You’re about to read Chapter 23. Want to start this story from the beginning? Go here.
Make no mistake, intention is POWERFUL.
I knew this even before Lesson 23, but wow, am I feeling it strongly now.
Because I strongly suspect intention is why I have a date tonight.
(1) “We must believe in the possibility of a particular intention before it can come to us”
In this lesson, Katherine outlines the four steps to setting an intention. The first is, naturally, that we believe the intention is possible.
For example, as I observed in Lesson 13, you can’t meet a good guy if good guys don’t exist.
So, while it may seem obvious, having faith that what you desire can happen is certainly a prerequisite to satisfaction.
(2) Words = power
Whoever composed that rhyme about sticks and stones was clearly unfamiliar with verbal abuse.
I reference verbal abuse because it’s an obvious example of the power words have to hurt, but of course they can also heal.
Words are, in fact, a creative tool that we can harness to great effect (and also to careless effect, if we’re not careful).
So step two of intention setting is to speak aloud what you intend.
I especially appreciate this step because in relationships, I have historically struggled to speak my needs, much less my dreams.
That has changed, but only because raising your voice is like a muscle, and I have been working out.
And I can definitely vouch for both the efficacy and the importance of naming, out loud, all the things.
(3) Action is required
After believing and voicing our intentions, we must “ground our insights and understandings into the concrete world by taking actions that support what it is that we are committed to.”
Again, this may seem obvious, but intention without action is basically just wishful thinking.
Of course, sometimes action can also mean inaction. Because in addition to supporting our intention, we also need to avoid behaviors that would sabotage it.
(4) Release is also required
Step four of the intention process is so important that Katherine put it in italics:
“We must remain completely unattached to the outcomes that we are committed to creating.”
Then, to clarify her statement, she used italics again:
“In other words, we must do our best to live 100 percent committed to whatever intentions we set, without being attached to the results we are getting.”
I get it.
I’ve been learning to place process over outcome since at least 2013.
And while I can still get tripped up—cough, fixating on Paul, cough—for the most part I am all about letting go.
After all, letting go is the logical consequence of having faith. And I sure do have a ton of that.
(And even if I didn’t, last week’s lessons make clear the benefits of releasing.)
Lesson 23 in practice
My intention is to be fully grounded in my own freedom.
I don’t know if that language will makes sense to you, but it came through via meditation, so I know it is perfect for me.
Lesson 23’s homework asks us to complete some journaling prompts. But in order to get through the first one, I had to sit still and get clear.
“My intention is:”
Can you believe I didn’t know? I mean, obviously, I intend to marry my beloved.
But that intention doesn’t feel like fire inside me. I know that it will manifest, but I don’t feel burning desire. No urgency. I trust that it is coming in good time.
In the specific context of this course, I felt the need to make my intention about me.
And since I didn’t feel a strong pull toward any assertion, I was prepared to adopt one of the examples Katherine gives: “My intention is to release anything that blocks the fulfillment of love in my life.”
Can’t go wrong with that, right?
But first I decided to sit for my standard twenty minutes before bed.
Before long, the vision from Lesson 22 filled my head.
Oh my gosh, that vision. That vision really is sweet. It feels fulfilling, complete. I want that vision to be my reality.
So what intention can help it come true?
My intention is to be fully grounded in my own freedom.
Fully grounded in my own freedom. Holding my own. Owning my every decision, claiming my dreams and goals and actions.
Making choices, not sacrifices. Honoring privileges, not obligations.
Yes, indeed, grounded freedom is what I need.
Intention in action
After the journaling, Katherine goes on to recommend that we share our intention with at least one close friend or confidant.
Do you count?
I hope so, but in any case, I went a step further and took an action that is consistent with my intention.
I agreed to go on a date.
It would not be accurate to say I am excited about this date, or even that I particularly want to go.
But I am going. Because I am free to do so, and the opportunity “coincidentally” arose today, and I am open to possibility.
(And even so, part of me is like—true story—What if Paul has somehow magically found out about this blog and sees this post and calls me up and begs me not to go? Of course that isn’t happening. I know. But that thought still went through my mind, and I am telling on myself accordingly.)
On this date, I intend to be fully grounded in my own freedom.
I will prioritize my needs, and I will leave when I want to, and I will not alter my opinions, attitudes, or preferences to accommodate his.
Of course on a first date all of the above is fairly easy; the stakes are low.
I don’t care what this person thinks about me, because I have no idea if I care about him.
Still, if holding my own is a muscle, I know I can use the workout.
Love > fear,
Christina
Want to know what happens next? Proceed to Chapter 24.
Missed what happened before? Go back to Chapter 22, or start from the beginning.
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