in·ten·tion  (n-tnshn)n.1. A course of action that one intends to follow.

2.a. An aim that guides action; an objective.

One of the best books I’ve read was “Write it down make it happen” by Henriette Anne Klauser. I picked it up about 13yrs ago and have returned to it many, many times. I had always been a goal setter and a journaler before it was hip and before there were blogs.  I have 20 or so journals from my life with my prayers, thoughts, what cute things the kids said and daily activities, but it wasn’t until I read Henriette’s book that I changed a few things about how I wrote.  I still wrote my thoughts and feelings, but I also started taking time to write my dreams and intentions. I wanted to get really clear about what I wanted, how I wanted to change, how I wanted to feel on a daily basis, what I wanted my life to look like and I wrote… and wrote … and wrote it all out in the smallest of details.  Something magical happens when you take what’s rolling around in the ole noggin and put it down on paper, it made it more real. Writing out my intentions was like a suggestion box for my brain! And things began to change, maybe not right away in my circumstances, but inside of me. I felt inspired, encouraged and because I was clear about my intentions, I was able to see opportunities in front of me that I might have overlooked previously.  Our brains are amazing, and if we are asking ourselves the right questions, our brains will naturally try to find the answer.  Some of my darkest days are those years when I didn’t write, I didn’t dream and I didn’t think about the possibilities. I just listed in the water like a ship waiting to sink.  So my challenge for you today is to dream. Think about what you want your life to look like, in every area.

We can only change ourselves, so think about how YOU want to feel, where YOU want to travel to, how YOU want live, love and work and then write … write … write your intentions.  Rewrite it or place it in a place that you can see it regularly, because it will give you the inspiration to act!

Get in a regular routine of asking yourself the right questions; like how can I feel this way or how can I travel there, because like I said, our brains will figure it out. DO NOT ASK why questions, (why am I still here, why can’t I lose the weight, why can’t I travel …) NO! NO! NO!, because our brains will try to figure that out as well, and it’s self defeating.

Revisit your writings often, and mark things off the list as they happen (because they will!) There is no better feeling than realizing that your intentions are coming to life.

I still have a long list of dreams (it’s always changing), and they have morphed over the years, but I feel empowered, strong and courageous for making an effort every day to live an intentional life.

My hope for you is that you too will feel that zing of inspiration when you are actively pursuing every word  that you’ve written and creating the life of your dreams!

I would LOVE to hear about your dreams your intentions! Let me encourage you on your Journey!

Big Smile=Shawn

“The Declaration of You will be published by North Light Craft Books this summer, with readers getting all the permission they’ve craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do! This post is part of The Declaration of You’s Blog Lovin’ Tour, which I’m thrilled to participate in alongside over 100 other creative bloggers. Learn more – and join us! – by clicking here.