RESOLUTION VERSUS INTENTION: WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?

At the start of a new year it is common to set resolutions ; to take stock of our lives and consider habits that we would like to change, or ways in which we want to grow. It is important to consider the ways in which we implement change; ensuring they are strategic and effective. When we make resolutions we often look at what's wrong in our life and taking action to fix that problem.

We want to lose weight so we go on a diet and start going to the gym. We put pressure on ourselves and suffer from shame and guilt if we fall off course. Many of us sense that a resolution is all or nothing. Intentions however have a much more positive energy to them because it doesn't tie us to an outcome. Intentions don't focus on what needs to be fixed. They simply ask that we bring mindfulness to our actions and make efforts to change. When we make that resolution to diet and then indulge in that second slice of pizza, it feels like we have failed. Sometimes that is enough to give up on a resolution completely. But when we set an intention to eat more healthy, we can view that second slice of pizza with less criticism. Understanding that we are not perfect and that one indulgence does not make us a failure.

Just start over.

When we get knocked off course, we can begin again without getting caught up in self judgement. Simply move on knowing that the next moment is a brand new moment, and tomorrow is a brand new day. With intentions our focus is not what we need to fix, but rather what we want to create. Intentions focus on loving and nourishing our body without any focus on what needs to be fixed. We are not broken. We need no fixing. Intentions focus on looking forward, not backward.

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Dan Millman