Setting a Clear Intention: Oh, the difference one word can make!

A couple of years ago, I set the following intention: “I intend to create a piece of artwork inspired by the markings on my favorite piece of agate.” (Well…doesn’t EVERYONE?!) This intention set off a remarkable series of events, including multiple sketches and drawings and meditation sessions and conings and widespread gathering of materials. The resulting plan was for a large-scale installation piece that would take months to complete. Only then did I realize I left out an important word in my initial intention: “small.” Or, the word could have been: “easily.” Or, here’s another possible addition: “quickly.”

With the addition of one of these words, the intention could have read:

“I intend to create a small piece of artwork…”

OR

 ”I intend to easily create a piece of artwork..”

OR

 ”I intend to quickly create a piece of artwork …”

In reality, I did not have months of creative time to devote to a large-scale project at that point in my life (my children were 6 and 4, for heaven’s sake!). Yet, my lack of specificity resulted in quite a bundle of unintended consequences.

I learned a valuable lesson. When I set an intention, I now take careful steps to be extra-specific. If I want to take a walk, I might declare: “I intend to take a long, lovely, revitalizing walk before noon.” Or, if I want to eat a good dinner, I might state: “I intend to prepare tasty, healthy, energizing foods for dinner and eat before 7:00 pm.” (Honestly, I’ve eaten cereal and tortilla chips at 9:30 when I haven’t been clear on my goal!) 

Right now, I set the intention to have a brisk, happy walk to the bus stop, arriving before my son gets off the bus. Oops… In the interest of clarity and specificity, make that “a happy run to the bus stop!”