In a comment to a recent post, regular reader, Bill, asked: "How do you get a clear intention?" It is one of those things you might think you should have, but how do you have an intention be really clear? After all, we have heard that the road to hell is paved with "good" intentions.
Good is not enough. Who says what is good or bad? We may think something is good because everyone seems to sign up for it. Good is subjective. Your good might be my nightmare -- going on a 5-mile daily hike, for example. Each of us has our preferences.
There are a few ways to approach the diamond of clear intention. Like polishing a facet, you might strip away things you do not need. Right, it might be fun to buy another computer game. But do you need it? Knowing what you absolutely do not want is another way to strip off the excesses. Clear the clutter -- material objects and even other people's opinions of what you should do and want -- and deep down, you find the shining diamond of what is true for you.
So what do you need? An income? Get clear about how much you are needing and go after that. Really go after it. With a clear intention, your creative juices can get to work. Even in a bad economy, there are people who find a way to offer a good service for which there is a need. If you are running a business, step back and reevaluate how you operate. Find ways to become more effective and upgrade your services or products.
Recently, I heard the story of a woman who weighed more than 300 pounds. She'd had enough with being, as she saw it, overweight. Her intention was clear to drop some weight. After sticking to a specific diet and walking two miles every day, she was able to drop 150 pounds. This method might not be for you, if you are in a similar situation. The point is that she had a clear and workable intention, and it worked for her.
Never underestimate the power and capacity of your loving human spirit. You might find that you could surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish.
A need most of us have is to give something of ourselves, if not for paid employment then in a voluntary capacity. You may have a skill, talent or gift that as you give it brings you to life, energizes and revitalizes you. What is that? Speaking, acting, listening, painting, singing, cooking or sharing encouragement or inspiration, for example.
The vitality of your expression can ignite others to express themselves more fully. You never know when you may sow a seed that brings new life and pleasure to someone else. Recently, I received a note from a friend on Facebook to tell me that 25 years ago, I had taken him along to a Toastmaster meeting in London. I had forgotten about it. He is now president of his local Toastmaster organization and remembered the introduction I had given him.
You never know.
Listen to your heart. What do I mean by that? Too often, we have a seed idea and mention it to a friend who pours cold water all over it. Sometimes it is good to hold the idea in your heart and let it grow within you before airing it to the world. Some people are encouraging. Many are not.
There is not (yet) a "clear intention club" that you can join for encouragement and further inspiration -- or that I know about. Listen to your own "still small voice." Journal it. Dream about it -- and make a note of your dreams on waking up. Ask it questions. Let it talk to you. You can do a pen and paper dialogue with that voice of truth within you. Let it reveal its wisdom to you. Do not be tempted to edit what you hear. Not at first.
Simply listen for the shining clarity within you. It is there. Be patient. Relax into it. Your intention is within you. Connecting clearly with it could assist you to connect more effectively with people around you, enriching you in the process.
Here is a simple rule of thumb. A clear intention will have the energy of enthusiasm behind it, a clear idea of what to do and definite actions that you can take to fulfill it. If any one of those is missing, then your intention will not be clear.
How does clear intention relate to wealth, such that it would be included in wealth school? It is not what you do, or what you have, but how you experience your life that constitutes true wealth. All the money in the world cannot buy trust, clarity and peace of mind, for example, if you are feeling stressed by your work, pressured in your relationships or unable to sleep at night. What main quality characterizes a fulfilling life for you? Start within you and build out from there.
A clear intention is less something you have to "work at" and more a matter of receiving. To be open and most receptive, keep moving and completing what you have immediately at hand. The little daily tasks like cleaning up, throwing out the rubbish, keeping your papers in order, taking the next step with the project your are working on. Savour and make the most of whatever the present moment offers you. Cultivate a sense of gratitude for all that you presently enjoy and appreciate, within and around you.
Ask inwardly to be shown and in perfect timing, your clear intention will be given to you. How will you be sure that it is clear? You will simply know it. It will be unshakeable within you.
What clear intention do you presently have -- that you are willing to reveal? How is it working for you in your life?
Wishing you health, wealth and happiness -- in all of the many ways it can come to you!
Please leave a comment below or drop me a line at wealthminister@mac.com. I would love to hear from you.
Follow Anne Naylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Anne4Joy
It is very likely that in the example above, the 300 pound woman who lost weight had worked through a quite a few emotional issues before she ever got to the point where she took action on her problem. In other words, she lowered the level of her fear until it was finally low enough for her to overcome it.
