The Power of Intention
If you're like me, when I was on to something new, reading the book was about as close as I used to get to actually doing it. I'd read it, think about it, and then not actually do anything. Sometimes just having the book on my bedside table was enough - without even turning a page.
But if I did go and read the book, I could talk and have an opinion about whatever it was – but as for actually doing it – not really. Too busy or something about business or think of the children or family stuff – you get the picture.
That was the old me for sure – always reading and researching but as for actually putting my swim goggles on and diving in the water – well – maybe tomorrow. I'd read the book, listen to the soundtrack and even subscribe to the podcast – but as for actually taking that first step outside – well – nope. I was all theory and no practice.
That's the first thing I learned about when I started this sober / alcoholic journey. It's all very well to be up on the theory and strategy, but when it comes to game day, and you crumble – it all really starts to become a bit meaningless. I would even rip the books to pieces and throw them out – in anger at that the silent words on the page were almost taunting me with another failure.
There is a big gap between reading and implementing – and for me this was a wonderful lesson I learned and am still re-experiencing each day – that all the intellectual understanding doesn't really count for much if, when it comes to the moment of action, you stumble and delay and make excuses and simply don't turn up.
It was something that dogged me throughout my life, a mixture of anxiety and doubt and lack of confidence that only grows if it is not being overcome. That doubt and fear doesn't stay the same – it's not static - over time it only grows if your daily choices let it. Public speaking anyone?
It is a big thing for me to appreciate that just turning up is half the battle won. Going for an audition or an interview – they have to pick one of the candidates – right? And if you are a no show there's 100% chance you won't get picked – but if you go, and do your thing, there's a chance you might get picked, or take the job. It's that simple.
I remember smoking pot in my teens and completely losing my confidence and ability to just front up and be myself. How my self analysis and self-consciousness just grew to such a point I was literally sitting in my little one bed flat for like days in a row, eating noodles, watching TV, and cultivating a deep sense of paranoia - verging on agoraphobia.
Then, the day of my student payment - blinking in the sunlight like I'd emerged from a mine shaft – keeping my head down and shuffling around in the quiet parts of the day – and buying my packets of instant noodles, cigarettes, wine and some coffee before going back into my lair. It was dark and gloomy and not a good place at all.
Now, years later and still working on bolstering my self confidence to find that delicate balance between self-belief without tipping over into arrogance – I look back and thank myself that I persisted through that dark time. It's all about being patient through the bad times and being passionate and persistent when the good times roll around.
*
Today, as an alcoholic working each day to remain sober for the long term, I am completely open to all strategies, suggestions and skills to help me stay on task. And, through my reading I discover tools everyday to help with this. What I have learned overall is that there is no one true path or single "way of sober” – but there are common threads and themes and they can be applied to sobriety and alcoholics. Like Intention.
I am making use of intention as Dr Wayne Dyer, and his The Essential Wayne Dyer Collection offers it. Dyer suggests that intention is something we should re-align ourselves with and activate – it is like an unwritten law or pattern that all life follows – and if you are aware of and using your intention, you are are engaging a powerful tool to help you achieve your goals and live a better life. Or staying sober.
As a part of my morning routine, I write in a journal and one of the last lines I write each morning is about setting the intention for the upcoming day. Normally, I don't put much more thought into this specific intention than maybe the twenty seconds of so as I am writing it by hand. I have a list next to my work space with key words and intentions that I can look up to and quickly choose for each day.
Setting an intention still works as a powerful flavor or tone of the day – and I can reflect in moments of craziness that my intention was something much calmer and positive than I the actual feeling or emotion I might be feeling at that instant.
Setting an intention works as an anchor point for my spiritual life for the day – and since the intention changes each day, it can be influenced by what I am feeling or decide to focus on. Over time, my intention has shown to repeat a certain theme or topic and this in itself gives me insight into myself and where I need to grow.
Always, as an alcoholic, there is the underlying intention to not drink and to stay sober – this is a given – but some days, it needs to be re-said explicitly and spelled out – and I do this. But most days, I choose an intention as suggested by Wayne Dyer.
“Recite the seven words that represent the seven faces of intention: Creative, Kind, Loving, Beautiful, Expanding, Abundant, and Receptive.” page 37.
I have even gone so far as memorizing these words as I touch the fingers on my hand, so I can quickly recall the intentions as I am going for a run or during a yoga class. It is a good way to re-align my focus when I drift into negativity or self-criticism. It has almost become like a mantra that I use to bring me back to the present moment during my day.
Setting an intention is taking responsibility for where my mind will go, and makes me very accountable for the rest of the day. I particularly like the idea of intention as it works like a focus mini-goal for the short term and really gives me something substantial to focus on.
I can focus on the word as I run, and repeat it every breath, or every step, and just by saying “beauty” over and again and thinking of the types of beauty, and how I have seen beauty in my day – it brings me away to a well, “beautiful” place for my mind to be.
Not distracted or ruminating on the days “to do list”, or old hurts or past failings. But meditating on the mantra of the intention word itself. It is very powerful for me. I hope it works for you too.
