Resolution or Intention?

      That is the question on my mind today.  A friend asked me this morning what my New Year’s Resolution is for 2022.  I’ll tell you a secret about myself; I have commitment issues.  So, making New Year’s Resolutions is usually not productive for me.  But, think about the difference between a resolution and an intention.  A resolution is defined as ‘a firm decision to do or not to do something’.  An intention is defined as ‘a thing intended, an aim or plan’.  Having an intention gives one some wiggle room for change, adjustment, grace.  Whereas a resolution is definite, unrelenting, do or die…or give up.  That is often the problem with New Year’s Resolutions, people make them and almost invariably give them up.  Have you ever been to the gym in January?  Packed, right?  How about February?  Not so much.  Making New Year’s Resolutions falls into the same category as diets.  It always sounds like a great idea at the start, but is often unsustainable.  And for some people, the very thought of, “I have to!”, is a deal breaker, even when they are the ones who have made the deal with themselves.  Sometimes it takes a while for that “ultimatum” consciousness to settle in, but when it does people often say, “screw it!”.

     An intention feels like a different animal to me.  For instance, a resolution might be something like, “I will lose 15 pounds.” Or “I will quit smoking.”  Or “I will exercise more.” Or “I will learn a new skill or hobby.”

 An intention feels more like something my soul is aspiring to.  Becoming, rather than doing.  Questions around intentions may be; “How do I want to be in my life?”  “What will I feel like when I embrace the energy of…”  “What are the feelings I am wanting to embrace in my life?”  More joy, more love, more connection, more kindness, more forgiveness.  

     I choose a word of Intention every year, and the start of the new adventure ahead.  This year my word is Kindness.  I have been playing with extending kindness wherever possible, in myriad situations, without expectation.  It is a game changer!  I find it is so much easier to be kind than any alternative.  And the results are almost invariably surprised elation by the recipient.  Which tells me we need more kindness in the world, so that the response will naturally be a simple return of kindness or better yet paying it forward!  

     Here is to a beautiful New Year full of Kindness and Love!  May our world become kinder as each of us chooses to extend kindness to everyone we meet.

Many Blessings to you and yours!

Lisa