Have you ever felt like you go through the motions each day as though you’re on a hamster wheel? Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the momentum that it is hard to know how to step off and what to do next.
Imagine that you could step into the Director’s chair and proactively choose how your year will roll out? This IS a reality, and it starts with making intentions.
An intention is a carefully crafted, purposeful dedication to how you will BE in 2024, as opposed to what you will DO. Different from a resolution (which is a goal), the essence of your intention is how you will show up in working toward that goal.
A resolution is often designed to change something we consider “wrong” or “bad.” We may want to lose 15 pounds, stop eating sugar, keep the house clean or become a daily art-maker. However, did you know that over 90% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned within the first few months? Too often, we try to muscle our way into achieving goals, using willpower to change behavior. This proves challenging because our brain’s behavioral inclinations are very strong. When we try to resist cravings cold-turkey, or start something new without ample preparation, we often lose control and fall back into our original pattern of behavior, only now with an added layer of self-judgment.
Setting an intention, on the other hand, empowers you to become a conscious creator of each day. Let’s try it right now…Pause for a moment and ask yourself, “How do I want to BE in the world today?” Don’t judge your response; just write down your word or phrase. Voila…an intention!
Our intention is like an anchor that keeps us steady as we drift. Even with a well thought out intention, expect to stray. Remember, this is very common and completely normal. In fact, a helpful mindfulness practice for these times is self-compassion, which reminds us to stay curious and gentle with ourselves. When we remember how we intend to show up each day for ourselves, for each other and in each interaction, and also to return to this intention without judgment, we can better accept the reality, the beauty and the opportunities in our imperfections.
So, how are you going to BE this year? Interested in learning more about setting intentions this year? Join us on January 23rd for the Seed of Life Intention-Setting Workshop when we will craft our intentions for the new year together and create a beautiful seed of life image.
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We wish you a fresh, invigorating and beautiful start to the new year, and many moments of creativity, peace and love in 2024.
Happy new year from A Mindful Line.
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