By honoring our fear, we learn to accept its existence and don't have to deal with any "fear of fear."
By honouring fear, you are not making it the bad guy, which to me is so wise. I imagine that fear as an issue may be an underlying factor with many who attempt to lose weight. I had not seen it that way before.
I appreciate your commenting.
Anne
“It is not what you do, or what you have, but how you experience your life that constitutes true wealth. All the money in the world cannot buy trust, clarity and peace of mind ... What main quality characterizes a fulfilling life for you? Start within you and build out from there.â€
What a marvelous string of wise thoughts!
Yes, there certainly can be a closing off of acceptance when dithering about with the trivia of external activities, unaware, unappreciative, and uninformed; is it not odd that such empty doing can so fill the moments between each tick and tock and eventually eat away what time there is for what we, in our hearts, know we should do, whether it be a daily task or following true intentions. Too many are left in the wake of blind living when what it took was opening eyes and hearts to experience their true self: purpose, passion, intention.
As for my intention, it is to find my place among those who can make a contribution to the next generation as I continue to seek significance in myself. It's not about leaving a mark so much as leaving the right mark... I'm working on that wealth. :)
Grateful as always,
Lawson
What a joy to see you here this sunny Sunday morning!
I love the image of moments between the tick and tock! Yes, yes to : "Too many are left in the wake of blind living when what it took was opening eyes and hearts to experience their true self: purpose, passion, intention."
Seems to me that you are right on track with your wealth. Sometimes, we have to stray a little off track - gathering useful items on the way - and yet as we stay focussed on the ultimate and greater intention, the beans come in. Not sure where that idea comes from. But I hope you know what I mean!
Grateful gets you there....
Joy and happiness to you, and thank you as always for your contribution,
Anne
Often it is the little things: your use of "with" rather than "toward" my wealth is significant. Too often people appear to see the destination over the journey and in so doing, miss becoming what they could be along the way. If you get to the market without gathering your beans, you arrive empty handed... so to speak... and what was the point?
I am glad you liked the tick/tock reference, it is a favorite of mine in that it represents the filling of time and existence of moments: as with the moments between each heart beat, life still goes on. It is not a matter being "busy," but one of being aware of, focused on, and grateful for those moments.
For me, joy comes from sharing, and happiness from appreciation: you have given me both...
Lawson
PS: Seriously, do you really get up at 5:30 on a Sunday? :p
To be of service -
To not put anyone out of my heart!
How is it working for you in your life?
It's a blessing :-))
Thank you for the warmth and generosity that you are.
Loving you,
Anne
" ...clarity wells up inside of me in its own perfect timing and I have learned to recognize and honor it. "
Profound authenticity - love that too!
Love and blessings to you,
Anne
Clear intention, for me, is the ability to tune into and trust that inner voice of wisdom that knows all along, the path I must follow. When I trust and follow its guidance, my life unfolds with grace. When I doubt, question or hesitate, or my Ego thinks it knows better, I complicate things and the way ahead is met with barriers. Case in point:
I'd been thinking about adopting a puppy and spent considerable time looking online for the right one. One day, in a meditation, I "got" this wasn't the path for me, that my life was not going to support this decision. The message was so clear at the time. But my Ego thought differently, so I kept on looking and eventually found what I thought was the right pet.
We lasted together for 24 hrs. It was a disaster! Fortunately, I'd taken him on a "trial" basis, so I was able to send him back to his original owner, a lovely woman who adored him, but whose life had become too complicated to keep him. He had so many "issues", I was clear this was not in the cards for me. And I recalled my meditation wherein I was clearly told not to do it.
A great lesson for me to trust and follow my inner guidance. It always knows the truth!
Thanks Anne. So good to have your voice here!
Much love,
Judith
What a great story about listening to your guidance. It affirms for me the value of listening to that wonderful and rich resource we have within us, at all times! What a gift that is.
With much love to you,
Anne
in spite of what every spiritual teacher says about the want of wealth.
and this article on the spiritual page.
got to love american spiritualism and how it blends its capitalist agenda into spiritually. or not. :-)
At the core of spirit is love, as I see it. Can we learn more about loving - ourselves and others? I think so.
Happy weekend to you,
Anne
It is pretty much a given that everyone need to know fiance because that is going to be a large part of your life no matter what you do.
The other skills like a Businessman need to know all the jobs and the skills needed so he will know if employees are doing it right or robbing him blind.
What you write points up to me how we are all needing to learn to be more accountable, finding out what that means and following through. I appreciate your observations.
Wishing you happiness and peace,
Anne