.  You will see connections you would otherwise miss while you are sleepwalking.  The color of the fall leaves or the sweet smell of your daughter’s skin or the enchanting feeling as you sink into bed in the middle of the day for a nap will bring forth unexpected context and you will find yourself with the solutions you were looking for. Those connections come from conscious living.

I think the remainder of my THIRTY DAYS OF INTENTION is going to easy.  I’m going to give myself to the moments and find the joy in each act.  And by the time this is over I’m going to be in shape!  Intentionally, that is.

If you want more inspiration, sign up for a 30 Day Challenge (www.30daysofyou.com) , check out Life Dare TV (www.lifedare.tv) and get inspired (www.neadinspiration.com).  Also, register at lifedare.tv to win an I-Pad2 by entering your name and e-mail.

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4 Comments

  • Susan
    October 25, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    Love it. you know i started my 30-Day challenge on September 21st. I can’t believe that it is over. It turned into something that I had not expected. What I was looking for was personal space in light of the fact that I felt I had absolutely none. Instead, due to a change in circumstances, I’ve had a 3 week retreat, where once I’ve gotten “home”, there are no outside distractions such as tv, cable, internet or telephone, other than my cell. My change in circumstances has not been advertised, so people are assuming that I have family obligations that are not there. Instead I’ve been able/confronted with this vast amount of personal space. I’ve grown and found an inner peace, realized that the inner strength I always knew was there really was and that the spiritual side of me found its wings and spread them. I haven’t found my way to the inside of a church but I spend so much time focusing on my wants, my needs, my goals for the short-term and the future, that I’ve found there is a whole new world out there waiting full of promise and wonder. There are challenges ahead but I’m strong enough and ready to take them on. I’m not moping. I’m excited and eager to move ahead through this phase of my life. I know that better things are around the corner.

    Vision Boards and a Board of Positive Sayings that speak to me are there to help. Being surrounded by beauty, wonderful people I want to spend time with and being happy are a start. The biggest thing I got out of this 30 Day Challenge was that I found PEACE, a deep and profound inner peace that came when I gave myself time. Yes, stress does come, but I know that I can control that by making sure that I give me some me time to relax and unwind during the day. it’s a lesson I hope never to forget. I’m likely to have to incorporate time for me into other challenges. Next one begins November 1st. I may make it last a bit longer or take on another “simpler one” on top of the November challenge in December. I have to decide. I’m either going to quit smoking or start working out regularly (yuck, yuck) on November 1. Since it is a long term goal, 30-days is a good start, 60 would bring it home I think as far a really making something a habit.

  • Liz
    October 26, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Susan- your openness is an inspiration. I really notice a difference in your tone and your level of optimism for the future. You did the work and it paid off! You began a relationship with yourself that will continue as long as you want it. I know that the idea of 30 day challenges related to health seem antiquated but let’s come up with something FUN! Just remember this isn’t a utilitarian process. It’s a communication thing- getting to know yourself. You are a smart and energized person. So what, in your head, is standing in the way of doing the right thing for your health? THAT is where the challenge has to start. SO EXCITED FOR YOU!

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