I had on my board the following intentions (all in short sentences or pictures cut from magazines):
THE GOOD LIFE - which included in small print: our countryside, made in america, eco smart, natural beauty, the best way - which is self explanatory - my intention was all of these things. (So far I have not bought a car, hoping to buy an American brand, but just haven't found one that I really like, we are recycling as much as possible and buying eco-friendly products - including cleaning supplies. Natural beauty comes from within - and I am always working on that.)
SIMPLE, WITH SOUL - My intention was to live simply and with great mindfulness. (So far we have been doing this. We're happier and healthier.)
BUDDAH, at Volcano Garden Arts - My belief system is mostly Buddhist, and this was a reminder to live my life with great love and compassion for all living things. (I have read several books by Pema Chodron and refer to her whenever I begin to feel negative for any length of time. She is a great guide during these difficult times.)
FEELING GOOD - My intention was to feel good by living my best life possible. (This continues to be a work in progress, but I am more clear on what is not working in my life.)
EATING BETTER CAN BE YUMMY - My intention was to incorporate more grains and vegetables in our diet without feeling deprived. I also intended to remove simple sugars as much as possible, and to eat less meat. (This also continues to be a work in progress, some weeks are better than others, but we are certainly eating more vegetables. Making all of our own bread from organic 100% whole wheat flour, and eating far less meat.)
BETTER SLEEP, BETTER HEALTH - Good sleep has been a big issue for me for some time. My intention was to figure out holistic ways of sleeping better. (Sorry to report this is still an issue - any attempt at better sleep has not been fruitful. Any suggestions?)
BUY ONLY WHAT YOU LOVE - My intention was to become very mindful of things I thought I wanted, and things that I wanted because I really loved and/or need the item. (I am definitely there. I only buy things that resonate in a good way.)
THE WEST, AT IT'S BEST - My intention was for my husband to attract a job in the West, where our family and friends reside. (Currently two possibilities in the West, one in the Midwest, and one on the East Coast. In the meantime we are enjoying living at beautiful Lake Tahoe. No complaints on this one.)
THE HAPPINESS BUG - My intention was to spread happiness, in any way possible. (I'm working on it...)
THINK OF IT AS ENHANCING YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE - My intention was to focus on those things that are life-enhancing and not negative or draining. (I do not watch any news programs, preferring to read what little news I can handle online. It only upsets me and makes me mad, which does not help in enhancing my quality of life.)
"THERE IS WISDOM IN ADAPTATION. LOOK AT THE SAGUARO, WHICH LIVES FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS IN THE HARSHEST OF ENVIRONMENTS - Dr. Andrew Weil - My intention is to become adaptable to whatever circumstances may arise in my life. (We have adapted quite well to a completely different way of life. It's all in how you frame things sometimes.)
A PICTURE OF A BIG CACTUS GARDEN - My intention was to make one of these gardens someday. (Hasn't happened yet.)
ADDED SINCE THAT POST:
"THRU EDUCATION, PUBLISHING, AND WRITING ABOUT PHILOSOPHIES, BELIEFS, ETC., YOU WILL EXPERIENCE YOUR MOST PROFOUND TRANSFORMATION. - My intention is to become a more enlightened person, a better person. I feel writing is my way of moving forward in this endeavor. (I think blogging has made me realize my way of moving forward involves writing. Now I'm trying to decide if it is time to move on from blogging and put all my creative efforts into the book I have always wanted to write. I'm not sure I can do both at the same time.)
AN "ABUNDANCE CHECK" MADE OUT TO MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF - My intention was taking the advice of a blogging friend, Leah, who reminds us each month to write a check to ourselves on the new moon for abundance. (All I can say is this works!)
My husband never used his side of the board and now I am moving into that space...
How about you? Did you do an Intention Board? If so, how is it going?
36 comments:
Are you familiar with Osho? At osho.com he has meditations that are active and help you sleep.
I am so with you about news. Even our dear President is depressing me. I will look into Pema Chodron, thank you.
Thank you for your gorgeous sharing ....I feel inspired to do one myself for the New Year.
thats very inspiring :) i think i have to start something like this pretty soon
Thanks for the shout-out. (It's new moon today!)
