When Intentions Don't Work

I adore setting intentions. I set them for the kind of day I want to experience, the kind of relationships I want, and the things that I want in my life.
But as much as I use them all the time, it’s true that sometimes they don’t work. You intend great stuff all over the place but nothing happens… nada.
It’s because you’re missing the hand in hand partner that goes along with intentions. It’s taking action.
Here’s an example.
Most of us want to love and care for ourselves more. So maybe your intention is to experience the joy of being fully loving toward yourself. But you keep doing the same things that you always have and wonder why your intention isn’t working.
You keep saying yes when you want to say no.
You keep numbing out with food and/or alcohol because you’ve had a bad day.
You keep saying that you don’t have time for exercise.
Your action isn’t supporting the intention. In fact, by not connecting action to the intention itself, you are  crushing your intention instead of supporting it. You say you want something but your actions say otherwise.
So you never get there.
And here’s the real kicker.
Everything that you do, or don’t do, then becomes the evidence that proves that you simply aren’t fucking worthy of having what you want.
Hello! The barn door has opened and the gremlins are running amuck. You keep beating yourself for all your perceived mistakes. You see yourself as weak.
You stop trusting that you can ever really make this happen for yourself so why keep trying? And the self-destructive cycle lives on.
The key is to decide that you are going to have the experience you desire by first setting your intention and then by taking action that will make it happen. That’s where amazing shit happens.
So when you set your intention today (I know you all have my Deciding: A Women’s Intention Journal, right?), write down one loving action that you will take to feel loved and cared for. Today.
And tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that. Doesn’t have to be big and crazy, it can be as simple as a 5 minute time out from the hectic day to get grounded and remind yourself that you do truly love yourself unconditionally.
The more action you take, the more you will feel the love and care that you intend. Each time, you have more to add to your evidence list that you actually can experience what you want.
It gets easier every time, and your belief in yourself and your ability to get what you want grows.
What do you suppose is possible when you believe in yourself?
With much Sunday love…