Jane Witherspoon is a Canadian expat adventurer, yoga instructor, and passionate rambler who recently relocated from Panama to Denia, Spain.
Mindful Musings set intentions to provide a guiding point for mindful introspection.
So, how do we define an intention?
Intentions are daily thoughtful actions that help you create a life you desire and enjoy. They allow you to stay focused on the present rather than getting lost or stuck in ruminations over the past and the future.
Setting intentions is not just a philosophical concept but a practical tool that requires conscious efforts to steer our thoughts in the desired direction.
There are various ways to bring intentions into your life. Some people set an intention each morning that they return to throughout the day. They find ways to remind themselves of their purpose as their day progresses and bring their intention into focus via their thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day.
Here are some examples of daily intentions:
- Today, I intend to speak kindly to myself
- Today, I intend to do something that scares me
- Today, I will look to find ways to help and assist others
- Today, I will cultivate and spread positivity
- Today, I will express my gratitude
- Today, I will protect my energy by setting boundaries
- Today, I will make time for myself
- Today, I will pause before reacting
Of course, the list of possible daily intentions is both endless and personal. It may include anything you're struggling with or working on to create positive change in your daily life.
You may also want to think about setting intentions you work on over a course of many days, weeks, or even months. These will be deeper and require much more contemplation and inner work. Examples might be exploring and letting go of past traumas, loss, or painful memories that are negatively impacting your life and how you are living it.
More profound intentional work is scary. Most of us tend to bury painful experiences from our past. However, unresolved trauma festers in our subconscious and shapes us in ways that isn't in our best interest. It can control our lives, impacting our attitudes, actions, and relationships in negative ways.
As I have matured, deeper self-reflections have become a more frequent part of my daily mindful practice. Mid-life and beyond is a life is often when we start to question who we are and why we act and react the way we do. It is also a time when our lives may become less busy, so we have more time and space to reflect and work on letting go of past grievances and building a more joyful life.
Working on these deeper intentions requires contemplation of our past and desires. Still, if done mindfully, it might enable you to let go of past regrets and live more fully in the present moment. Setting aside time to explore your past pains and future fears, using techniques such as journaling or rambling to release them, and then returning to being present in the here and now may leave you feeling unburdened and free.
As so, my Sole Sisters, as you ramble out into your week, set your intentions, big or small, and discover the joy in living fully and mindfully in the present moment.
Intention is the starting point of every dream.
It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love.
Everything that happens in the universe begins with intention…our destiny is ultimately shaped by our deepest intentions and desires. – Deepak Chopra
Intention leads to behaviors
Which lead to habits
Which lead to personality development
Which lead to destiny. - Jack Kornfield
READ MORE > Jane's Mindful Musings, Rambler Cafe
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