I don't have a formal intention board, but I write things to the Universe with "I intend..."
BTW, I used your method of pictures for calling something to me and it worked. Thanks.
I love this idea. I think I will adopt this practice for the New Year. I truly believe we can call to us what we need. Thanks!
Great idea, but no, I didn't/don't do an intention board. However, I greatly admire you and anyone else for doing something like this, no matter where it's posted! Very inspiring!!
I'm more an itinerary person, which in a vague sort of way is similar. A suggestion for better sleep? A 2 mile walk works wonders. I walk as often as I can, and when I miss a few days, I notice it in my sleep. And bravo for thinking about taking your writing to the next level. You can do it :)
I do two things to enhance my sleep: I take a 3mg tablet of melatonin in the evening, and I apply lavender oil on my wrists and under my nose just before I climb into bed. I'm quite sure now that I've done what I intended and trained myself to get sleepy whenever I smell it.
And I am also not watching the news except for the PBS News Hour because I learn so much. With my new iPod I can also download All Things Considered and listen selectively to what I want. Writing is very helpful to me, in figuring out what I am carrying around underneath my conscious mind. I also pay attention to my dreams.
hey lady!!! just taking a quick break over here in between paint and drafts and running errands - couldn't resist dropping by your sunny place and saying hello - love love love this post - i have the same thing [board] but in notebook form - anyway, gotta run - miss being here!!! have a beautiful day!
Sounds like you've made good progress with your intentions. I don't have anything like that, mostly they just float around in my head.
nice, looks like you are making good progress on your intentions...which is great because it is less our intentions than the actions that follow that determine where we end up. may do this exercise as we move into the new year...i used to keep mine on a card in my pocket and got away from it...thanks for the reminder...
living simply with mindfulness - hmmm ... I'm adopting that one if you don't mind :)
Your intensions are so beautiful!! May they all come into manifestation!
Though I have general goals that act as beacons for me, whenever I set intentions that are as specific as yours, I tend to get all bound up in them. As a high "J" on the Meyers'Briggs scale, I get rule-bound so easily - and when I'm rule bound, I can't see all the options available.
More info than you needed, huh?
Frankly it would be great FOR ME if you ended up on the East Coast, not to argue with your wishes and desires!!
I am pondering my new year's post as we speak... hmmmmm
You're doing well! They tell me a spoonful of honey in milk at bedtime helps sleep and of course the herbal pillow, affirmations or you could try Tibetan Healing Chanting.Some swear by counting your blessings but I'll bet you do that already.
So agree with you about news.
Happy Christmas!
Congratulations, Nancy!!! You are really keeping to your goals!!! And they are beautiful just like you!!! ~Janine XO
Hi Nancy,
I know what you mean about not watching the news. I don't think that we were maeant to know about so much misery on such a global scale each and every day.
Regarding sleep: make sure you are not eating anything at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. Go to bed on an empty stomach! This helps a lot! Kathryn
My husband listens to meditations nightly and falls right into a deep sleep, (and commences to snoring like a bandsaw.) I tried to listen too, didn't work for me. I have no tips. Sleep remains elusive.
I like this intention board idea. After the holidays, when things slow down, that's going to be my New Year project. I am going to write myself a fat check right now! Thanks for the tips.
Nancy you are so inspiring, do i say that too much? :)
I do have an Intention Book, but I like your board very much.
For sleep, i agree, exercise, either walking running or sex, works great.
I also find that writing down the things on my mind, ie, lists or notes, helps me to relax (stop thinking I may forget something)I do it most every night.
Here's something I love:
The key is adapting. Charles Darwin said it's not the smartest or the strongest of a species that survives, it's the ones that are willing to adapt.
Better add "learn to knit" on your board! :)
Fantastic post! Your intention board looks a lot like the storyboard I use for my novels.
Looks like you're making good progress with your intention board! It's a great idea to set goals and place them where you can see them often. One thing that I know of that helps to reduce insomia is the Gyan Hand Mudra or Mudra of Knowledge. Just Google it in and it should come up.
