As I play with the concept of intention the last couple of days, I am finding an adjacent concept of space. Call it space, openness, expansiveness, or freedom – all represent the feeling that I am sensing should come along with an intention. My impression is that when I set an intention, it should not be for a specific outcome. When I intend with a specific outcome, I close down the options; narrow the possible results. Look at the words I’m using: close down, narrow. In direct opposition to open and expansive.
A place to pause in Korkula, Croatia
Whoa, I thought intentions were supposed to be specific and clear? You know, the Law of Attraction and all that.
But now I’m considering, maybe they shouldn’t be “specific and clear” in the way I was thinking – in terms of actions or results. Maybe I need to get clear on the desired outcome in terms of how I feel and not in terms of what actually happens. In my search for beauty on Saturday, there were multiple ways it could have been found. I didn’t limit the possibilities with my intention, I didn’t set any expectations, and the results were surprising, delightful and immensely satisfying.
Aha, there’s a clue in the previous sentence: Intentions are not expectations. I’ve tried to shed expectations recently, and hold open the space that comes when the expectations are cleared. All of this is related.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
– Intentions relate to feelings or internal, non-physical ways of being.
– Expectations relate to outcomes or external, physical results.
There is space and openness with an intention, because there is no attachment to a specific, physical result. None of that expectation stuff. If I intend to live a life filled with beauty, peace and love there are multiple ways that can happen. It doesn’t require a specific outcome, if I’m open to the possibilities that present themselves. If I intend (expect) to live in a mansion and have 10 cars, I am tied to a specific outcome. I’m going to be disappointed, disillusioned and unhappy when it doesn’t come to pass.
I’m going to continue to play with this concept of intention. It feels like I’m on the right track. Thanks for following my meandering thoughts today, as I work through these concepts. I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences and suggestions too!
I read this post and went back to how much more I like picking a word for the new year instead of making resolutions. I think the word gives me the space to adjust for things I don’t know yet and for the changes that may come.
I like your description of the difference between intention and expectation.
What a gift you’re offering Kat in taking us along on your journey of discovery. I so admire your honesty and clear writing. You’re an inspiration to me.
Kat – what a powerful post. As always, I learn so much about myself through your explorations and your willingness to share them with us. I like this definition of intention versus expectation. I am trying to move in the world without expectations; I see now that it is rather intention that I need as my guide.
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Brenda. It’s nice to know I am not on this journey alone.
I keep getting stuck on this statement of yours, “There is space and openness with an intention, because there is no attachment to a specific, physical result.”
Space and openness verse attachment and physical results…intention. Puzzle pieces on a table…the picture not yet fully seen.
You continue to challenge me.
Your comment that it is your impression that when you set out with an intention it should not be for a specific outcome…..that is so true for me, and It’s how I approach most of my photography. Like when I went to the nursery, I had the intention of going there with my camera but with no direct expectation of what I would find or what would happen. I find when I let go of expectations, I allow the universe to flow in. There is a kind of excitement that happens when I’m still enough and just observe what is around me rather than looking for something specific because sometimes that is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I’m really loving your thoughts on all of this . . . it’s kindof tying some things together for me. I chose a word for myself this year – Explore – which is discovering things that are unknown or unfamiliar. And I think that in order to really explore something, myself, photography, I can’t let expectations get in the way or it will just lead to disappointment in the long run. When I go more on the intention side of things I am always happier with the results.
Thank you Kat for sharing!