Setting intentions for 2023

In the universe, there is an immeasurable, indescribable force which shamans call intent, and absolutely everything that exists in the entire cosmos is attached to intent by a connecting link.

~ Carlos Castaneda

Through thoughts and intentions, we create our reality.

Rather than resolutions for 2023, which are seldom kept, I have jotted down implementation intentions to guide my actions toward achieving better outcomes.

In front of me sits Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book The Power of Intention - Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way. In it, there are so many memorable quotes, a few of which I share. But, I highly recommend reading the book. Or, at least, the last chapter entitled: The Portrait of a Person Connected to the Field of Intention.

Intention-setting is less about setting a specific goal and more about shifting our mindset to manifest a vision or a dream. It is less aligned with the ego (personality or identity) and more aligned with the higher self, the wise being within us that is connected to the greater whole.

Manifesting health

It’s through giving that we receive; it’s through acts of kindness directed toward others that our immune systems are strengthened and even our serotonin levels increased!

~ Wayne W. Dyer

Although I prioritized family and minimized friendship and career commitments during the pandemic, through weekly blogging I was able to connect with some. By being receptive to overcoming fear a few became less vulnerable to infection and emotional challenges.

It is my belief, as stated by the Tao Te Ching, that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

There are different realms of healing. I have some training in the physical, mindset, and emotional realms. I am not a master of any of these domains and have even less expertise in the spiritual realm. But, I intend to continue to learn.

The way I understand it, an intention is a guiding principle to live by. It is not an endpoint but a journey toward manifesting an outcome.

Following is an example of how I currently choose to implement an intent to manifest resilience (the ability to adapt or recover quickly) and well-being as I age.

Embracing discomfort

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

~ Thomas Edison

With the advance of time beyond our reproductive years, which often features more sedentary behaviour, we may experience more physical pain and inflammation-based afflictions.

To increase resilience and healthspan (disease-free years), we have to embrace some discomfort. That’s why exercise is helpful. The right amount of stress is crucial for adaptation.

When at home, this winter, I start my day by immersing myself in ice-cold water. Done safely, cold water immersion has many health benefits.

Upon awakening, I put on my bathing suit to increase the likelihood of following through with this intention. The swimsuit is my cue to act in alignment with my intent.

Doctor Peter Gollwitzer, a professor of psychology at New York University who specializes in goal-setting, states that people who implement strategies to achieve a goal are roughly three times more likely to succeed than those who merely set the goal.

My word of intent for 2023

When you’re connected to the power of intention, everywhere you go, and everyone you meet is affected by you and the energy you radiate. As you become the power of intention, you’ll see your dreams being fulfilled almost magically, and you’ll see yourself creating huge ripples in the energy fields of others by your presence and nothing more.

~ Wayne W. Dyer

Prompted to pick a word of intent to live by in 2023, I chose faith.

Given my quest to learn more about spirituality, faith seemed more appropriate than hope which comes with uncertainty.

Faith is that inner knowing, that conviction, that the universe has our back and that there is a hidden gift in whatever happens to us.

According to Dr. Wayne Dyer, when my intent is good, I radiate at a higher frequency.

I become well-equipped to elevate the state of those around me when I have faith that all will be well.

Along with my health and wellness education, having lived 60 years with experience as an immigrant, ESL student, wife, mother, grandmother, financial technology researcher and developer, health and wellness coach and consultant, I am well-equipped to help others who seek to become more resilient, or less fragile.

But I have yet to develop the fortitude to become a wide-reaching mentor and influencer.

Faith will pave the way should that be the purpose of my life.

True nobility isn’t about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you used to be.

~ Wayne W. Dyer