As I look back over this past year, I remember so many events that happened. Some of them came to pass with ease; some of them did not. And in my review, I notice one small indicator that appears to ring true for these events. If I was in tension with the actions I was attempting to take, the actions took on a heavy and often unfulfilling energy. When I was intention with my actions, I realized a much lighter and inspiring energy. There even seemed to be a sense of wonder and creativity that came more easily to each and every task.
As I was taught during the early days of my coach training (eighteen years ago), making meaning in one’s life is a function of attaining something that reflects an inner calling, or a longing to be in a particular way. This is how I think of intention. I ‘tend’ to that which is calling me to be the best version of myself. When I set an intention, I let go, loosen up, feel engaged, and rest easy. If I’m in tension, I ‘tend’ to hold tight, need control, lose focus, and become increasingly exhausted and even frustrated. Let me share a personal event of setting my intention this past year.
This time last year, my best friend was beginning to help plan her daughter’s weddings …yes… weddings! One took place in Italy in September, as her daughter married a wonderful man who is a citizen of that country and the other took place in the United States in October, for family and friends of the bride. Both were beautiful occasions filled with love and hold wonderful memories for the bride and groom. And I had the good fortune to join my friend on this journey. Knowing we were embarking on a year-long journey together, I set two intentions: “to be a generous friend” and “to be a creator of beauty”. The question I asked myself daily was simple, “Who am I willing to be to produce an extraordinary result in this situation?” And I knew that my intentions would guide my actions.
As in any journey, there were unexpected bumps and unknown encounters. With my intentions front and center, I was able to take the bumps in stride and do my best to be generous and creative as my friend designed beautiful events for her daughter and now, son-in-law. Oh, did I mention my bestie lives 500 miles away? What actions could I take from so far away to live into my intentions? Well… one action was availability and it was key via texts, phone calls, emails, FaceTime, and in person trips to her hometown. This will be a year that I shall never forget as I was able to navigate the journey with my intentions in front of me. The actions we took, individually and collectively, were exactly what was needed at the time. Knowing that we share these memories – well, it simply doesn’t get or feel any better!
So, as you begin to review your year, think about the intentions you set for yourself? Did you set them monthly, weekly, daily? Did you see them realized over the course of an event as I did? Do you have a longing to be in a particular way that could open doors for you that you’ve only ever imagined? There’s a quiet sense of meaning and purpose that happens when one places intention first. So, if you’re feeling more tension than tending to things that matter most, set your intention and see what happens. And if you’re curious about setting your intentions for 2023 and don’t know where to start, reach out, and together, we’ll tend to who you’re meant to be.
In joy…
Dayle