The power of intention is that it helps us to remain focused on what matters most. Yesterday there was something I needed to get done that I really didn’t want to do. I paused for a moment to become aware of my thoughts. “I’m tired,” I heard. “And it’s raining.” It’s raining? I smiled at myself with compassion.
When I stopped to mindfully investigate what was happening, I realized that I wasn’t going to feel like doing this task any more when it wasn’t raining or when I wasn’t tired. So I shifted my attention away from these resistant thoughts and back to my intentions. I recalled the qualities of a spiritual warrior—awareness, courage, discipline, and commitment. I recalled the people who have been spiritual warriors in my life—Marion Woodman, whose writing inspired me at a young age to live consciously and with embodied presence, Phyllis Parrish, my high school French teacher who always told me that I could do anything I wanted to do if I just put my mind to it, and the many people with whom I’ve worked who have lived their dreams following catastrophic injury or illness. I focused on how this task related directly to what I want, and I made a commitment to follow through. With unwavering discipline, I pushed myself to do the task. In that moment, the ambivalence, resistance, and sluggishness disappeared.
As we consider the power of intention for the New Year, there will be many moments that we won’t feel like doing whatever we need to do in order to get us closer to what we want. In these moments, it’s easy to listen to the inner voice of resistance that says, “I don’t want to,” or “I can’t.” The more we give in to this resistance, the more difficult it becomes to see our intention through. We then become at risk for using our perceived failures to be unkind to ourselves.
The next time that you find yourself face to face with ambivalence or resistance, try getting in touch with the energy of a spiritual warrior. When your mind is telling you that it doesn’t want or that you can’t, hold a vision of your intentions and how this action relates to them, and try embodying the qualities of awareness, courage, discipline, and commitment. Be aware that your mind is trying to trick you into not taking action. Get in touch with your inner courage. Make a commitment to do what you need to do anyway, and demonstrate the discipline to take action. Notice the sensations that arise in your body. Notice any thoughts or emotions that arise. Try exploring this practice in your mindful journaling practice. And then notice the outcome.
Jen Johnson is a mindfulness therapist and coach teaching meditation for healing and creativity. Learn more about working with Jen.