Intention – 11/2/2021

Our intention creates our reality. Wayne Dyer

My husband, Willis, and I created an intention last May that we will hike Vernal and Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park next June 2022. What is “intention?” For us it is about commitment – doing whatever it takes, seeing what works and doesn’t work, what are we learning, what we will do the same or differently based on what we are learning. The formula I like is Intention = commitment + action + magic. Having this intention focuses our attention and action. What will the magic be? Follow us on our journey while creating your own journey of self-discovery.

Intention = Commitment

Hiking the Falls – When we first talked about hiking the Falls, it sounded like an adventure – fun and excitement. Then we decided to hike the Falls. It became a decision – not just a plan that might or might not happen. We did not start with “how” are we going to do this. Rather, we started with the commitment to do whatever it takes.  Not “try.” Remember Yoda saying “Do. Or do not. There is no try!” Our commitment has become the action we take every day to reach our outcome. And the magic is in the journey.

Examples of Commitment in Life

Joan – Last month as a Nutritious Movement certified Restorative Exercise Specialist (RES), I had the opportunity to do a special RES training class with Katy Bowman. It was on the BOSU. Except the BOSU was inverted – upside down!.

It was an hour long and it was one of the most challenging exercises I have ever done on a BOSU. My initial reaction was “I’m too old to do that!” Then I thought, “Wait a minute. My intention is to do this. What would doing whatever it takes look like?” End result, I came up with a modification that allowed me to do the exercise. Why did I bother? Because my intention was to walk away with a new experience. I was committed to do whatever it took to do it. So I took the necessary action and magic happened. The magic was I could do it a new and different way AND get a great new exercise.

Willis – In the 1980s, he was diagnosed with glaucoma. Glaucoma can result in blindness. His intention was to keep his sight. He committed to doing whatever it takes to continue to see. Every morning and every night he sets a timer, puts drops in both eyes, waits 6 minutes, then resets the timer and does it again for 6 minutes. He rarely misses because he is committed to taking the action that optimizes his chances of enjoying all his senses. The magic is that here we are, 40 years later, he is 85 and his vision is clear. I love this quote from an unknown source: “When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’” Replace “hope” with “commitment” and watch the magic happen.

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Intention = Action Update

Where are we today with our challenges as we continue on our journey to the Falls? I saw the podiatrist who said I have minimal neuropathy and not to worry about it. He suggested some changes in my metatarsal pads and to check out some different walking/hiking shoes. I have been doing physical therapy for my left hip and limiting walking to flat surfaces all of October, once again building up my distance. Good news – at the end of October I did a 4-miler on flat ground without pain. Hiking will begin again soon.

Willis hurt his knee early in October and was restricted to walking only for activities of daily living for a couple weeks. He is now cleared to walk on flat ground and build up his distance – once again – like he did on Maui. At the end of October he was back up to 2 miles on flat ground. And, he continues his exercises to alleviate his scoliosis and strengthen his non-replacement hip.

Intention = Magic

The magic we began noticing when we made the decision to hike the Falls and which continues every day, is the learning, who we are becoming as a result of having this intention, the difference it is making in our lives and in the lives of others.

Challenge

What is your intention? The decision you have made or will make? What is your commitment? Are you ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen? What action are you taking or will you take? I invite you to let us know what you’re up to in the comments section or send me an email and let me know what you are doing or would like to be doing on your Journey of Self-Discovery.

Dynamic Aging Interview

In October I met with Roland Denzel, the Director of Marketing for Propriometrics Press, publisher of our book, Dynamic Aging. We talked about changing the paradigm of aging, living dynamic aging and our Journey of Self-Discovery. You can check it out here.

I invite you to contact me at joan@dynamicaging4life.com for your complimentary Introductory coaching session!