Intentional Living & Why it matters

Why do some of us struggle, feel empty, unhappy, unsatisfied with our lives, while others seem to live fulfilling, happy lives?

The key lies in this word: Intention.

What exactly is intention? Most of us understand this as the meaning, or reason behind what we do (action), or don’t do (inaction). When something happens (someone dies), judgement is often determined based not just on the action itself, but also on the intention of the actor: Someone who receives CPR dies. In this case, the one performing the CPR, if proven to have performed it correctly, is considered kind, helpful. He/she is not seen as a killer or criminal. Your underlying intention is often more important than our actions.

Ssome also refer to intention as a strong sense of purpose, or calling. Nort Thornton, head coach of the California Golden Bears men’s swimming and diving team at the University of California (1974-2007) shares a powerful speech on the power of Intention:

“If you have ever felt inspired by a purpose, or a calling – you know the feeling of spirit working through you. This is much like being in a “zone” (no effort – great things just keep happening). Intention is a force that we all have within us, a field of energy that flows invisibly beyond the reach of our normal, everyday habitual patterns. Some call this “future pull”. You get what you intend to create by being in harmony with the power of intention, which is responsible for all of creation. When you become one with intention, you are transcending the ego.

For some people, intention is reason why they wake up every morning, why they do what they do, why they are happy, and why they feel alive. If you haven’t already found your calling, finding it and living, staying with it is easier said than done. This is because of our Ego. What is the Ego? It is an idea of who you are, a sense of your own value or importance. And your Ego feeds itself by comparing with others.

The power of intention is like the ocean, while the ego is like a ripple on the ocean. The ego sees itself as the whole ocean, while it is only a ripple. The ego compares itself to other ripples. It feels bad because another wave has a better shape, or more surfers on it etc (Ego is simple an idea of who we are, that we carry around with us).
The problem is when we misidentify who we truly are by identifying yourself as your body, your achievements, and/or your possessions. IF you think this way, you identify people who have accomplished less as inferior and you as superior. This causes you to be constantly offended in one way or another. This misidentification is that source of most of our problems.

How can you become one with the Power of Intention? Begin by allowing yourself to Let go of these 7 things:

1) Stop being offended – you cannot control the actions of others (things that offend you only weaken you).

2) Let go of the need to judge people as winners and losers. It is impossible to win all the time. It is better to measure your individual performance. Do not assume that the opposite of winning is losing.

3) Let go of the need to be right (and making everyone else wrong). Do you want to be right, or happy?

4) Let go of having to feel superior to others (only judge your own progress).

5) Let go of the need to have more, and never feeling satisfied. St. Francis of Assisi said, “It is in giving that we receive.”

6) Let go of identifying with your achievements. Give the credit to the power of intention. Be grateful for the abilities you have been given, the motivation to achieve, and the stuff you have accumulated. The less you need to take credit for your achievements, and the more connected to the source that you can stay, the more free you are to achieve, and the more will show up in your life.

7) Let go of your reputation – your reputation is not located in you. It resides in the minds of others. You have no control over it. If you worry about how others perceive you then your ego is in control. This is an illusion that stands between you and the power of intention.

While you permit yourself to let go, connect with the Power of Intention by allowing yourself to change the way you look at things.

1) Detach from outcome, and take responsibility for what does reside in you – your character. One of the best ways to check yourself, to see what your obstacles are to connecting with the power of intention is to monitor your inner dialogue. Notice how much of your thought focuses on what is missing, the negative circumstances, the past, and the opinions of others. The more cognizant you become of your inner speech, the sooner you will be able to change to a new inner dialogue which is connected to the power of intention.

2) Resolve to function in a higher energy way. Everything, which includes your thoughts, has an energy frequency that can be calibrated to determine whether it will strengthen or weaken you. People who live their lives connected with the field of intention are “connectors” who have made themselves available for success. They aren’t pessimistic about what they desire. They have an inner conviction that the universal source will supply everything. Connectors are highly inspired people. They are inspired and inspiring. Their level of energy is exceptionally high. They don’t dwell on illness or disease – they see the beauty in the world. They never can know enough, they are inquisitive about life. They love life and people in their lives.

3) View the obstacles as opportunities. To stay connected to the power of intention, this means being at peace, detaching you from the circumstances and seeing yourself as an observer rather than a victim. It is best described as going on a train ride. You know the destination, and you only have to decide to climb aboard and go for the ride. There are many stops along the way. Some different people get on, or get off. Some may even get on again. You do not have to worry about destination you just relax and go along the ride – all the time knowing where you will end up.

4) Stay focused on the individual progress that you are making. After many little stops along the way eventually you will pull into the station of your original intention. As long as you stayed on the train and stay connected it will be an enjoyable effortless journey.

5) Keep your thoughts on what you intend to create. Everything that shows up in your life is there because the power of intention intended it there. Connectors don’t place their thoughts on what they don’t want, because, the source will send back what you are thinking about. Connectors tend to think from the end. They can see what it is they intend to manifest into their lives as if it already had materialized, and for them, because it is so real in their thoughts, it is their reality.

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Here’s the full speech from Nort. What do you think? if you have any questions/comments, feel free to write me.