Good Intentions

It’s the season of lent and it is a time for reflection and meditation.  Funny, it’s like we are automatically given 40 days to regroup, reflect and reinvent if needed.

A very good friend asked me what I was going to do for lent.  I said, “I have no idea”.
He told me to do something for myself.  Take the next 40 days and just do something for you.
Now, those of you that know me there are lots of things that I want to do.  There are things that I want to do and that I need to do and things that I should do.  It’s sorting them all out into the shoulda, woulda, coulda and I darn well better do for myself.

So, the other night, I watched EAT PRAY LOVE.  And about a million things came to my mind, but I realized I needed to keep it simple.  A lot like the protagonist, I tend to over think and pile on many things to do.  Or I have the intrinsic nature of putting myself on a timeline to get something done or better yet (sarcasm)… make sure I heal quickly no matter whether it’s physical or mental.   This little trait has often been just a “band-aid” to heal something quickly instead of really healing myself about the matter.

So… I broke it down and came up with this…
EAT:

• I intend to continue eating healthy foods. I now come home earlier from work than I have in a long time.  I have developed a good relationship with my George Forman Grill and I eat lean protein and veggies.  Chicken and Cottage cheese have been my closest friends and the results have been pretty good.
• I intend to try at least four new recipes within these 40 days.  Being mindful of the fact I am trying to stay healthy, I will pick things that will be good for me and damn tasty to boot.
• I will continue with my diet.  I’m down 12 lbs since the New Year.  Old jeans are fitting.  Ding dang!

PRAY:

• I intend to meditate more and on a regular basis.  Seriously… I need to do this to keep centered.  One of the exercises is the Smiling meditation.  I did this a few times before.  Seems like a silly thing, but you plaster a major grin on your face and keep it.  As you meditate and relax, the smile on your face becomes more natural and as that happens, you begin to focus the joy on your face to radiating joy to all parts of your body.  Nothing like a root chakra smile to energize yourself.
• I intend to be much more mindful of those around me and of myself.   No explanation to that. 
• I intend to pray more.  Have more faith and be patient with THE PLAN.

LOVE:

• I intend to continue to give self-love by honoring my intentions.
• Live my TRUTHBOMBS!!! 
• I intend to allow myself the freedom to write more, sing more and create more.
• I intend to share with others my talents and dreams and if they think they are crazy… well… whatever. (yes, in my head are the words "Fuck it... I'm doing this for me")
• I intend to draft my plans for three creative dreams I have.  They are attainable.  One will benefit something that I love and the second will be something that I have just wanted to do for a long time.  The third… I feel like I need to continue to honor this project. 
• I intend to do one thing that will get me out of my comfort zone.  I have put on those red shoes and stuck myself out there a lot in the last 3 years.  It is time to do something way outside of the zone and make it really shake my core.

I also intend to cut myself a little slack.  The last 8 months have been a major change in my life, but the next few months will be a whirl wind of happenings as well. 

Simple list, yet a bit of a challenge.  I will have to honor myself and that is something that I do,  but not to the fullest extent.  I do things for myself, but I need to stop and do things that will genuinely enrich my life.  I will also post updates on how I'm doing with my intentions.  Maybe even pictures.  Part of this exercise is to be accountable for my intentions as well.  Those of you who see me will 

My wish for you:  Do something  - anything – for yourself within the next 40 days.  I don’t care what it is, but it has to be something just for you.  And you don’t have to answer to anyone for this one thing.  Just yourself. 

Now... ready, set ...GO!!!