I Dare You, I Curiously Dare You

Dawne Gee of WAVE3 Country asked me in a recent interview, “do you believe that people really wake up with the intent to be compassionate?”  That was a question I was not expecting.  During the following week, I reflected upon her query and asked that question to others.  What did I discover?  Most believed that we aren’t aware enough to focus our intent each morning.

Well, maybe I am an optimist, but I don’t believe that people wake up pondering what harm they can perpetrate either.  While it may be true that few set their intent to be compassionate, most wake up in neutral.  In this place there is no setting of intent to alleviate suffering or to cause harm.  They are simply on autopilot.  Moving out of autopilot and into awareness provides opportunities for compassionate respond.

So, perhaps the key to living in a more compassionate world is to ask one simple question each morning.  That question is “What do I want for my day?”  Then sit with the energy of the answer.  Allow it to permeate your being and become an integral part of who you are.  This intent will point the direction that your path takes on that day.

Perhaps you will put the answer on a Post-it Note and stick it somewhere you will easily see it.  Or, maybe you will create a simple mantra you can repeat throughout the day.  You might discover yet another way you can embed your intent into your awareness.  This isn’t about a compassion formula; it is about discovering what words best for you.

The how and why of your intent isn’t as important as bringing your intent into your awareness.  And, maybe, just maybe, with your intent firmly in the forefront of your awareness, you will make choices that radically change your world.

Forming intent, like other aspects of compassion, isn’t easy.  But, it can and does move you into an incredible way of being.  My challenge to you is that for 21 mornings you set your intent.  Notice what happens on those 21 days.  See how you more in to a more compassionate self and into a more compassionate life.

I dare you, I curiously dare you, to form the bridge of your intent and action

Vanessa

www.intentandaction.com