If you're like me, when I was on to something new, reading the book was about as close as I used to get to actually doing it. I'd read it, think about it, and then not actually do anything. Sometimes just having the book on my bedside table was enough - without even turning a page.
But if I did go and read the book, I could talk and have an opinion about whatever it was – but as for actually doing it – not really. Too busy or something about business or think of the children or family stuff – you get the picture.
That was the old me for sure – always reading and researching but as for actually putting my swim goggles on and diving in the water – well – maybe tomorrow. I'd read the book, listen to the soundtrack and even subscribe to the podcast – but as for actually taking that first step outside – well – nope. I was all theory and no practice.
That's the first thing I learned about when I started this sober / alcoholic journey. It's all very well to be up on the theory and strategy, but when it comes to game day, and you crumble – it all really starts to become a bit meaningless. I would even rip the books to pieces and throw them out – in anger at that the silent words on the page were almost taunting me with another failure.
There is a big gap between reading and implementing – and for me this was a wonderful lesson I learned and am still re-experiencing each day – that all the intellectual understanding doesn't really count for much if, when it comes to the moment of action, you stumble and delay and make excuses and simply don't turn up.
It was something that dogged me throughout my life, a mixture of anxiety and doubt and lack of confidence that only grows if it is not being overcome. That doubt and fear doesn't stay the same – it's not static - over time it only grows if your daily choices let it. Public speaking anyone?
It is a big thing for me to appreciate that just turning up is half the battle won. Going for an audition or an interview – they have to pick one of the candidates – right? And if you are a no show there's 100% chance you won't get picked – but if you go, and do your thing, there's a chance you might get picked, or take the job. It's that simple.
I remember smoking pot in my teens and completely losing my confidence and ability to just front up and be myself. How my self analysis and self-consciousness just grew to such a point I was literally sitting in my little one bed flat for like days in a row, eating noodles, watching TV, and cultivating a deep sense of paranoia - verging on agoraphobia.
Then, the day of my student payment - blinking in the sunlight like I'd emerged from a mine shaft – keeping my head down and shuffling around in the quiet parts of the day – and buying my packets of instant noodles, cigarettes, wine and some coffee before going back into my lair. It was dark and gloomy and not a good place at all.
Now, years later and still working on bolstering my self confidence to find that delicate balance between self-belief without tipping over into arrogance – I look back and thank myself that I persisted through that dark time. It's all about being patient through the bad times and being passionate and persistent when the good times roll around.
*
Today, as an alcoholic working each day to remain sober for the long term, I am completely open to all strategies, suggestions and skills to help me stay on task. And, through my reading I discover tools everyday to help with this. What I have learned overall is that there is no one true path or single "way of sober” – but there are common threads and themes and they can be applied to sobriety and alcoholics. Like Intention.
Intention – purpose or attitude toward
the effect of one's actions
the effect of one's actions
 |
| Over 800 pages, incl. three titles |
I am making use of intention as Dr Wayne Dyer, and his The Essential Wayne Dyer Collection offers it. Dyer suggests that intention is something we should re-align ourselves with and activate – it is like an unwritten law or pattern that all life follows – and if you are aware of and using your intention, you are are engaging a powerful tool to help you achieve your goals and live a better life. Or staying sober.
As a part of my morning routine, I write in a journal and one of the last lines I write each morning is about setting the intention for the upcoming day. Normally, I don't put much more thought into this specific intention than maybe the twenty seconds of so as I am writing it by hand. I have a list next to my work space with key words and intentions that I can look up to and quickly choose for each day.
Setting an intention still works as a powerful flavor or tone of the day – and I can reflect in moments of craziness that my intention was something much calmer and positive than I the actual feeling or emotion I might be feeling at that instant.
Setting an intention works as an anchor point for my spiritual life for the day – and since the intention changes each day, it can be influenced by what I am feeling or decide to focus on. Over time, my intention has shown to repeat a certain theme or topic and this in itself gives me insight into myself and where I need to grow.
Always, as an alcoholic, there is the underlying intention to not drink and to stay sober – this is a given – but some days, it needs to be re-said explicitly and spelled out – and I do this. But most days, I choose an intention as suggested by Wayne Dyer.
“Recite the seven words that represent the seven faces of intention: Creative, Kind, Loving, Beautiful, Expanding, Abundant, and Receptive.” page 37.
I have even gone so far as memorizing these words as I touch the fingers on my hand, so I can quickly recall the intentions as I am going for a run or during a yoga class. It is a good way to re-align my focus when I drift into negativity or self-criticism. It has almost become like a mantra that I use to bring me back to the present moment during my day.
Setting an intention is taking responsibility for where my mind will go, and makes me very accountable for the rest of the day. I particularly like the idea of intention as it works like a focus mini-goal for the short term and really gives me something substantial to focus on.
I can focus on the word as I run, and repeat it every breath, or every step, and just by saying “beauty” over and again and thinking of the types of beauty, and how I have seen beauty in my day – it brings me away to a well, “beautiful” place for my mind to be.
Not distracted or ruminating on the days “to do list”, or old hurts or past failings. But meditating on the mantra of the intention word itself. It is very powerful for me. I hope it works for you too.
Living intentionally, purposefully, one day at a time. Yes.
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