Setting Intentions

 

For me it isn’t enough to create a beautiful Mala, I have to put it to work. I create an intention with every mala I make, much like programming a stone or crystal with a job. Intentions are important because they give you purpose, a positive focus, and greater control over your life.

​

Intentions vs Goals:

​

Intentions are - Present Tense, Internal, Motivation/Inspiration      

Goals are - Future Tense, External, Tangible outward things

​

As you can see intentions are different from goals however, they can align with the goals you’ve set for yourself. Intentions remind us about how we want to live our lives, and who we want to be (characteristics we want to embody), intentions become a mindful daily practice.

​

 How to Set Intentions:

​

1. When you are first starting out with daily/weekly/monthly intentions it is easiest to look online for an intention that resonates with you. One that I use daily during my morning meditation is, “I breathe in love for myself, and exhale love for someone else who needs it.” Feel free to modify any intention you come across to get into the practice of using them.

2. Create a daily ritual, if you don’t already have one, you can use a guided meditation or simply focus on your breath. In yoga, they have what is called the box breath. Breathe into the count of 5, hold for the count of 5, breathe out for the count of 5, and hold the exhale for the count of 5. Taking a few minutes to relax allows your mind to settle and helps you to focus on your intentions.

3. Be clear on what you want, but instead of focusing on tangible outward things focus on how you want to feel when these intentions are realized. Let go of the, “it has to look like this!”

4. Once you’ve set your intention it’s time to create/take appropriate action that helps you manifest your intentions. These are daily, baby steps towards what you want more of in your life. 

5. Remember to make it fun - Don’t take yourself too seriously. Part of growing & learning is falling down and failing. When you bite it, laugh at yourself, dust yourself off, and get back up. Every failed attempt is a lesson.

​

Personally, I start my day putting myself first, before I hop on social media or check emails I sit in my office and get into my journal. I write down my intention for the day, then I do the box breath I mentioned above about 4-5 times. I will repeat the intention a couple of times so that I can commit it to memory this helps me call it to mind throughout the day. I have daily intentions I set without my mala and one that is programmed into my mala. 

​

How I program/activate my mala:

​

Remember that there is no wrong way to work with your mala.

 

1. Get comfortable and enter a calm state of mind, be present, and focused. #boxbreath!

2. Hold your mala in both hands, over your heart, and ask them to help you with your intention.

3. This may feel silly at first, but know that this step is important.

4. Repeat your intention while focusing on the feeling you want to embody.

5. Take a few minutes to sit quietly before you continue about your day.

 

I wear my mala almost daily, it is a physical reminder of what I am calling into my life, and whenever I feel lost or stressed I will run my fingers over it and repeat my mantra.

 

I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any questions, please reach out.

​

​

​