Wow! Great list.
Very impressive indeed. I can truly understand the health benefits from your intentions. Having them identified and 'in your face' so to speak, helps to keep you grounded and true to yourself. This definitely has given me something to think about. Life must have a purpose to it other than the day to day stuff. Great post Nancy.
Thanks everyone! I am going to try every one of the ideas for sleeping! There are definitely some that I have never heard of and are worth check out. I really appreciate you passing them along.
I like your Intention Board, and I particularly like the happiness bug. We should all have one like that! I may start an intention board myself, thanks for the idea!
(BTW I don't watch the news either, and for the same reason.)
I have an intentions list, on the computer, not a board. I think a board would be very visual. :) It's a lovely idea. I should make an intentions WALL. I want to cover my hideous kitchen cabinets anyway...
As for sleeping, I drink a tea for sleep and it helps. 2-3 cups 3 hours before bed, one cup 30 minutes before bed.
I sleep like a baby.
The best way to combat insomnia is generally exercise, which I know is just one of those "Jeez, thanks a lot for that recommendation...the very same thing recommended to cure just about everything." but specifically a lot of women find that light weight training in the late afternoon, no more than every other day, helps increase sleep. As does cardio in the midafternoon (which part of the reason it doesn't work for many ...the best time to do that is about three to four in the afternoon when most people are at work)...it causes a rise in endorphins with a subsequent dip and a signal to your body that "Now I've increased my energy consumption...and continue to burn...now I'm sleepy." which takes about six to seven hours to play out fully.
Whee. Well, it's not exactly bunny-from-a-hat type of magic, is it? Sorry, the things that work best are usually routines.
I've never gone for intention boards. I think the key to that is simply the decision making process, not the manifestation with the image. However, they are really, really helpful for a lot of people. Manifestations of intentions, leading to manifestations in reality.
They really are cool things. You know the old "People don't change."? Sure they do, as soon as they decide, truly decide to, and follow through. I think intention boards help with the follow through.
Fun post, Nancy. I really enjoyed reading about your goals.
I don't have an intention board..but am mindful of my quaity of living....daily...smiles help...
Nancy,
I think you have been most successful. If anyone has tips on the sleeping, please let me know. As for your discovery of you path in writing - yahoo! Perhaps you can utilize the blog as sections for your book. Trying out the posts to see what kind of response is generated.
Pema Chodron - I keep her books close by also.
I think I need to adopt this idea for my life. Seems to bring life together much better than my haphazard attempts of present.
Off topic, I am getting tired of seeing the words New M*on underlined in yellow!!! haha
Hi Nancy, just catching up. I/we love your intention board, we have one on our computer. Sleep is sometimes elusive for women of a certain age......I find being well hydrated and exercise (even if that is walking up and down to the laundry, is good for sleep.
In terms of Lori's suggestion, that probably is a more fun way to exercise though.
Please don't give up your blog, we would all miss you terribly.xx♥
You have many wonderful intentions....I don't have an intention board. I have many intentions in my HEAD. Luckily I can't remember very well! LOL!
Ho Ho Ho!! Merry Christmas!! From me and my buddy Otin
That's really encouraging to read Nancy. Very positive and I'm so glad that you are moving forward with your intentions! My intentions are coming to fruition with every step I take!
I also have trouble sleeping. I've found a few solutions. I drink a passionflower/fennel herb tea before bed, it's like valium for me. Actually it's made by Tetley and is called "Tranquil". I get it at the supermarket.
Also, have you tried some aromatherapy? I sewed a little eye pillow together, just an old facecloth, filled it with flax seeds and I microwave it for 30 seconds or so. I put a drop of essential oil on the corner and put it over my eyes. The combination of heat, pressure and the scent works wonders for me. The essential oil mix I have is called Sleepyhead. A lot of people use lavender too. I think if you are open to it working, it does the trick! :)
I don't have an intention board but I should create one. I always begin the year with the best intentions, written down and I stick with them for a while. Typical ones: losing weight, being kinder, controlling my temper, doing for others, more exercise. Ah well. I guess as long as I keep trying I'm not a lost cause.
Post a Comment