Intention and an Easy, Effortless Life - Update

This post was first published June 10, 2010 but I've added to it!

I have a list of Intentions I focus on at the beginning of each day. I've been diligent (only missed one) since I started January 27th, 2010. And even on that day though I did not sit and read and ponder each statement, the ideas swirled through me as I sat at my computer working on my current novel.

My Intentions include words like 'easy' and 'effortlessly'. I've lived over half of my life from the point of view that if I work harder I'll have better results, I'll get ahead faster, I'll produce more, I'll make more money. This view of the world is a kindred spirit of 'no pain, no gain'.

The term 'hard work' is often associated with long hours, pushing through, getting it done which are not necessarily bad but when there is a heaviness, a 'have to' mind set that creates stress, then the joy of the work is lost. Think about the time you were engrossed in a project and the time just flew by. That is what living a life with ease and effortlessness is about.

At this point I want to have it all. I want a life of love, joy, happiness. I want to be productive, writing and publishing my novels. I want time to be with friends and family. And then there is the reality of working until my income from writing increases. With only twenty-four hours in a day, how does that come about? How do I have a life of effortlessness and ease and have all that, do all that?

Shifting my belief that life has to be hard to be good, that I have to struggle to be successful is my starting point. Since I've started my daily Intention work my life is easier, more effortless. I find myself leaving late for an appointment but arriving on time. I find ideas flow into my mind when I relax. I find people who are blessings to me show up without my having to search for them.

The experiment I'm committed to for at least a year is to see how easily and effortlessly I can live my life. How little effort it actually takes to have what I want if I'm clear about and focused on what I want (Intention). To be open to and aware of the world around me and the Synchronicities that support my goals, dreams, and desires.

I'd love to have you join me.

April 25, 2015

Almost five years have passed since I wrote this post. Where am I now?

+ Retired except for my writing and some teaching for The William Glasser Institute.

+ More focused on my own health and fitness than ever before.

+ Still working on eliminating stress/tension from my life - while I've made progress, I've still a ways to go. 

Recently I started working with a new Rehab program because of pain in my hands which is exacerbated with typing. What I really like about the two people I've worked with is they do Not endorse the "no pain, no gain" perspective. In fact, they are on the opposite side of the spectrum. "If it hurts, stop!"

They broke down all the exercises given to me to three simple concepts:

Move

Pace Yourself

Rest

*** If I don't get all the exercises done but I've moved throughout the day (I wear a step counter and my current goal is 5K steps a day), I'm good.

*** Am I taking breaks every hour from the computer? I'm good.

*** Am I getting a good night's sleep? I'm good.

My life is easier and more effortless as I go through each day. I still tend to over plan my days but not as much as I once did. I still tend to be a perfectionist, but I'm catching myself and reminding me of my priorities.

Move

Pace Myself

Rest

I've already seen the results of those three life-style changes and remain committed to stay on this path. 

Are you committed to an easier and effortless life-style?

What changes are you making?

I'm always open to learning from others, so please share!

An Intention and Then What?

My Intention is to post once a week. If you look back at my last post, you'll see I'm within that time frame, however I started blogging on Thursday, then went to Monday, and then to Tuesday. Last week it was Thursday or Friday and today it is Wednesday.

Why is it so hard to follow through?
Why are things 'spaced' off? or forgotten?

If I had the answer I'd let you know, I'd write articles, I'd give speeches, I'd definitely share!

What I do know is that when we beat on ourselves when we slip up, when we don't meet our expectations, we only hurt ourselves and we only increase the probability that we'll mess up again. And more than likely sooner because Anxiety is not a friend of follow-through.

Life is about experiencing, growing, living, changing.
Life is about joy, happiness, grace, and gratitude.

If you are like me, you have problems being perfect. You may know on some level you are perfect just the way you are, but ...

Welcome to Life, Welcome to the Journey. Remember to enjoy the process, be kind to yourself. If you are, you're more likely to easily and effortlessly follow through on those Intentions.

Technology, Intentions, and Synchronicities

You'll be getting two blogs close together because of technology. One can have the Intention but what I'm learning is without the technical savy a blog can be delayed.

I've also just experienced that even a fervent Intention may not be answered by the Universe.

My three week trip to Nashville, Tennessee and Cincinnati, Ohio did not go smoothly and effortlessly. Delta changed my itinerary so I spent four hours in the Salt Lake City airport arriving in Nashville after midnight instead of 9 p.m. My return trip fared a similar fate for different reasons and I arrived back in Portland at 11 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.

However, there were lessons to learn because of the delays so perhaps The Universe knew better than me. If things had gone smoothly (my trip was easy and effortless) then the questions I pondered would never have been asked and answered and my life would continue in the old direction instead of a new one.

When we hold a clear and fervent Intention, it does not mean it will manifest. But that also does not mean we are not being heard. It may mean that what we want is not what we need or what will serve our highest good.

If you've had similar experiences, please share.