New Year, New Intentions

“Intention is more than wishful thinking it’s willful direction. It is a philosophy of the heart put into practice, a consistency of conscious patterns of thought, energy, and action. Through intention, we see more and create with more clarity, passion, and authenticity. Our attention then becomes a spotlight for every shred of supporting evidence that we’re on the right path.” – Pinterest meme from Jen at aimhappy.com

I looked up the meaning of two words in the online dictionary that seem to pop up more and more this time of year.

Resolution vs. Intention.

New Year’s resolutions don’t really work for me. I’ve tried them many times but usually, after a couple of weeks or a month, I’ve forgotten about them. Of course, I have good “intentions” when I write them but life always seems to take me in another direction because I lose focus and enthusiasm for whatever it was I wrote in my journal on January first of whatever year and never looked back to read again.

I love the quote above, specifically, when she describes intention as a “philosophy of the heart put into practice, a consistency of conscious patterns of thought, energy, and action.” This description and the two definitions clarify for me the roadmap of where and how I want to move forward in 2023.

Resolution is such a strong, forceful word. Something you would hear in a board room meeting in a dark wood-paneled conference room while discussing budgets and cutting costs. Ewww. It feels very harsh, like an all or nothing ultimatum. It has somewhat of a negative connotation for me.

The word intention on the other hand feels a little softer and more fluid. Like something I could work with, mold and shape, and if I failed, I could try again. I also like that it is linked to medicine as if we are healing something with our intentions.

I credit Oprah with my personal discovery a couple of years ago of setting daily intentions. She credits Gary Zukav and his book Seat of the Soul. Which is now one of my all-time favorite books. Apparently, Oprah changed the entire way her now-famous Oprah Winfrey Show was run back in the day and this change made it the success story we know today.

Gary says, “you create your reality with your intentions.” Our lives are a reflection of our intentions, thoughts, beliefs, judgments, actions, etc. So look around. Do you like what you see?

This new year, I’m focused on my intentions (and not resolutions). Not just for the overall year but for every day, and every moment. I now know that I have an opportunity to change the story of my life from minute to minute. I don’t need to wait for a new year, a new job, a new relationship, etc. etc.

When I started this blog, I don’t think I had a clear intention of what I wanted it to be. It’s taken me some time to get a feel for what I am doing and what I want to communicate. This is what I’ve decided. I want this blog or platform, where I share my personal thoughts and life, to be uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring. My intention is that when I hit the “share” button, the words go out over the internet and into your inbox on your phone or computer with authenticity, love, kindness, inspiration, encouragement, and anything else that helps to raise the vibe within you. I know that sounds hokey and even a little silly to some people, but it’s true. I’m so depleted and exhausted from seeing the news and hateful social media posts that only want to tell me everything that is wrong with the world and the people in it, instead of showing me all the things I could enjoy and be grateful for. My intention is to grow this little community that we’ve started (thank you for your encouragement – as I’ve said before, you are a small but loyal bunch) and use this platform not just to communicate with me, but with each other in a positive and healthy manner. I love when I read a little something from one of you in the comment section. It truly makes my day. Thank you.

My hope is that when you read these words, it enhances your life. Listen, I get it, we are living in the busiest and fastest information age ever. You could spend your time reading, watching, or listening, to so many other things other than this blog so I want to make sure that the content is enjoyable and something that interests you. I will do my best with every post I send. I promise.

My second intention has to do with self-care. In prior years, I would have written something like “lose 20 lbs.” or “go on a diet”.” This year, I want to live with a daily intention about my physical being. I intend to be mindful when I select the food for my meals, move my body a little bit more each day, and rest without guilt when my body or mind needs a break. And when I don’t make the best choices or move as much as I want to, I intend to acknowledge it, let it go, and move forward making better decisions. I will be kind to myself instead of mentally beating myself up, as I did in the past.

Lastly, I intend to find joy in each day. I love to have fun and laugh but these last couple of years have been a little melancholy. I’m ready to bring happiness back to my day-to-day life.

I’m looking forward to 2023. Not in an overly enthusiastic way that will eventually lose steam but in a gentle glide that is open to all possibilities of what is to come.

What are your intentions for 2023?

Luca and I had a discussion about this topic over the weekend, so here is how we welcomed 2023. It was my first ride on a Ferris wheel. Can you believe it? It was such great fun!

Onward and upward, dear friends. Cheers to a new year of intentions.

Also, if you would like to gift a subscription to The Wondering Wanderer, I would be grateful for the recommendation.

Goodnight and much love from Florence!