So much has changed since I started this Ten Weeks of Intentions journey. Most of the time it has been a stretch not struggle to get a weekly post up in what started out as an “occasional blog”.
So how do you feel after a stretch? There are times when we need to stretch, not just physically like a cat, but emotionally. When faced with making a change, there is a conscious and an unconscious response to the impending change. Conflicting thoughts and emotions result in a struggle as we overthink, filter the information and maybe even jump to negative conclusions about the outcome. An emotional stretch may involve changing habitual actions or thoughts and our inner self talk can often sabotage even the best intentions. A little bit like what we are going through at the moment. This is where you need someone to walk alongside you and cheer you on as you stretch to move out of hibernation and towards setting some goals for our “new normal”.
One way to make reaching your goals a pleasant stretch not struggle, is to use the SMART method of goal setting. Setting a goal or intention using this formula works. Make the goal or intention Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Timed.
Specific: Write down as much detail as you can about your goal. It helps if you have a genuine belief that the goal can be achieved. ? It helps to create a vision board to focus your attention on the end result and in Reiki classes we have a saying “Where attention goes, energy flows”.
Measurable: How are you going to measure that you have obtained your goal? Trackers are great as you can see your progress. Start with the end in mind and work backwards to now or when you commit to starting.
Your bank account? x amount of $ saved per week/fortnight/month
Your ideal weight? x amount of kilograms/pounds reduced by each week/fortnight/month
Actionable: What are the actions you must take to reach your goal? They can be baby steps or great big scary steps. For example – how many subscriptions do you still have that are being used? Which ones can be suspended so that you can save precious dollars while we are in uncertain times? If you find that you have been making too many trips to the fridge or pantry – what actions must you take to get to your ideal weight? Being honest about food intake/portion sizes or daily activities will help to get you to goal weight.
Realistic: Is your current spending rate going to allow you to save for something special or do you need to economize on certain expenses? If you love a garment that is 3 sizes smaller than you currently are, will you realistically fit into it once social distancing rules have been lifted?
Timed: Mark the date that you want to achieve your goal on the calendar, regardless of social distancing rules. If the goal is a big one, then it is a great idea to break it down into smaller time frames. Likewise with reducing weight. Adjusting your timeframe to acknowledge that you may have a couple of occasions where there is the likelihood of not reaching your weekly or monthly target, will mean that you are less likely to have a negative self talk session with yourself. Make it a stretch not struggle.
My intention for this week is to reflect on the journey thus far and to use the energy of The Fool from the Rider Waite Tarot to continue journeying on.
My intention for this eighth week of intentions is to look at what gifts can I give 
The two cards I drew after setting an intention to discover what gifts can I give myself are :
Amongst my many sets of oracle cards there are a couple of small and often overlooked sets. These were the precursors of the glossy, very artistic cards that abound on the shelves of bookshops and the like. Listening to your inner voice in these uncertain times can be difficult as the constant stream of information via TV, radio and internet may scramble the messages. Fear will also hinder listening your inner voice. We are hardwired to respond to danger – you would have heard of the flight, fight or freeze responses that our subconscious mind gifts to when faced with a dangerous situation. Fear is like this virus, quietly acquired and infecting our very thought processes until we manifest the symptoms externally.
Today for this 7th week of intention, I reached out to my ancient (last century) container of Angel Cards. Tiny by today’s standards, but in their simplicity – just one word in beautiful calligraphy and a line representation of an angel – I found an antidote to the fear that had crept up on me. Feeling incredibly stuck as how to best move forward in a time of uncertainty, the Angel Card that I picked from the container was Understanding. When paired with a randomly selected card from the little purple box that sits next to the Angel Cards, it made more sense. The subsequent card from Treasures from Tikashi was the Treasure card! I believe that this card has relevance not only to me, but to you as you read this week’s intention.
It’s time to evaluate your calendar. By using a digital calendar (such as Outlook) you can colour code your appointments. This will give you a visual representation in which areas you may be over committed. I run several calendars – digital, a desk top diary and the trusty kitchen calendar. The old proverb (
Following on from last week’s post, once we let go of what no longer serves us, we can create space. Why do we need to create space? Because from energetic and Feng Shui points of view, clutter is what obstructs the free flow of energy. Clutter that remains can be physical or emotional. Who has a kitchen drawer full of utensils that might be used just occasionally? When was the last time you used that fancy melon baller? If it was longer than six months ago, it is most likely to be clutter.
ers or a shady shrub with a comfortable space to sit and contemplate. For the interior, decorate your space in colours and furnishings that please you.
Building on last week’s intention to focus on a healthier lifestyle, I have started to release what hasn’t worked for me in the past and the current energy of the February New Moon is an ideal time to do this. Building a healthier lifestyle is not only about food, it’s also about mental, emotional and spiritual health. Mentally – it’s checking in on what I’m focusing on. Am I thinking positively or have I got myself into a spiral of negative or unhelpful thoughts? Emotionally – it’s about checking in to make sure I am acting (or re-acting) in an emotionally intelligent manner. Spiritually – am I making time to nurture my soul?
I love the message that this oracle card gives. When you release the negativity and the investment in an outcome, it may seem miraculous, but opportunities open up. You can choose to allow the universe to assist you on a spiritual level or use a coach or therapist to work to remove and release your subconscious beliefs.
Weeks of Intention will start next week and I hope you will join me on this journey. However you can choose to follow in real time or wait until it’s convenient for you and begin your own ten weeks of intention. Obviously since everyone’s intentions differ, you may choose to substitute the intention for the week with something more relevant for you.
Another of my envelope jottings looked at intention and how reflective practices can lead to some amazing solutions.
Do you ever get an idea that needs to be recorded, but either your phone is flat or there isn’t a notepad nearby? I usually have a pen in my car or handbag and the backs of envelopes come in handy and the intention is to use or put these ideas into practice as soon as possible. During a recent tidy up, I discovered a bundle of envelopes that were covered in notes and various ideas from several years ago. I made the decision to transcribe each one to store on the cloud. Before I knew it, I had a coaching program written and some articles for here which I would love to share with you over the next few weeks.