Intention.
I used to hate when in a yoga class the teacher would say "if you would like to set an intention for class today..." I didn't get it. I was in a yoga class to work out. My intention was to exercise. And I really didn't like the feeling of not being "deep enough". But now I have a new perspective on intention. I think it is probably a result of continuing to practice and study yoga philosophy that now I do set an intention for my yoga practice and it's not just to "get a yoga butt" :)
Yoga is my preferred method of "loving movement" or exercise but it may not be for you, and that's obviously fine. I'm not trying to convince you all that yoga is the best way to get your bodies moving. We are all different and enjoy different things. I always say, find what YOU like to do so you will stick with it. It is easy for me to want to work out because I thoroughly enjoy the practice I have on my yoga mat. Yoga is what I have found to be the best for me.
But whether you have a yoga practice or not is besides the point of this post. I wanted to share with you a new practice I have started about two weeks ago. One day I woke up before Isla, sat up bed and did a short meditation. Just sat and listened to my breath. And as I was doing that the thought occurred to me to set an intention for the day. For me, for this particular day, the intention that I set was to slow down and be patient. And throughout the day before I spoke or did anything, I was reminded of that intention. It made my day so....nice. I was so excited how taking that simple moment before getting out of bed to make a promise to myself and others about the way I wanted to show up in the world really allowed me to be in a way that was useful. So I tried it the next day too.
And I was humbled.
I didn't set as clear of an intention. Really I was just mostly kind of hoping to recreate what had happened for me the day before. But it didn't work. Because the intention was unclear I found it difficult to remain as in balance as I did the day before. So I re-learned the lesson of letting go of expectations, and staying in the moment. The flimsy intention of trying to feel the way I did yesterday wasn't right for today. So now everyday I do try to really listen in. To let myself be open to what I feel for this day.
And sometimes the intentions are the same.
And some are different.
Some days it's easy to step into the space of being wholly present with my words and actions so I may align with the best possible version of myself, and some days it's really challenging.
I have learned to try my best, to see those challenges as teachers. To know that whatever is being presented to me at this moment is something I need to learn. An opportunity to test my practice.
So I know that it may seem hard to sit in silence for a few minutes in the morning when most of us wake up to the alarm, to get ready for work or a child crying to be fed, or any number of responsibilities to get to right away when waking up. And I do too, and it can be hard on some days. When I don't get to have those moments in bed when I wake up early I take them once breakfast is ready and Isla is eating or whenever I can find time. I try to do it in the morning but there is no reason why you can't get started half way through the day. Maybe on your lunch break at work, or during nap time. Anytime is an opportunity to set an intention for the way you want the rest of the day to be. And if not today, there's always tomorrow. :)
Why not try to set a morning intention for your day today?
Let me know how it goes!
Peace, Love, Light.
