Hi,
This is Theresa Conte and welcome to the New Year.
Today I'd like to talk to you about creating a life you love.
But first I'd like to share a quote from Deepak Chopra.
He said,
Everything that happens in the universe starts with an intention.
The New Year is a perfect time to contemplate our dreams and envision the lives we wish to create.
We often approach the process by creating resolutions,
Which has been a tradition for many,
Many years.
However,
According to research,
Approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week in February,
And some studies,
Like one conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine,
Suggest that resolutions only last for the first two weeks in January.
Uggghhh!
How depressing is that?
But what if we created intentions instead?
Let's talk a little bit about the difference between resolutions and intentions.
First of all,
An intention is something we want to do or have and is in alignment with our dreams and goals and creates a positive mindset.
A resolution means relatively the same thing,
However,
The mindset it creates and the energetic component it contains is different.
Intentions communicate possibility and inspire us.
Resolutions,
On the other hand,
Have an energy that communicates something is missing or wrong and conveys the message that we're not okay or good enough the way we are.
And the changes we feel compelled to make often feel like a struggle as we attempt to use our will to make it happen rather than our inspiration.
Intentions are creative,
They're dynamic and move us into action.
They indicate what we want to experience or the guiding principles we want to live by,
Like generosity or kindness.
Resolutions have a slower vibration and feel heavy rather than empowering and freeing.
Resolutions generally include things like losing weight,
Having a relationship,
Making more money,
Having more friends,
Finding a new job,
Exercising more,
And quitting smoking,
For example.
They often fail because we make them based on something we think we should do or what others think we should do rather than something we want to create and feel inspired to do or that our intuition may be guiding us to do.
Other reasons resolutions fail can include self-doubt,
Not being fully committed,
Making them too big so that they feel out of reach,
And not having the support or accountability we need to succeed.
So this year,
I invite you to experiment with writing intentions instead,
Then get the support you need to realize them.
Here's a process you can try for realizing your intentions and creating a life you love.
First have a journal handy.
Then brainstorm a list of what you'd most like to experience in the coming year.
Your list could include things that are tangible,
Like finding a new apartment,
Moving to a piano,
Or it can include things that are intangible,
Like having a more generous heart,
Being a better listener,
Or becoming more appreciative of the good things in your life by practicing gratitude.
Second,
Write clear,
Concise statements that support your intentions.
For example,
I intend to find an apartment that I love,
That is light-filled,
Has a view of the mountains,
Is affordable,
And is in a convenient location.
Or I intend to appreciate the good things in my life this year by practicing gratitude.
Third,
Create your ideal scene.
Choose one aspect from your list of intentions and visualize or think about it as if it's already happening,
Much like watching it play out on a movie screen.
For instance,
See yourself in your new apartment,
Sitting,
Relaxing,
Enjoying the sunset as you look through your window at the mountains.
Or,
See yourself enjoying a cup of coffee or tea and feeling a sense of gratitude for the warmth and pleasure it's providing you.
Fourth,
Create a list of realistic and manageable steps to bring your ideal scene to fruition.
If you're looking for a new apartment,
Perhaps a few manageable steps include spreading the word among your friends and colleagues,
Looking at ads,
Or going to a realtor.
If you want to develop more appreciation for the good things in your life,
You can check out ways of practicing gratitude.
Fifth,
Power up your intentions with affirmations that inspire and encourage you,
Writing them in the present tense in positive language,
Such as,
I now have a beautiful new light-filled apartment in a location that I love,
Is affordable,
Quiet,
And has a beautiful view of the mountains.
Or,
I now take time to enjoy the good things in my life each and every day.
Number six,
Saying your affirmations out loud will help to increase their power as you will include more of your senses,
Like hearing,
Speaking,
And moving.
A few ideas include looking in the mirror while saying them,
Or affirming them while moving about and dancing.
You can also sing them.
Make up a tune that stems from your intuition and inspires you.
But,
Don't just say the words.
Embody the positive sensations that arise,
Letting the feelings soak down into your body as you say them.
This simple yet powerful practice will keep you focused and develop new and healthy patterns.
Go through the process for each of your intentions.
And,
A few final tips for creating a life you love.
Follow through on your creative ideas and inspiration in order to bring your intentions to fruition.
Nothing happens without action.
Get support.
Hire a coach,
Talk to a friend,
Or form a support group with like-minded people who will champion you and help you work through any resistance that may be standing in the way of actualizing your intentions,
Or consider starting a group of your own.
Stop along the way to celebrate and acknowledge your successes.
Give yourself a pat on the back.
You deserve it.
Of course,
We can create our intentions and the visions for our lives at any time.
There's no need to wait until the new year.
Lastly,
I'd like to leave you with a quote by Epicurus.
Remember that what we now have was once among the things we only hoped for.
Wishing you a happy,
Joy-filled new year.
May all your dreams come true.
