The New Year gives us an opportunity to make a fresh start. We resolve to eat better, exercise more and make other improvements in our lives.
But here’s the reality: Most of us struggle with maintaining the momentum needed to keep those resolutions going. The first time we slip, we figure it’s a lost cause – and call it quits
If that sounds all too familiar, take heart. Creating intentions, rather than resolutions, may be a better way for you to go.
An intention is when you tell a higher power — whether it’s God, the universe or something else — what you want in your life. Regardless of what your higher power might be, an intention helps you channel your inner energy to follow though.
To be effective, your intentions should be stated positively. The body doesn’t hear the negative. When you have to do something, there is a resistance. When you want to do something, there is a receptiveness.
Why can intentions work better than resolutions? Whereas a resolution is a firm decision to do (or not to do) something, intentions pull you in. They are a kinder, gentler way to incorporate a change in your life. If you are not able to uphold an intention, you are more forgiving. And when you are more forgiving, it’s not an all-or-nothing proposition. You are more likely to pick up the pieces and try again.
If you want to take better care of yourself in the New Year, Reiki can play a role. That’s because it helps you decompress and amplifies your inner peace. And when you’re calm, you see the world differently. An intention to add Reiki to your weekly schedule can lead to the removal of built-up stress, letting you become aware of things you didn’t notice before.
Here are other intentions to consider for 2019:
Give yourself regular stress checks. As you go through your day, be aware of your breathing and make a conscientious effort to take deep breaths. If you are breathing shallowly, that could indicate stress.
Meditate every day. Meditation increases awareness of how your mind works. If your mind wanders, bring it back. Just five minutes can do wonders.
Observe with kindness. We don’t always know why people do certain things. When a grocery store customer yells at the store manager about a bruised tomato, for example, the real cause of his anger might not be the tomato. He could have been stuck in a traffic jam that evening, or had a bad day at the office. When you observe with kindness, it enables you to assign a different meaning than you would when you take things at face value.
It may take a while to turn your intentions into habits. If you get sidetracked, don’t beat yourself. Embrace the changes you want to make in 2019 with kindness to yourself and others.