Intention

Intention......classes today were based on setting intentions for our daily lives.  Take a simple seated twist, think of it as an easy way to remind yourself to let go of the past......don't look back.  Mountain pose.......reminds us of the strength we did not think we had ( after all, I teach at an alcohol/drug rehab center, it takes some strength to check yourself in)  we are always stronger than we think.

We all have intentions.....well, we probably think of some of them at least once a day. So what do we do to remind ourselves of them......we can use yoga postures, songs, pictures, words......many ways to be creative.   If you want to practice guitar every day.....don't leave it in the case.....put it on a stand where it beckons to you each time you walk by.

For me,  several months ago I set my intention to do vocal exercises at least three days aweek.......I put them on my phone and the three days I work each week.......I do them in the car. A student talked to me about her desire to stop smoking.......I suggested that each time she wants to smoke, first she has to drink a glass of water.  A couple of things can happen here, at least she is doing one healthy thing (drinking water) and I read an article  awhile back, that a glass of water before each smoke helps to flush the nicotine from the body.  Not sure if that is true or not, but I have found that when you start with one healthy habit, others follow.

I am well aware of the old saying, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions."  The secret is to to follow through with those intentions, not just say or think them.  It's one breath at a time, one day at a time, one intention at a time.  Each morning set one intention.......it can be anything from being kind to a stranger, eating a healthy lunch, letting go of judgement.....whatever you set, find a way to remind yourself.....a post it......a stop sign....
the color blue......you will find a way.