Thursday, October 21, 2010

Connections and Intentions

Connections take time, effort, and energy. Whether it is a phone call, letter, card, email, or visit, to stay in touch with, to stay connected with someone takes Intention.

I've found myself sending the energy of unconditional love to people I no longer talk to or write or visit. It is my way of maintaining some sort of connection because these are people who have been very important in my life but right now I'm not expending the time, effort, or energy to have more direct contact. I don't really want to totally let them go, so I don't.

Relationships take everyone involved to keep the connection. Of course there are times when you call more or they write more, but over a span of time it needs to balance out. And who determines the span of time? We do.

If our Intention is to stay connected at a direct level (calls, letters, visits), we find the time and energy and we make the effort. If our Intention fades because our focus is diverted we find reasons and excuses instead of time and energy.

From my point of view, it is better for me to take stock of my connections and be purposeful, to set my Intention on those relationships I truly want in my life. I can always send unconditional love to those who have been important in my life, to maintain our connection on a different level.

It is the time of year when people send cards and notes to each other, or call to catch up. The Holiday Season ... think about your Intentions with your Connections as you decide whether to connect with anyone, everyone, or a selected group. See if the decisions you make add joy, effortless, ease to your holiday celebrations and let me know what you find out.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

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.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Seeing the Synchronicities

Had major technical problems last Tuesday, at least I thought I did. I couldn't figure out how to get in to post the following blog. By the time I did figure that out, Thursday, I was swamped with 'things to do' to get ready to go to Emerald City Writers Conference Friday through Sunday. This is last weeks thoughts and in a couple of days I'll post this weeks.

Each morning as I focus on my Intentions when I say my last one and ask for my day to be easily and effortlessly full of joy and happiness, I lift my arms and say

"I dedicate myself to be of service to those around me."

Simple words that I've said virtually every day since late January 2010. Last week I began a new experiment and I've paid attention to what those words mean in a different way.

Tuesday I had a person tell me about problems with a parent's estate. I realized I knew something about the problem and had some suggestions. What is the probability that someone would ask start sharing with me a problem they had and that it would be something I knew enough about I could make suggestions for solutions.

I've been paying attention and realize that almost every day something happens, usually not as 'big' as my Tuesday experience, where I am in 'service' to someone else. Helping with a minor chore, sharing some information, telling a funny story when someone needed a laugh.

It really isn't about servitude, it is about awareness. Being in the moment, looking for little ways to ease another person's life. Holding the door open for someone on crutches or using a cane or with arms loaded with groceries. Distracting the cranky child while the parent finishes checking out at the store. Little things...yes, as the old song goes...little things mean a lot.