Intention

I recently read something that a wise, elderly sage said is one of their daily prayers. 

"God, help me to be the kind of old person young people want old people to be. Help me not just to talk like this but help me to walk around like this and answer the phone like this and talk to my grandchildren like this."

Regardless of your spiritual practice, I was really struck by this thoughtful desire, especially since I am also advancing in years and discovering the definitions of "old" seems to be changing!! It also made me think about it in an expanded way for all of us. What if we modified it slightly and made it work for anyone, regardless of their age?

"Help me be the kind of person others want me to be.  Help me not just to talk like this, but help me walk around like this and answer the phone like this and talk to anyone like this."

It's about setting an Intention and living and acting from that Intentional perspective.

I actually got a chance to witness this in action this week.  I was attending a community event that had some tension and contentious conversations in it, and I saw a few folks engaging with people I didn't think should be listened to (clearly, I need these reminders for myself!).  Afterwards, when I checked in with one of my friends who was engaged in those contentious chats, I asked them how it went.  I was expecting them to immediately say something like, "it was awful!" since that's what I thought it would (and if I'm honest, should) be.  To my surprise, they told me they actually felt pretty good about it and that the other person seemed more open than they thought they would be.  My friend was engaging with this type of Intention in their conversation, so rather than matching the contentious energy of the other person, they engaged with the Intention of who they wanted to be in the world and how they thought others would actually want them to be.  I was able to witness them embody this desire, and it made a difference!

"Help me be the kind of person others want me to be.  Help me not just to talk like this, but help me walk around like this and answer the phone like this and talk to anyone like this."

I really appreciate my friend acting in this way, and through their Intentional example, reminding me of just how important this is.

As you think about this desire in your own life, where are the spaces it feels hard to lean in with this attitude?  Perhaps it would also be helpful to consider who are the people you need to engage with in this way?  Are there contentious spaces or individuals you know are happening around you, and how could you approach them with this kind of Intention?  What impact might occur if we took this kind of Intentional approach in the world in the way we talked and walked and answered the phone?

Here's to leaning in with positive Intention in the world this week!

Be Well,

Stephen

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