“Living with Intention” is our theme for January. Not living with intentions plural, which we do all the time, often subconsciously, but living with intention, singular. If you struggle with New Year’s resolutions, think about a question posed in the Soul Matters Theme Circle packet: “What is your intention when you wake up? Some begin the day by asking, ‘What do I have to get done?’ Others ask, ‘What do I want this day to be about?’ Which are you?”
My days are usually ruled by To-Do lists. I am a list-maker and a list check’er-off’er. I find this way of life satisfying and mostly effective. How would my day transform if I were guided by a To-Be list instead? Tomorrow, my singular intention is to be grateful. I’m going to put that at the top of a To-Be list. I want the day to be about noticing gratitude and feeling grateful.
The next day, I might choose something else: my singular intention will be kindness and I’ll put that at the top of the To-Be list. I want the day to be about noticing kindness and being kind. The idea is that everything I’m doing will be under-girded by a singular worthy intention to be in a way that will inform and influence what I’m doing.
Don’t get too impressed—I’m talking about jotting my intention for the day on a Post-it note while I’m eating breakfast and attaching the Post-it note to my microwave, computer monitor, bathroom mirror. It’s going to take multiple reminders. I offer this to you as a spiritual exercise. I won’t hold you to it or be disappointed in you or myself like a New Year’s resolution vortex. It’s an offering.
Try amending the Soul Matters question this way: “Some begin the year by asking, ‘What do I have to get done this year?’ Others ask, ‘What do I want this year to be about?’ Which are you?”
Dear Ones, what do you want this year to be about? When you find your answer, use it as your guiding compass.
Yours,
Dena
Rev. Dena McPhetres, Associate Minister