Setting Intentions for a New Year ?????

After a long, and technologically imposed hiatus, I am back to blogging again.  As is my habit, I usually check in with my friends' blogs and make comments before I add anything new to mine.  Today, I came across Dawn's blog, "time mangaement / exercise / new year /lovelife."  I had a mixed reaction to it.  I was so completely impressed by the enthusiasm and vitality of her resolutions / intentions (I usually am by anything she writes).  But, at the same time, I also felt like a curmudgeonly, battle-weary old fart too.  I caught myself reading her wonderful goals, and I thought about the last time I set intentions . . . . back eight years ago.  As I wrote in my comments on her blog, those intentions set in motion a year (or more) of transition and turbulence, which was very beneficial, but hugely challenging and overwhelming too.  Here is a journal entry from that time, and the intentions I wrote:

"Sunday, January 21^st, 2001

On New Year's Eve, just before midnight, I sat down and wrote out my intentions for the year 2001.  I don't believe in New Year's resolutions, and the year 2000 was truly a horrible year for me, so I thought, "Why not put out my intentions into the universe and see what happens."  I scrawled them on the notepad  I use to put thoughts in when I'm on the run, and not able to get near a computer, and basically left it at that, until today.  I had been thinking that I should tidy them up and put them on a formal piece of paper to hang in my treadmill room and in my bedroom, perhaps, so that I could reflect on them each day.  The idea behind intentions for me is basically like a spiritual stone cast out onto a pond.  The ripples from those intentions will permeate my live.

I was surprised when I reread the statements I wrote.  I realized that they might already be having an impact on how things are going in my life thus far this year.  I think it was no accident now that things happened when and how they did during therapy these last two weeks, even though I'd virtually forgotten the intentions I'd jotted down.  Here are the intentions I wrote for the year 2001:

MY INTENTIONS FOR THE YEAR 2001

The children will continue to blossom in intellect, confidence, physical health and spiritual awareness.  Andrew and I will act in ways that will nurture and support their growth in positive ways.

I will break down the internal barriers I have inside me, and work towards further self-acceptance and empowerment.

I will release my fears and doubts and live courageously.

I will be guided confidently by my intuition.

With God's help, I will find a spiritually fulfilling career that also allows me to support my family comfortably.

I will evolve naturally into the person I have always been meant to be:  physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually - as a woman, as a mother, as partner, as a friend.

 I will be at total peace with myself; acting not reacting, fearless not fearful, surrounded by joy, love, bounty and goodwill.

 I will attract positive people and energy.

 I will act in accordance with the laws of God and nature.

I will take my proper place and find my purpose in the Universe.  My efforts will be supported.

Expressed from within me will be a soul that is loving and charitable, forgiving, compassionate and wise; both with myself and with others.  God's love will flow through me as a strengthening, ever-replenishing light.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE IF I BELIEVE IN MYSELF.

 

I just finished making copies of this and I'm going to frame it.  While I was doing it, I was overcome by fear.  It is a tall order.  It's a bit like a swimmer or a cyclist who is just starting out, but they say that their ultimate goal is a gold medal.  But again, I return to how I think that these intentions have already influenced the direction that my life is taking this year.  I will continue to focus on them as we work through this process, and see if the influence continues.  It can't hurt."

That was then, this is now. . . .  I wasn't going to write any resolutions for 2009, but now I think I might reconsider.  Though most of the intentions I wrote back then still apply to my current life, they are quite wide-sweeping and general.  Since then, I have tended to be more "reactive" than "proactive" when it comes to life and setting goals.  You know, the old, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. . . . (or, "if, it ain't itchy, don't scratch it."   I tend to wait until things are really "broken" before I decide the time is right to "fix" them, and I am particularly adept at numbing most "itchy" feelings I have until my spiritual skin crawls and I have to "scratch" in a big way. 

I'll let the idea of writing some new intentions for 2009 percolate for the rest of the day, and will post whatever comes up tomorrow. . . .  the question is. "Am I up for whatever happens, if my wishes do come true?" 

Dreams are far less work to have than they are to live, aren't they?

Peace and Have a Wonderful 2009,
Otter
 

© Catherine (Otter) December 31st, 2008