The night before.

Boy, oh, boy is there a lot to say about setting intentions. Maybe having no computer is really a gift from the universe so that I am forced to practice communicating in a more succinct manner.

I’ll try to make this short as I’m already off to a rocky start on my challenge that hasn’t even started yet.

I went to Aldi after work to stock up on some health food. $80 later and then I had In-n-out for dinner.

As I walked the perimeter of the store, because that’s what you do when you’re on a diet, you’re only allowed to shop from the perimeter of the store, I noticed some of my old favorites: Breads, chips, sweets and snacks. I got really sad when I saw my old friends sitting on the shelves, waiting to be brought home.

That sadness stayed with me as I did my shopping and even with me when I got into my car with my 4 bags of groceries. Then I thought for a moment, in the sweltering heat of an 80 degree day, while the windows were up and the AC hadn’t cooled anything down yet that being sad over food is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of.

I thought about those 600 pound people on that show and the 200, 300, 400 pound people who just. Can’t. Stop. Eating.

I thought about all the people whose lives are sub par and imprisoned because of self assigned and adhered limitations.

I thought of all the times I intended to lose weight or get healthy verses all the times I did. I realized intentions weren’t every thing. Then I realized I told y’all I was gonna talk about intentions tonight and then thought “well, shit.”

So here’s the thing about intentions, they are not action and they are not measurements or benchmarks or rungs on the ladder of life. They really are just the point in which you start your journey.

Now, in the spiritual world intentions hold a little more weight for you are required to “set the intention” before you do any spiritual work. What that usually translates to is something generic like “I’m looking for guidance” or “May they take what they need from this.” It’s all very broad and general.

That broadness is sort of the intention I’m looking for with this challenge. My intention isn’t to lose weight or all of a sudden not hate myself all of the time. My intention is to learn to live a better life, a fuller life.

That in itself is a very deep topic and one I will need to spend quality time delving into, perhaps one of the blogs this month will be about learning how to live more whole and full.

But the intention I’m getting at for this challenge, for myself and for you to find for yourself is one or both of two things.

1) What do you want to get out of it? What are you looking to change or challenge and why? How do you feel now and how do you want to feel?

2) Dream life. What does your dream life, ideal life look like and feel like? Take approximately 5-15 minutes after you read this and close your eyes. Envision you at the zenith of joy, happiness, contentment – why do you feel that way? That is the grander intention, this 10 minute visualization is you setting your intention.

I’ve realized recently that saying things like “I want to lose weight” “I want to be financially secure” are not really intentions being set. In the history of the world they are just wishes, hopes, sentences.

Visualize your intention. When you’re ready, speak it into existence and then get started on the plan of how to achieve the goal.

I can help. Ask me direct questions and I can help you break down steps or micro goals. I can help you talk through the discovery phase too, if that is a blocked space for you. These are things I’m really good at doing.

If you’re starting your challenge tomorrow, jot down your intention(s). Map out the rules of your challenge and your 30 days.

I will write mine in my blog tomorrow. I am still working on part of my challenge, at least on how to map it over the course of 30 days.

It took a lot for me to meal prep my food for tomorrow. I wanted to be lazy on the couch. Instead, I threw a quick breakfast together and a quick lunch. My food challenge is a Paleo/Whole 30 challenge.

I forgot how much work it is to cook all your meals and how unfriendly fast/convenient food is for those eating well.

If you are wanting to do a challenge but are not prepared (I went shopping today and cleaned out my fridge) THEN DON’T START. If you are not ready to start, then don’t start. If you’re not set up for success then it will be that much harder to be successful. If you’re just gonna wing it or are prepared then tomorrow is day 1.

This is gonna be fun. 🤞

*TL:DR. I am tired and it’s late I didn’t proof read. Deal with it lol