Introduction:
Creating a New Year's intention shifts the focus from specific outcomes to the quality of presence and energy you bring to your life. Unlike resolutions, which often hinge on achieving specific goals or milestones, intentions are rooted in the way you wish to engage with yourself, others, and the world. They invite you to align with your deepest values and cultivate the energy you want to embody.
Resolutions and Intentions:
Resolutions:
Specific and measurable objectives
Outcome-focused, striving for particular results
Often time-bound, with deadlines or set timeframes for achievement
Potential for disappointment if goals aren't attained as planned
Intentions:
Focused on the essence of being present, quality of aliveness, deepening relationship with the divine, others and self
Emphasis on embodiment, energy, awareness, and the essence of being, 'isness'
Encouragement of a deeper union with the divine in all facets of life
Deeper Explanation of Intentions:
An intention is less about "fixing" something and more about choosing how you will show up, regardless of external circumstances. For example, instead of resolving to "exercise five days a week," an intention might be "to care for my body with love and respect." This creates space for compassion, adaptability, and authenticity in your actions.
The beauty of an intention is that it supports you in every moment, offering a grounding point for navigating life with awareness and purpose. It fosters a sense of being rather than striving, encouraging a life lived in alignment with your truest self.
General Process:
To create a New Year's intention, begin by reflecting on what truly matters to you. Ask yourself:
How do I want to feel?
What qualities do I want to nurture in myself?
What energy do I want to bring into my interactions and experiences?
Your intention could be a single word, phrase, or sentence that resonates deeply, such as presence, courage, compassion, or "to live with curiosity and grace."
Once set, let your intention guide your choices and actions. Unlike resolutions, which are often pass/fail, intentions are dynamic and evolve with you. You can return to them as touchstones, recalibrating your energy and focus as needed throughout the year.
Discerning a New Year Intention:
Discerning a New Year intention involves a reflective presence to connect with the essence of being and align with the qualities you wish to embody throughout the year.
Reflect on Your Values: Begin by contemplating your core values, those guiding principles that shape your life. Consider what virtues or qualities resonate deeply with you.
Connect with Essence: Explore what it means to be present, to embody the 'isness' of life. Reflect on moments when you felt truly alive, connected, and in tune with yourself and the world around you.
Deepen Spiritual Connection: Explore your relationship with the divine, however you perceive it. Reflect on how you can nurture and deepen this connection in your daily life.
Identify Energizing Qualities: Consider the qualities that energize and uplift you. These could be traits like kindness, resilience, compassion, or mindfulness.
Embody Essence in Action: Envision how these qualities manifest in actions. How would embodying these qualities influence your interactions with others, your self-care practices, or your approach to challenges?
Assess Alignment: Evaluate if these intentions align with your values and your longing for a deeper connection with the divine, others, and yourself. Check if these intentions resonate with your deeper sense of being and aliveness.
Set an Intention: Based on this reflection, set an intention that encapsulates the essence of what you wish to embody. Phrase it in a way that feels empowering and resonates with your soul.
Visualize Integration: Visualize how this intention integrates into your life. Envision situations where you embody this intention and the impact it has on your well-being and relationships.
Regular Reminders: Create reminders or practices to keep this intention present in your daily life. Whether through meditation, journaling, or affirmations, find ways to reinforce this intention regularly.
Embrace Flexibility: Unlike resolutions, intentions are not fixed. Embrace the flexibility to evolve and adapt your intention as your journey unfolds throughout the year.
Remember, the essence of setting a New Year intention is to align with the deeper qualities of being and the connection with the divine and others, fostering a life rich in energy, awareness, and embodiment.