Set an intention for the day (DW#728)
Apr 01, 2020
Have you noticed that how we begin our morning often sets the tone for the rest of the day?
I remember as a child when I was grumpy, my mom saying to me, "It looks like you have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed this morning"! (sorry mom!) I now realize what she meant was that if I was grumpy at the beginning of the day, I would likely remain so for the rest of the day.
As an adult, I am beginning to recognize that I can choose "which side of the bed I get out of". That I can practice setting an intention for how I am going to show up in the world today.
Let us remind ourselves what we mean by setting an intention.
An intention is about how we commit to showing up in our life everyday, regardless of what is happening around us. It is a guiding principle or value that we act from, and it is very much based in the present moment.
For example, intentions related to the present crisis might be:
I intend to be kind
I intend to keep my sense of humour
I intend to take myself lightly today
I will practice self-compassion today
I will notice the beauty around me
I will show up with presence/gratitude/courage
Setting an intention does not mean that we will always live up to it.
For example, if today’s intention for myself was to show up with a sense of humour, there will likely be times when I lose it, when I fail to see the humour in my own or someone else’s humane-ness. However, by reminding myself of my intention, I can always pause, breathe, and come back to it in the very next moment.
So when you start your day, pause for just a moment and become present to your intention. What core value or principle will you live from today? Softly announce it to yourself or even to others if appropriate.
Notice the difference it makes in your day and in your interactions with others.
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