In 1998, I wrote that “a means to making money in a way that is fulfilling, nurturing, and healing is on its way to me right now.”  In 2015, I read this affirmation and wondered why I had not yet manifested it.  Today, I see very clearly what happened.  I stated a desire, yet pursued its exact opposite.

I had definite ideas about what I wanted to do and ways in which I wanted to develop.  I didn’t follow through because my focus was on making money, not on the means by which I made it. I believed that once I obtained an undefined “enough,” other things would simply fall into place.  Later, I entered into survival mode.  I had needs that I thought couldn’t be met without my salary.  Because I never took steps to implement my dreams, other people’s desires and needs filled that void.  Over the years, I worked overtime handling OPB (other people’s business) at work and in my personal life.

Regardless of what we say we want, our intentions are shown by our actions.  If I say I intend to lose 5 pounds this month, but continue to eat as I’ve always eaten, then my actual intent is to maintain or gain weight.  The doing guides the creative force.

Dreams take a long time to manifest because we don’t change.  We keep doing the same things.  We want different outcomes even as we refuse to do or think differently.  We say that we don’t want to experience [this] anymore.  Nevertheless, we continue to do what we’ve always done, for whatever reason – love, money, fear, wanting to please, perception of an unpleasant outcome, misplaced commitment.

Consider the following:

• Do you even have an intention?

We all want a lot of things.  We have dislikes or desires: I don’t like this job.  I don’t like living in this neighborhood.  I don’t like people who do this.  I want a better car, a different house.  I want money.  What do we actually intend?  An intent is phrased differently: I intend to pay off my debts.  I intend to have a different job next year.  I intend to get my degree.

If you intend to do something, you can begin to think of certain steps towards its implementation.  An intent makes you focus.  That’s how you can separate a wish from an intent.

Ideas and wishes do not necessarily equal intentions.  Wishes need to be narrowly and clearly defined in order to be considered intentions.  Otherwise, they are simply thoughts being dispersed into the air.

• Are you cancelling out your intentions?

Are your thoughts 25% peace, but your actions 75% conflict?  Each thought, each spoken word, and each action expresses and sends out energy that causes a reaction.  Are your expressions consistent with your intentions?  Does one cancel out the other?  Are you unhappy with your returns?  Look at your investments.  How are you spending most of your time?  The Universe doesn’t judge or interpret.  It receives and responds.  Is your behavior impeding or supporting your intention?

• How specific is your intention?

Wanting your life to change is very general and open to infinite interpretations.  Joel Osteen told a joke about a 60 year old man who wished for a younger wife.  Poof!  He was turned into a 90 year old man!

I say that I want to be a yoga teacher.  However, when I look at my actions, I rarely practice on my own.  I want to, but I never seem to find the time or energy.  I do attend yoga classes once or twice per week.  This tells me that I intend to practice yoga, not teach yoga.  Being aware of my actions allows me to specify ways in which I can deepen my understanding of yoga and work towards a daily practice.

Not having a specific intent is like throwing a handful of seeds into the wind and expecting a rose bush to manifest in your front yard.  This is more of a hope than an intention.

• Is it possible to implement numerous ideas or desires at one time?

I have many things that I want to do.  I have an infinite number of desires.  How can I sufficiently focus so that my intention energy is not dispersed.  If I want to accomplish three things this year, on what can I place the most attention such that my intention becomes actionable?

What if you could instantly feel a reaction from your thoughts and behavior?  How would this guide your existence?  If your life is chaotic or you feel stuck in the same place, doing the same thing year after year, this could be a sign that your generative energy is not focalized. You are emitting too many indecipherable signals.

You might not be able to give adequate attention and focus to 20 different ideas at one time.  Can you concentrate on a few thoughts that can be supported by concrete action?

Make time to do what you most treasure.  Visualize exactly what you want so that you can figure out the steps to obtain it.  As I define and live according to my intentions, I believe that my life will expand from this base and supportive opportunities will flow to me.