Reflection #12 My Intention
The Gap Year
Reflection #12 My Intention
Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.” -- Hildegard of Bingen
I’ve seen contented purpose in others and want it for myself. I too am looking for a purpose that fits. My sister-in-law not only raised her children, but then shepherded her grandchildren, and now in her 70’s is raising her great-grandchildren. She explained that, although others may not understand, this is her purpose in life. I support and encourage her to claim it and name it. This is her life’s purpose. My 93-year-old mother directs a children’s school of over 1200 students in Rwanda. She was fortunate upon retirement to find a purpose that fit her so well that she’ll tell you it is her final legacy. She is most fortunate. Her life is saturated with meaning. My spouse, Dale a retired registered nurse, is a volunteer for the Red Cross and also delivers fresh food to nonprofits that serve our neighbors experiencing food insecurity making an important impact on our community. Now, I’m thinking hard about my purpose: what I want to be about this coming year and into the future.
To find purpose we first have to ask what we intend. What is my intention? Intentional living requires us to be mindful. This may be a struggle at first. Am I designating my time to be with friends and family? Am I volunteering to give to others or to feed my ego? Do I travel to expand my worldview and to better understand different cultures or to be able to post on social media and brag to my friends about the places I’ve been? Is my motivation to remain numb and entertained or to stretch out of my comfort zone and share? The actions may be the same, but the intentions differ. Once identified, this will steer me to decide what actions I will engage in that continue my connection to the world, others, and nature, as well as my well-being. Intention is everything. What do I intend?
What if you are struggling to find what fits? What feels meaningful to you? Whatever it is, write it down on paper. Give it language, not so you or I will necessarily achieve it. But as a way to hold ourselves accountable. To commit to trying. Here is my first attempt to put words to my thoughts:
My intention is love and compassion.
I intend to live in love and compassion toward others—my spouse, family, neighbors, friends, the earth, and the greater world. I am here on this earth to form loving and caring relationships. I am here on this earth to help others through listening and giving of myself in ways that heal and help others live their best life.
I know this broad stroke in four sentences sounds grandiose. And it is. I’ll live with this for now. I suspect it will most likely change. For today, this intention is the foundation for my sense of purpose and my way forward into intentional actions. It evokes my deepest capacity to work alongside others for the greater good. How will I put flesh on it and act within my named intention? Hopefully, what follows will be love acted out in kindness, wisdom, compassion, and joy. What’s your intention?
Now it‘s your turn.
Take time to reflect and if in a group, share as you feel able.
My purpose and intentions are
a) still being investigated, uncovered, and identified.
b) ones that give my life purpose and meaning.
c) centered on my enduring passions.
d) aligned with my highest values.