Setting Ones Intentions
From the blog, “Be the best you can Be”.
Welcome, the topic for today is, “Setting Ones Intentions.”
#1
Setting Ones Intentions
Let’s ask ourselves some questions. Why do we bother? Does it really make a difference? Are you happy where you are? Is there more than what meets the eye? There are many things to think about when setting one’s intentions.
Let’s consider a few points on different approaches in viewing our lives as we know them. I myself have used each approach pretty well in the order I am sharing them. This has been my journey. If this relates to you great. If it doesn’t that is fine too. I am merely presenting my experiences and the different approaches, to share and see if others can or have related to them in the past.
First approach – is taking days as they come, comme ci comme ça…. neither good nor bad.
Its like going about your every day life as the status quo. Experiencing the pros and cons as we walk through it. Not seeking a direction or feeling a purpose just going along for the ride and see where it takes you and what comes from it. Its like a sailboat allowing the wind to take you wherever it wants to. Enjoying the ride but no real direction, you have an idea but its not clear. To wake up only to do it again for another day. This is nice and enjoyable to a degree but in time can lose its intrigue and interest drops considerably.
As an outsider looking in at this approach one may think where are you going? Where are you headed? Maybe, it doesn’t matter? Is there a purpose? Is there a plan? Who is to say? Just go out and catch some wind and see where it takes me.
Now, this was my approach to life for many years until I felt that there had to be more. I wasn’t satisfied. I didn’t feel like I was much a part of it, let alone contributing to my world around me. I felt like I was sitting back being a spectator in the theatre of my life, actually watching it but not participating. An attitude of you, get what you are given and that’s it. When I started to question myself on how I approached my view of life I struggled that there had to be more. I needed to contribute to something outside of myself. There had to be more, more of what I could experience but was missing. I had this kind of approach growing up and mostly through my teens where of course I started to have my own thoughts wanted to explore them and because of this, I started to break out from this mold. As a child, I was brought up to be seen and not heard around adults, “Don’t speak unless you have been spoken to”, this falls into the acceptance of this approach. I finally get it but I didn’t stay there forever. Yeh
The 2nd approach was setting goals. This started in high school and followed me to job interviews, the actual jobs and so on. Drilled into us if we are going to get somewhere in our life, we need a plan. Nothing wrong with that, it makes sense. It was a way of showing us that if we have a plan, execute it, we will get there.
We are all familiar with this, whether they are long- or short-term goals. A purpose, a plan, a destination which involves commitment to see it through. This is what I want, this is the plan to get there, these are the actions I need to take. Now sometimes the goal may need to change along the way as circumstances change. An example could be: let’s say you are going after a promotion at work. One, you have been seeking after for a long time. You prepare, go to the interview, feel incredible about it, and then you find out they hire someone else for that very position. You did everything right yet you were over looked. You have been crushed but ultimately you need to move on. Many people set goals for different reasons trying to achieve different outcomes. We have all been there. Some goals are very successful in passing the finish line while other goals sometimes are barely out of the starting gate. We set goals to try to accomplish something, or change something, or just be different, it doesn’t matter we are all to familiar with the pros and cons of setting goals.
This is one way of moving forward in some capacity. Whether its for status, hoping for a better life, it could be anything and with that by putting steps in place hopes that it comes to fruition.
Goals have a set plan on how to get there and the joy comes at the end, if the goal is reached.
Though, if the actual goal posts are moved along the way which often happens, the plan set in motion takes a turn and the plan is either disregarded or needs immediate attention. We all respond differently to outcomes in our lives. It really depends on the driving force behind it or not.
OK, so we jump back into the sailboat. Set a destination, keep our focus and make it to that point across the shore. Was it rewarding, did I contribute to it? I made a choice and went after it.
Ok so no longer waiting to see what will happen as in the first approach, I made it happen. I made some decisions and took action. I actually participated in the outcome. The sailboat is pushed around by the wind, so you get there but it most definitely is not a straight line. You focussed on the end point in site and you got there.
So, to sum up the first two approaches to my life experiences in general.
1st approach to life is more like a spectator. You are very much there but life happens around and to you. You accept it as that is just the way it should be. Kind of like watching a movie. You see it and sometimes become emotionally attached to certain characters but when you leave the theatre you think well that was a good movie. Knowing you had nothing to do with the outcome. We always need to wait to the end to see what happens.
2nd approach, setting goals – If we set a course of where we want to go, we know our destination, set a path to get there. We don’t feel lost, enjoy the ride and actually arrive as long as the goal posts haven’t moved to much.
Both above approaches may be enjoyable but one, I found to be much more fulfilling.
Now lastly, lets talk about setting one’s intentions
What does it mean, to set one’s intention? Is there a process? What am I responsible for?
Knowing the why behind the intention, matters. What’s the fuel that will make it go.
Intentions though similar to goals I find take the experience to a whole different level, if you will: a dream, a desire with passion. Imagine your dreams coming to you on steroids. More then wishful thinking or something you are trying to achieve. We set the intention, knowing what we want, share our hopes and desires, take appropriate steps and let source, God, the universe, whomever or whatever you relate to, bring it about. Moving forward I will reference our higher power as the universe. Yes, we actually take steps but then let go and receive the mystery of it all. Sometimes your intention may come about right away, while other times it may take a little longer to manifest.
Regardless of the path it takes there is joy along the way. We are not responsible for how our intention is delivered to us, but we are responsible for keeping it alive. How do we keep it alive? It might have started as a thought, more focus and quickly grows into a desire and becomes a passion you just don’t want to let pass you by. It literally takes on a whole new life of its own. You become excited; your heart starts pounding when you think about it. It becomes larger and more real with each passing day.
*** Something that is part of the process and is very important to be aware of.
Though at times the reality of the manifestation may not be right in front of you at that present moment, the reality within yourself is so real and present the experience may very well be. I’m going to say that again.
As this continues to grow within yourself, the excitement, the passion, the joy. This is what keeps your intention alive, believing as its already manifested.
Remember we have a part to play, giving it life by putting our intentions out there. The universe also plays its part and is responsible for bringing it about.
So, with setting intentions. You have a goal in mind. You have a place to put your focus and a sense of joy and satisfaction both enroute and once you get there. We are not responsible for the how, or the timing on the delivery side.
When setting intentions something to consider:
If we surrender the timing, that is when things start to happen. Determining when you want something this may limit the evolve and plan of the universe. Don’t stand in the way or restrict the flow from happening by putting restrictions and limitations. The universe always delivers, let it do it its own way and timing. Believe it is so and let go.
Summing up …
Setting goals do have their place but for myself I would rather set intentions as they go so much further in my experience. When setting intentions, you enjoy the process and the mystery of how it will all come together, no matter if it takes turns, the goal posts are moved or the unexpected happens. It doesn’t matter.
One final note …
Something else that needs to be mentioned and very important to realize here. If your core values are for the betterment of yourself, others and the world then your intentions are aligned with the universe and will be fulfilled, no question, guaranteed.
The timing is not for us to say but the intention is.
Feel free to listen to the audio.
Thank you for sharing your time with us and until next time stay safe, happy and healthy.
Take care Julie