A Practice for Setting An Intention

Find the time to focus on what you really would like to have more—or less—of in your life. Only you really know what will bring a sense of joy, hope, and fulfillment into your heart. Perhaps you would like to feel more hopeful. Perhaps you would like to serve others more often. Perhaps you would like more education, a better relationship with your mate or children, to help the world in some way, or to be more openhearted. Make a list of your heart-held desires and ponder what intention you could set to begin bringing them to fruition. It often helps to set an umbrella intention, and then to break any action into small steps—sometimes itsy, teensy steps. For instance, if your intention is to get more education, clarify what type of education you would like, and today make one phone call, read one catalog, or do one short internet search that gives you a little more information. Setting intentions is like laser surgery for the soul. When we:

• Decide what we want,

• Focus attention on it,

• Act in accordance with our intention,

• And cultivate an attitude that supports the intention, the universe often responds by saying, “Okay!”

Excerpted from How to Stay Upbeat in a Beat Down World by Sue Patton Thoele. Available on Amazon.