There is great power in taking a moment to stop and ask ourselves, “Why am I doing this?”
A simple question can open so many new doors.
The Power of Intention
Intention is at the core of what fuels everything.
It is important to realize that not all of our intentions are conscious. There are also unconscious intentions: When we do things without realizing why we do them.
Sometimes, we have intentions that are different from the intentions that we think, and make ourselves believe, we have. This is when we say and believe that we are doing things for one reason, while we unconsciously do them for another.
Regardless of whether it is conscious or unconscious, intention is powerful, and awareness is key in understanding why we do the things we do.
Uncovering The Source
To uncover the source of our actions, we must first become aware of the actions themselves.
When we catch ourselves doing something that we don’t know why we do, first, it is important to notice everything that we can about this action.
- How does this action make me feel?
- Am I completely present for this action?
- Is this something that I feel obligated to do?
- Does this action serve me in any way?
- Why am I doing this?
The more conscious and open we are towards this action, the more we will be able to decode it. The more we will reveal about ourselves, to ourselves, and the closer we will become to understanding who we really are.
(Note: This is also a form of shadow work.)
It is ultimately our choice whether we put in the work to comprehend these underlying intentions that we all hold, and once we do so, we can make the conscious decision to choose a path of intent that serves us. This is what it means to live consciously.
Does It Serve You?
Now, the BIG question: Does this action serve you based on the intention that fuels it?
This goes back to how the action makes you feel. Replenished? Drained? Fulfilled? Regretful? Do you do it out of love and compassion? Spite and envy? Does it bring you joy and excitement? Lack and dissatisfaction? Whatever it may be, the true answer lies in how it makes you feel.
From this point, my simple rule of thumb moving forward is: “If it does serve me, then keep it. If it does not serve me, then get rid of it. For if it does not serve me, and I still keep it, then I am only betraying myself.“
I understand, first hand, how difficult of a process letting go can be, especially if it is something that we have become comfortable with. Regardless though, the first step in letting go of actions that do not serve us is by setting the intention to do so.
Setting New Intentions
Genuine, new intentions.
In other words: If we, on some level, do not want the intention to be set, then it will not be set. It requires mental clarity and focus, a conscious understanding of “why” the intention is being set in the first place, and the will for the set intention to be carried out.
In addition: When we make the decision to set a new intention, this intention can be for no one other than ourselves. It has to be an intention set by us, for us. Even if we set the intention to “give back to others“, we would have to do so from a place of being open to receive.
(Also, please note: Prioritizing the self is not selfish, for we can never give if our tap is empty.)
In conclusion: The best way to clear intentions that fuel actions that do not serve us, is to set new intentions that fuel actions that do. Intention is powerful, so let us choose to be conscious, and choose positive intent, for ourselves and others.
United Being 