As a new year begins it is wise to write out your intentions for 2016. What do you dream about? What do you wish for in your life? In this exercise we look to the future and state what it is we intend for ourselves and the benefit of others.
An important distinction to understand is the difference between an intention and a goal. This is not about goal setting. The reason to take a different approach from traditional new year goal setting is because goals can become expectations. Most disappointments in life are due to unfulfilled expectations. Stating your dreams and wishes as an intention instead of as a goal avoids disappointment if they are not achieved.
I can clarify this with an example from my own life. I have mentioned several times in these columns that my wife and I went through a heart wrenching period of infertility. We were eventually blessed with a miracle son named Luke. During the treatment process I would set goals and make demands upon my wife and the doctors. All of these efforts met with failure and disappointment. I tried to bargain with Mother Nature and I lost.
At one point I became depressed and in despair. I said a prayer in desperation and let go of trying to force reality to conform to my demands. Instead of insisting that the situation go my way on my schedule, I gave up trying. I shifted my orientation from a goal to an intention. I stated to the universe, “I intend to be a father.” That was the turning point. I had no idea how I would become a dad, I just intended I would be. I let the universe decide on the details. Ultimately, this was the right attitude to embrace and now I am a father who is grateful to be blessed with a son.
Another important distinction between intentions and goals is that goals tend to be associated with deadlines. You want such and such by some stated time period. Intentions on the other hand are not fixated in time. In fact, you can spend a lifetime in your intentions and never be worried about their fulfillment. I have an intention to one day live in Park City, Utah. I love to ski and the best snow is in Park City. I don’t know when or how this will happen, but I intend it will. I will let the universe figure out how it happens. I am OK with this approach, even if it takes years to accomplish. I affirm this intention every new year.
Goals are of the ego and intentions are of the spirit. Consider the painting of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. I would imagine Michelangelo set an intention to paint the Sistine Chapel rather then a goal. He once said, “Our greatest problem is not that we aim too high and miss it; but that we aim too low and reach it.”
One way to remove your ego from the process of reaching your dreams is to consider doing things for the highest good. Contemplate an intention that can positively impact others many years from now. One intention I have is to help diabetic patients recover from foot infections and not loose a leg to amputation. This is an intention set for the highest good. The highest good includes you, but it gets any selfish ego positions out of the way. I would wager Michelangelo’s intention to paint the Sistine Chapel was for the highest good.
So it is a new year, what do you intend to do with your life? Write out your intentions. Think big, like Michelangelo. Ask what you can do for the highest good. Aim high and reach it.
Matthew McQuaid, DPM, is a board certified foot surgeon practicing in Lakeport. He has a particular interest in Mind/Body medicine and its impact on healing. He is an award winning author and teacher. For more information call (707) 263-3727 and visit www.drmcquaid.com.
