set an intention
Do you ever make a plan and then get distracted?
I do!
It’s easy to get discouraged or burnt out when we don’t reach our goals in the timeframe we expect.
That is why I prefer to set intentions.
Today we are diving into intention setting: what it is + what it isn’t.
The difference is subtle, but makes a big difference mentally.
what is an intention?
An intention is an aim that guides action. It is also an act or instance of mentally determining an action.
An intention is not a goal with a measurable outcome. An intention is not a set of steps to reach a goal. An intention is simply a guiding principle for how one wants to show up in this world.
I set an Intention and then I forgot. What now?
Anyone else? This is me, for sure! The way our brains are wired (for survival!), we prioritize what’s most important and put everything else on autopilot.
Have you ever woken up in the morning, remembered that you want to reach out to a friend, and then promptly forgotten? Then *something* happens later (the next day, week, month, or year) to bring it to mind again. As humans we tend to respond with shame, frustration, regret, guilt, or an amalgam of emotions. However our brains are simply doing what they need to do to survive.
That is why I use reminders to stay on track. After my brain injury, I need more and more reminders to cultivate new habits or anything outside of my routine. In speech therapy, I got to learn oodles of tools to help.
One of my favorite tools to remind me of my daily intention is to use a visual aide. Some of my visual reminders drive Brian crazy (I leave my laundry hamper out in our bathroom when I need to remember to do laundry, I set my lunchbox by the front door to remember to fill it, etc).
Fortunately today’s intention setting reminder is much more visually appealing than a pile of dirty lululemon. Today’s intention is inspired by my Gorjana jewelry.
Take a deep breath and come back to your intention.
In this photo, I’m wearing:
Parker Gem Necklace in Pink Tourmaline
Parker Hamsa CharmAmara Ring Set
Pink Tourmaline is an empowering stone. Hamsa is a universal signal for the hand and warding off evil.
Love pink 💗
In this photo I’m wearing:
Power Gemstone Bracelet for Compassion
Power Gemstone Aura Bracelet for Compassion
Power Gemstone Charm Necklace for Love
Kara Heart Bracelet
My bracelets remind me to practice compassion for my self + others.
giving back
As a Gorjana partner, I receive a commission on purchases made through my link. This month, I’m donating my commissions in honor of my friend Michelle + her fight with breast cancer.
Further, Gorjana is donating 50% of the proceeds of their Power Gemstone Bracelet for Compassion (pictures above) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
If you make a purchase through my link below, please message me so I can thank you + donate my commission to Michelle’s charity of choice.
My intention today is to be present + provide tools/support for others to practice presence, too. If you’d like to practice intention setting, keep reading!
Set an intention in one mindful minute
Today’s mindful minute is a simple tool to STOP (a handy acronym for the steps of the tool) and check in.
Try it, right now. Whatever you’re doing, take one minute to do this exercise.
Remember that you can always download the slide and save it to your phone (when we’re stressed, we will not naturally remember to be mindful!).
Today’s mindful minute exercise is to set an intention.
Now that you have practiced the tool . . .
What do you notice?
Try to answer without judgement. Whatever you notice is simply what you noticed; it’s not right, wrong, or indifferent.
Can you make a reminder to yourself to do this once a day this week??