The BEST of Intentions

Intention is defined as the following:

1. A thing intended, an aim, a plan. 

2. The action or fact of intending.

3. A determination to act in a certain way. 

I truly believe that for the most part, we ALL have GOOD intentions. The intention to do the right thing, the intention to be a good person, the intention to love completely, the intention to work hard and build a successful career, and so the list goes on. But today as I thought about intentions and how they affect the people around us, I realized that maybe everyone does not always have the best intentions...including myself. 

That is hard to admit and as I type it, I am drawing in a deep breath. No, this is not going to be a big confessional post. But I think it is worth realizing that sometimes, our intentions are based on working towards an end, even though it may not be the best thing for others, or much less ourselves. 

Typically, my intentions are in line and on spot. I always have the intention to create a good morning for my son. I have the intention to be productive in my work (paid and volunteer). I have the intention to do good for others at all times. But sometimes, life is just life. My intention to create that great morning is sometimes clouded by my tiredness, or irritability towards Will for running behind, or either of us not having everything together. The productivity becomes clouded as tasks pile up, emails "ding" in, calls rack up. And doing something for someone else, well sadly that just gets put on the back burner.

In our relationships, we all have the intention in the beginning to explore and grow with a person- friend, lover, whatever- and as it develops intentions change. Look at how many people end up in divorce or separated months or years later. It amazes me how the best intentions are lost in the unwillingness to work through the hard times, the arguments, or whatever is going on that is not perfect at the time. 

In Church, we have "intentions" or prayers for those who have left us, who are with us and suffering, or just those in general. But when we offer those intentions, and walk out the doors after our hour of worship, what is the value of that intention if it is not remembered and reflected upon? Or is a one-shot intention okay and acceptable?

Intention is the starting point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love. - The Chopra Center. 

I particularly appreciate Dr. Chopra's view on the emotional aspect of intentions, and the outcome. He writes this: 

Relinquish your rigid attachment to a specific result and live in the wisdom of uncertainty. Attachment is based on fear and insecurity, while detachment is based on the unquestioning belief in the power of your true Self. Intend for everything to work out as it should, then let go and allow opportunities and openings to come your way.

Your focused intentions set the infinite organizing power of the universe in motion. Trust that infinite organizing power to orchestrate the complete fulfillment of your desires. Don’t listen to the voice that says that you have to be in charge, that obsessive vigilance is the only way to get anything done. 

The outcome that you try so hard to force may not be as good for you as the one that comes naturally. You have released your intentions into the fertile ground of pure potentiality, and they will bloom when the season is right. (Deepak Chopra,M.D.,www.chopra.com, 5 Steps to Setting Powerful Intentions)

Yeah, that sounds cool to me. So my take-away? I am going to quit stressing over failed intentions and unexpected outcomes right now. Because the reality is, we never know and we cannot predict the actions/reactions of others or ourselves. 

The point? I am going to keep my intentions good, but learn/strive to go with the flow. I have to believe that positivity will outweigh the negativity and eventually, balance will be created. And that, will be my peace. And perhaps someone else's peace, too.