Intention As A Driving Force In Our Lives

In our first blog, we shared the first tenant of Live Life Lux (LLL) – cultivating gratitude for what is while working toward our goals. The second tenant of LLL is allowing intention and purpose to be a driving force in life, fueled by our values and passions.
Keep asking yourself what you need rather than trying to convince
yourself that you don’t need.
One of my favorite quotes is Mary Oliver’s timeless question “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” It can be easy to lose sight of intention as overwhelm devolves our purpose to mere survival. Our mantra becomes “Just get by. Just get through.” How do we shift from survival mode to living in our intentions and purpose?

In times of overwhelm, it can be important to simplify. Cut out all the fillers; the things we’re doing to feel better about our current state of affairs, but aren’t actually serving us. It’s time to get down to the brass tax of what feeds and nourishes your being. Fillers include crowding the margins of our calendar to overflow with appointments and activities that aren’t ultimately leading to your greater desired purpose. We all have our own versions of fillers. Getting clear on what they are is the first step to choosing healing over a band-aid.
If you keep creating space for quiet and solitude, even if only for a moment, you will find the inspiration you’re looking for.
Here are two places to start in reclaiming your purpose and letting go of what isn’t ultimately serving you. First, as always, start with a meditation to clarify and reconnect with intention. Insight Timer has a number of recordings on intention. Don’t get lost in how good or bad you are at meditating. Put the headphones on. Close your eyes and listen.

Next, let yourself have what you need. Whether a day off, a special experience like a boudoir photo session to celebrate your strength or a branding photo session to affirm your goals, or simply a walk outside or a shower. No matter how simple, let yourself know you’re listening to the calling within. Allow your heart’s desire no matter how frivolous it feels. This will help you reset, which will make you a better human.

Once you’ve cleared the proverbial cobwebs to uncover your sense of purpose, you’ve cleared the space for intuition to guide. Keep asking yourself what you need rather than trying to convince yourself that you don’t need. Ask your higher self for guidance on your intention and purpose. If you keep creating space for quiet and solitude, even if only for a moment, you will get the inspiration you’re looking for. Write it down once it comes. No matter if it’s a note in your phone or a journal entry, simply give it life by speaking it into existence. Soon, your intention and purpose will grow legs and be on the run. Manifesting takes consistency. It’s not a one and done sort of thing. It’s always a practice. So, continue to create and honor opportunities to show up for yourself in these ways.
Manifesting takes consistency
Mary Oliver’s quote is a popular one. Honestly, it can feel a bit daunting, right? “This one precious life…” Whoa. Okay. Cool your jets, Mary. What people often miss are the stanzas that precede this question.
“I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
–Excerpt from “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver

I think we can all relate to this. Ultimately, it’s in her questioning and uncertainty, her opening to simplifying – creating space and time to breathe. This is where she experiences her greatest connection to life. It starts with one small step – a walk outside, kneeling in the grass. It’s in the stillness where the well spring of intention starts to flow.

For a practical guide to setting and executing intentions, check out this piece by Minimalism Made Simple. If intentions are a daily part of your life, tell us about them. Leave a comment in the reply box below this blog. We also welcome questions and comments.
Live Life Lux,
Kristen