If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are headed

Over the holiday season I reflected on your emails and words to me. I focussed on the following requests for help: “I love the tools and words of wisdom, but how do I hold consistency in practicing them? How do I even remember to use them? In my busy life, I keep forgetting and just fall into old habits. Sometimes I’m just too busy or too tired or too discouraged to even try. I mean well, but it’s tough trying on your own. I wonder if change is really possible. I wish you (Bev) lived with me. Marry me!”

While I am complimented, I’m already married and have a family… but, maybe through my monthly writing, I can be of more support and inspiration as you live your lives and focus on being your at your optimum.

When I was younger, I would make New Year’s resolutions. I would commit with complete sincerity. I’d be good for about a week to 2 months and then life would happen. Old habits would slip in. I’d feel disappointed in myself and promise to try harder next year. Sound familiar to anyone?

Today, I do it very differently. Today, I follow this road map: Intention and Attention. What is my Intention for 2012? By this I mean, what would I like to feel? I choose a theme or a way of being — peace, vitality, fun, mindful, generous, connected, empowered, kind. I choose a theme in a word that is important for me in my growth at this time. As the year unfolds, my focus is on feeling what I would like to experience. This is different from having a behavioural goal. If I have a behavioural goal, I am into will and the mind. As I invite myself to feel what’s important to me, I’m in my heart. Now, I’m cooking!

To breath life into my Intention, I bring Attention to the moment. Remember, “what you focus on expands” – one of my favourite expressions. It is very powerful because it works. This year, for me personally, I choose to focus on peace. As I build my muscle of focussing on what is important to me right now, my attention is on inner peace. I invite myself to see it and feel it and bring it to each moment. If I forget, I gently self-correct. If I self-correct from judgement, I get lost in another story. So I self-correct in a loving way.

Intention and Attention. Choose a word theme for this year that holds an important place in your heart. Set your Intention. Then bring Attention to is as life unfolds. Remember… what you focus on expands.

Intention: What would you like to experience this year? What’s important to you at this time?

Attention: Notice where your focus is. Build the muscle of noticing and give attention to your intention.