HELLO OCTOBER!
September went by like a blink, right? It takes the entire month to shed the Summer, switch gears and get life back on schedule. By October, we’re getting into the new groove so it’s the perfect time to set intentions and goals for the Fall. Starting today, we have exactly 3 months of 2015 left. //Shake your head with me// Does that stress you out or excite you? It’s a bit of both for me. Stressed because I feel the pressure to do more, be more and accomplish more by the end of the year. Excited because- Well, hey…I lived through another year! I’ve grown more, learned more and surrendered more. (I hope!!) Plus, Mercury went retrograde mid-September which can make things go haywire and wonky, but it’s also a beautiful time to dust off dormant dreams and projects. Let’s focus on the latter.
As an avid goal and intention setter, I love the challenge of checking things off the list and feeling that sense of accomplishment. But, it’s also important to give ourselves some grace if everything doesn’t get checked off. If you have been part of SOS for a while, you know that I love setting goals and/or resolutions and intentions on the 1st of each month and not just at the new year. This gives me a chance to refocus every month by setting smaller monthly goals to help achieve the bigger yearly goals. Make sense? It’s like taking smaller bites you can digest instead of one big chunk that you end up spitting out because you can’t chew it.
What’s the difference between setting intentions and setting goals?
An intention is something deeply personal for how you want to be, live, and show up in the world. It’s a practice and a consistent aspiration to guide you toward balance in your life. To find peace in my heart. To forgive and let love in. To treat myself with more respect. To surrender and live fully in the present moment. To release anger instead of holding on to it. By getting quiet and away from any distractions (kids, phone, computer, television) we are able to focus our mind on what our soul is needing most…RIGHT NOW. You cannot do this wrong, but an intention is what comes to you in the present moment as opposed to a goal which is typically something we wish to achieve in the future. An intention could be in the form of a quote, a dedication, a prayer. I set my intentions while I’m praying because it’s important to me that I invite God into this practice and view it as being a co-creator of my plans/dreams/growth with Him. Bottom line- I need His help big time!
Also, because I am easily distracted (even if I’m sitting quietly away from distractions- because my mind is always cranking) I like to write out my monthly intentions and goals in my journal. Life is overall so distracting and as I get older and more forgetful, it’s vital for me to write things down! I keep it simple and place them in categories like personal development/spirit, helping others, career, relationships and health. To give you an idea, here’s an excerpt from my journal today:
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT/SPIRIT:
GOAL: Keep reading “The Identity Bond: A Guide To Self-Awareness” by Dr. Melanie Mills and attend her workshop. (I just paid for my spot at the workshop so that is one step closer to achieving that goal!)
INTENTION: To accept myself more fully. (I’ve been hard on myself lately for wanting to withdraw and cocoon. Why do we always try to change our true nature to please others and make ourself miserable? My introverted side needs this time away to refuel, but I fear disappointing others. I am learning more about this from Dr. Mel.)
Here are some thoughts to help you get started in creating an intention:
- What matters most to you?
- What would you like to build, create, or nurture in your life?
- What would you like to let go of?
- Who would you like to forgive in your life?
- How do you feel when you are your happiest self?
- What makes you proud?
- What word(s) would you like to align yourself with?
- What fears would you like to release?
- What are you grateful for?
10 Intention Examples:
- Find balance
- Open your mind and heart
- Focus on peace
- Stay calm and steady
- Act with courage
- Embrace change
- Practice forgiveness
- Allow yourself to be vulnerable
- Connect with others
- Love Unconditionally
If you find if difficult to get started, use one of these if it resonates with you, but try to create something more personal for yourself. I would love to hear your thoughts on this! Like, comment and share if you found it inspiring. I appreciate it!
Thank you for joining me on this journey to become our most happy, healthy, loving and fabulous self. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. Click HERE for more info.
Love, Tiff
SANCTUARY OF STYLE 