Intention

Sitting comfortably at the beginning of a yoga class, I hear the calm, all-knowing teacher suggest that I choose an "intention" for my practice. My first wise-cracking thought is, "My intention is to get through it." But I keep hearing this invitation and gradually the idea takes hold. It helps when the teachers use examples, such as compassion, love, forgiveness. They mention the intention throughout the class. Tell me to check in with myself (like, am I still on track?). Finally, I get it. I can get what I want out of this. Now there's a breakthrough.And maybe a burden too.

But being a "big picture" type, I can't leave it at that. I begin to think about an intention for the DAY. My intention flows out of the end of my pen while I write in my journal each morning. I have no idea what is going to come out. I am amazed at how intuitive my pen is. After a day of beating myself up for being impatient, my pen tells me my intention for the day is self-love, compassion for myself. Forgiveness for not being eternally patient, grateful acceptance of a new day, another chance.

All this is well and good at 6:30 (or later, I admit) in the morning. But what about at noon at the stoplight in the middle of town when, just as I have a chance to turn, a pedestrian strays in front of my car? (Under Vermont law, pedestrians rule. Period.) Well, actually, it's an ideal time to check in with my intention. How is that compassion going? Where am I on that impatience meter? The idea is to recognize a chance to STOP, BREATHE (maybe more than once), and then CHECK IN.

It helps to figure out what might trigger a "check in." Red stop lights would be perfect in Washington or Boston, but in Montpelier we have only one stoplight. So in the absence of having a personal Yogi to toll a bell for me every two hours, I have been looking for other transition moments that might work. How about when I start the car? Turn off the car? When I move from one room to another (too hard to remember)? Whenever I use my credit card? When I step into the shower? Some of the above? All of the above?

My first thought was to "send" myself a chime message every two hours. I carefully selected the sound from those available. Great idea. But my iPhone and I are still discussing how to achieve this. We apparently disagree. No chimes have been sounded despite my efforts to set this up. Now I am just grabbing whatever I can. Unfortunately the credit card option seems to be winning. Lots of opportunities to check in there. So far, my "check in" has not stopped any purchases. But I am thinking maybe this could be a strategy for reducing thoughtlerss spending.

After all, this is all about being mindful. Intentional. Thinking about what I am doing. Giving myself a chance to reconsider what I am about to do or say. Checking the alignment with my intention. Recognizing and accepting how far off course I might have strayed since I last checked in. Feeling grateful for this moment when I can steer myself back on course.

A dear friend told me he thought this sounded like a To-Do list (God forbid). Au contraire. It feels like painting a backdrop for the day rather than one more thing to do.But I admit, it is work. And it seems to be working for me.