Let the magic unfold!
We can be pretty good at making New Year’s Resolutions, or - something that I prefer to do - setting intentions for the year ahead. For me, it’s important to do this because it reminds me to focus on what really matters in my life, where I’m headed, and what I need to do to get myself there.
But what many of us aren’t always quite so good at is setting intentions on a smaller scale. And when I say small, I mean small: as in, setting an intention for that day, or even for a single encounter or event.
Being present in the moment is something that I’ve talked about in the past, but it takes practise! We’re often in too much of a hurry, bogged down with day-to-day life or focussed on the bigger picture to appreciate what’s right in front of us - to make the most out of the little things, and enjoy the fleeting moments and experiences that life has to offer.
I recently attended an event in New Orleans, and beforehand I decided to set an intention, to help me make the most of the experience and be fully present in what was going on around me. To do this, I simply took a few quiet moments to feel my feet on the floor, switch my mind off from everything that was swirling around inside it, and search for the feeling of what I needed most at that time. I found my intention: “Let the magic unfold”!
This intention was a perfect fit for the event I was attending, because it was really about knowing that there was absolutely no point in trying to predict or control what was happening! Instead, I knew I needed to embrace the experience, go with the flow, and open my heart and mind to whatever showed up!
For me, the magic certainly unfolded. The openness, the lack of planning and control, and the willingness to be a part of whatever shows up in the moment isn’t my normal way of being, but it brought some pretty amazing experiences my way.
Setting an intention for some of the smaller things in life helps you to inhabit that time and space with purpose, by deciding in advance what you want to bring to that moment.
Why not start thinking about setting an intention for some of the smaller things in life? Whether you’re sitting down to a family meal, spending the day on an important project at work, going to meet a friend for coffee or even preparing for a difficult conversation - decide in advance what energy you want to bring to that occasion.
Ask yourself:
What’s my intention for this day?
What do I want to bring to this event?
How do I want my life to unfold over the next few hours?
Don’t overthink it! Instead, try to connect with how you feel. Put your hand on your chest, take a deep breath, and tune into the feeling of what you want, or need, in that moment.
Choosing to live with intentionality makes for a much more fulfilling and rewarding life, but remember - it’s not just about the big goals. Life is just a series of moments, so decide how you want your moments to unfold.
