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?