The Path of Intentions

We all have an idea of what our life should look like – what we should look like, who we should be with, what kind of job we should have, how much money we should have, what kind of house we should live in…. These are the tapes that we have been playing on both a conscious and subconscious level throughout our lives.  But the key word in all that I just said is “should” – and by placing those limits, goals, and beliefs in that context, we are doomed to judge and probably fail ourselves.  So how do we move past those prescriptives that we have set?  How do we find that equilibrium between what our mind constructs and what actually is?

If you are like me, you are always searching for answers, solutions, and pathways to find happiness and contentment in your life. I often find myself looking at books or articles about the process of enlightenment, helping me understand my soul’s plan and what it all means.  I am also a big advocate of listening to telesummits, seminars, and radio shows that feature speakers and healers – creative thinkers that have a vast understanding of that big question, “What is the meaning of life?”  Because that is truly what we are all searching for.  We are trying to understand our lives in a meaningful way – and trying to live each day so that it has meaning.

I was listening to a telesummit – I must have signed up for this “Enlightenment Fest” many weeks ago and quite frankly forgot all about it.  The focus was creating intentions, and how intentions are the directions we give to our “sea of awareness” – our conscious thoughts.  Intentions influence and change our experience by transforming the energy of our thoughts. When I take the time to center myself, and breathe and focus on an intention, I feel better, stronger.  Especially when I am not feeling great, or am feeling particularly sad or vulnerable or anxious, focusing on a positive and constructive thought that directs and channels my emotional and physical energy is quite helpful.

There are many great intentions that we can use for a variety of circumstances.  I find the simpler the intention, the easier it is to focus and actually activate its intent.  We use these intentions to help us steer our course.  We all need that focus and direction sometimes.  Our intentions are part of the process to get to the affirmation – what is already or believed to be true – and arrive at that pattern of thought or action that we seek as our personal truth.   In a conversation with a doctor the other day, I was urged to pick one word as a mantra and use that exclusively paired with a breathing exercise where eyes open, you inhale to four counts and then on the very slow and deliberate exhale, repeat the word silently in your head until you have released all your breath.  Her reasoning for open eyes and silence was that you could do the exercise anywhere and in front of anyone – her example was when face to face with someone who was challenging you on some level, you could center yourself and release whatever negative energy was being directed at you.  And you know, it worked!  So I urge you to pick a word and try this exercise.  Choose a word like love, peace, calm, serenity, patience, or strength.  You get the idea.

When we can find that space and place of calmness and clarity, it is easy to see our lives and our selves clearly.  We then can see that our lives do indeed have greatness, that there is importance and meaning to what we do each day, and overall in our lives.   There are many resources out there to help us through the difficult days and to encourage and cheerlead us through the worst and best of times.  Seek the path that resonates with you.  Find the meditation, mantra, affirmation, or intention that will help create the foundation on which to build your day.  In that place of serenity, you are capable of seeing your life as it is – letting go and forgiving all those things that fall into that category of “should” and allowing the peace and clarity of the moment and what “is.”  That big question?  What is the meaning of life?  Only you can answer that for yourself – only you can create your meaning and purpose.  But with the tools for enlightenment, you just have to open the door and let the light shine.

Jill Alman-Bernstein

Jill Alman-Bernstein is an Intuitive Empowerment Coach, Soul Realignment Practitioner, inspirational writer, freelance editor and writer’s coach, deep sea soul diver, mother, and mermaid. She is the creator of the platform I Must Be A Mermaid focusing on inspiration, empowerment, personal growth, and transformation.

jillalmanbernstein.com