Intention is considered to be the motivation behind any action. And good intentions are considered important for a positive outcome. On the other hand, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. So are intentions really enough to bring change to your life.

What is an intention?

Intention is more than a wish and a desire. It is the cause (conscious or unconscious) with which an action is carried out. The desire to hurt someone physically or emotionally may have roots in self protection and the intent may be survival. Intention is significant enough that even though it is intangible evidence, effort is made to establish it in a court of law. Judgements get passed on the findings.

photo credit: simonella_virus

More about intention

To understand intent, you need to look at choice as they have a powerful relationship. Whilst intention is the cause, choice is an action – even if it is a mental one! And intention dictates choices we make – the effect! Add commitment to this and the trajectory of your life can change because not only have you made the choice but have put your will behind it to see it happen. Without commitment, choice carries no value and without choice, intention is of no significance.

Your whole life functions around these three elements. People you meet and the lifestyle you lead are by-products of your intentions and choices. If you stop to look you will see the pattern emerge. You keep meeting people who think like you and share your intentions. Why is that? Because similar intentions attract! People don’t, intentions do. Your actions may be different but your intentions are the same. Your creativity might be different but your intentions are the same. Your passion might be different but your intentions are the same.

Disguised intentions

Intentions are very good at disguising themselves and are not easily understood. For example a man who committed suicide may have been trying to find peace. It is easy to be judgemental about something like that. Sadly, without the knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the event – it is a shot in the dark. Your chances of being right are about the same as your winning the national lottery next week. And perhaps those who do judge harshly have their own intentions to understand.

photo credit: kenjonbro

Engineering change

A conscious manoeuvring of the intentions to take a more optimistic view in life is not possible without changing the supporting structure. It is like building a house with no foundations. The first storm will blow it over. To instigate change, you first need the will. You need to free your mind from the limitations you have imposed on it and the boxes you are used to thinking in. Put a pair of sunglasses on and view life differently. A focused mind is the most powerful instrument in this universe. Let it be free and live free. Contain it with labels, judgements, anger, etc. and it will create a world of pain and suffering.

We learn to be angry, jealous, vengeful and deceitful at a very early age. We age in time but not in our habits. Demonstrating the same animal instincts that we were born with: territorial and afraid. A survival instinct above all that keeps us ticking. But if we truly see the world for what it is, transient and beautiful, you soon realise the futility with which we defend our territory.

We have a choice!

Further reading: Positive intention