Tuning our Inner Compass
How does each of us find our inner compass in a world roiling with turmoil, conflict, and division? I want to share with you a way that I have been exploring mental intention. Mind intent is one of the Three Intentful Points of Focus in tai chi and qigong along with the breath and postural alignment. By simply choosing a word, I can use it as a guide, or mindful intention, throughout my practice. Words like calm, breathe, peace, and stillness come to mind.
My Three Words: Peace, Connection, Creativity
As the New Year approached, these three words: “Peace, Connection, and Creativity” came to me. Peace, because it is the core of my practice. I think of finding peace as returning to equanimity, a state of ballance, calm, and self-kindness. Connection, because we need one another for our health and well-being. And creativity because that is core to my identity as an artist. Interestingly, my friend Keith Spiro got me going on this way of stating my best intentions for the New Year through his monthly column in the Topsham Cryer. New beginnings can be exciting, but they can also be challenging, and consciously stating our best intentions for the new year can help.
Intention and Resolution–How they Differ
Let’s talk about the difference between an intention and a resolution. On the surface, they may appear similar. When we make a resolution it is usually stated as a goal to be achieved. And we often feel let down when we stray from our goal. An intention, on the other hand, is like a touchstone. It can be a pebble in your pocket that you can reach for as a reminder. There’s no judgement involved–an intention can help us keep our focus in a world that does its best to distract us. And that focus is internal–it’s about helping us stay true to ourselves in a world that’s trying to make us like everyone else, to loosely quote a favorite poet of mine–e.e. cummings.
My best wishes for you–Peace, Connection, Creativity
May you find your way to peace, connection, and creativity, however these words may manifest in your life. I believe all three are our birthright. Much love to you, dear readers. Let’s stay connected!
Robin
Beautiful intentions; you inspire me to adopt my own; however yours are so good! I like the analogy “of a touchstone… a babble in our pocket.” Sharing your pine, your piece of creativity is also very much appreciated!!
Hi MaryAnn,
Thank you for your comment and words of appreciation. I love that we can put our intentions in a pocket like a smooth beach pebble.
Warmly,
Robin
Dear Readers, Here are some other intentful word trios I’ve come across since we turned the page on 2024. They are food for thought for all of us! ~Robin
~Wild, crossing, life (anonymous)
~Healing, rebirth, reconnection, Dr. Roger Jahnke, OMD
~When the energies of Heaven and Earth combine in balance within us, the result is benevolence, humaneness, and goodwill. Mimi Kuo Deemer, tai chi and qigong teacher
Health, Happiness, Humor, Sage Schmutz, SLMM member
My Three words for 2025: GRATITUDE – ALIGN – ACT. Choose Just 3 words to guide your thinking and you can forget about making & breaking New Year resolutions. Yes, those old-fashioned, quick to be discarded ‘resolutions” are totally out of step with today’s need to be nimble and flexible, particularly as we enter a noise filled 2025. Keith Spiro, storyteller, community builder, award-winning photographer
Every subscriber to this newsletter, I’ve found, shares a few traits; foremost among them are courage, compassion, and determination. My readers come here not because they must, or because they’re paid to—I wish! —but because they are driven to try to save the fragile, flawed, but infinitely precious democracy we call home. Jessica Craven, Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/6/2025