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Writer's pictureBridget Belden

Don’t let your intentions become your goals



Your Magenta Monday Magic.



Today I want to talk about the importance of focusing on intentions over goals.


But first, an update.


Remember about a month ago I told you about our trip to Chile that was canceled due to Charlie hurting his knee?


It’s led me on a journey that I didn’t expect.


When we had to cancel our trip, I had so many emotions - grief, sadness, anger, frustration and yes, pissy Bridget made her appearance.


I was mad at my husband.


At least I thought that’s what was going on.


And, of course, to a certain extent, I was. But that was not what was driving the bus.


With the gift of time and reflection, I realized that when I dug down deep to the source of all of those feelings, what I found was fear. A deep fear that shook me to my core.


You see, about 20 years ago my husband and I were in the process of reconciling in our marriage, and we spent a weekend away together to discuss and plan what we wanted our lives to look like.


We came to the conversation with very similar lists, and at the top of both of them?


Travel.


That was the #1 thing that we both wanted more of in our lives, and we spent these past 20 years making that goal a priority whenever possible.


We talk about it when we discuss the future - where do we want to go? What do we want to do?


We spend time researching and when one of us comes across something that sounds cool, we add it to the list. (That’s how we ended up with the Atacama Desert as one of our destinations.)


We prioritize the places that are harder to get to and a little more active and adventurous because we know that good health isn’t a promise and that as we age, we will have to tailor our itineraries accordingly.


So back to that fear….


I spent some time getting curious about what was really going on behind that fear, and what I discovered was: I had conflated my INTENTIONS with my GOALS.


The goal that Charlie and I set all those years ago was to travel.


We put our stake in the ground, orienting our lives to that goal for the past 2 decades, and the next 10 -15 years (if we’re lucky).


And poof. His injury reminded me that just like that it could be gone. And I wasn’t sure what would be left.


That was the ugly truth.


I had become so committed to our goal that there was no other possibility available to me.


Can you relate?


What I've since realized is that my intention is not for travel. My intention is for adventure, love, connection, beauty - things I currently find in abundance through travel - especially to far away places.


But they also exist through other activities.


That is the beauty of intention. It is not tied to one specific goal or method. Intention transcends all areas of our lives and can be found in a multitude of ways.


Adventure can be found in trying something new.

Love can be found by expressing oneself more readily.

Connection can be found by cultivating new friendships.

Beauty can be found by stopping to witness the sunset as it sinks behind the clouds.


Whatever your intention, it can be found all around you. You just have to look.


 

Monday Mindshift


It’s the 1° shift that makes the biggest difference over time.


Last week we explored the importance of intention in living an empowered life. You (hopefully) spent some quiet time thinking about what you want more of and by now have come up with a list of at least a few intentions.


This week:

  1. Look around you. Where can you find those intentions in your everyday life?

  2. Put at least 3 of those activities on your calendar.

  3. Go do them.

And remember, there are many ways to find those intentions. Be open and explore a few of them!


Love,



PS. I’d love to hear what activities you did to connect to your intentions! I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas with us in Thriving Mom’s Collective FB Group!


 

Living BRIGHTer is...


B - Be Brave

R - Cultivate Relationships

I - Live with Intention

G - Practice Gratitude

H - Prioritize Health

T - Live your Truth


What is Magenta?


The color magenta is one of universal harmony and emotional balance. It is spiritual yet practical, encouraging common sense and a balanced outlook on life. Magenta helps to create harmony and balance in every aspect of life; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.


Click on my calendar link to sign up for a FREE 45-minute Pathway to Purpose Breakthrough Session now.



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