January 26, 2012
This week recognizes the Chinese New Year, which is a true bright spot for those of us just catching up with the fact that it is indeed a “New Year.” I find January a time of transition; mentally processing my reflections of the year I leave behind and considering my intentions for the one that lies ahead. This often includes dismantling and recreating my vision board for the year; reviewing my finances and finalizing year-end records; emotionally processing the year’s unresolved issues so my energy if freed for the future. So, a January 23rd New Year presents a perfect opportunity to implement the intentions that I have been formulating the past few weeks.
“Intention.” A powerful word that means different things to different people. Here are a few that I’ve come across:
“A good intention clothes itself with sudden power” - Ralph Wald Emerson
"Our intention creates our reality" - Wayne Dyer
“Inspiration is intention obeyed” - Emily Carr “Good intentions are at least the seed of good actions and everyone ought to sow them" - William Temple, Sr. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” - Author unknown
I’d bet most of you have heard the last one. Many of us have become cynical about the role that intentions play in our lives, and too often reduce our expectations to wishful thinking or half-hearted attempts at change.
The dictionary defines intention as “a course of action that one intends to follow,” and “an aim that guides action, an objective or a purpose.” The implication is clear that intention is intrinsically tied to action. So why is there so often a disconnect between the setting of intentions and the reality of our actions? Why do the majority of New Year’s intentions fizzle by the wayside by Valentine’s Day?
While I cannot offer a definitive answer to those questions, I believe there are some fundamental factors that make a difference. It is important to understand the setting of intention as conscious use of our energy to invite opportunities into our life. Setting an intention to change something in my life, for example, requires an openness of my mind, my heart, my time and my resources toward the change I seek. An intentional invitation is less powerful when part of me is closed off. Being “intentional” requires conscious awareness or I will not recognize the opportunities when they are presented; be it through an event, a person, a process, a thought, an emotion or an experience.
Having recognized the opportunity to live out my intention, I must trust myself enough to act on the opportunity. This is easier if I also trust that my intention serves the highest good of all involved.
These elements of openness, awareness and trust are the conduit for implementing our best intentions for 2012.
It’s not too late! I invite you to join me this week in sending forth our best intentions out into the world with great expectations of what will be returned.
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Mental Health
January 3, 2012
Last night I donned warm clothes and set out into the darkness to adorn the front of my house with icicle lights. Though this event is weeks later than usual for me, I gave myself permission to enjoy the magic of the lights coming to life – and enjoy I did. The air was cool, crisp and still, and the sky was dark. The only sounds were the leaves under my feet and the sound of neighborhood dogs from afar.
I noticed that with each strand I hung, my spirit felt a little lighter; my heart a ... Continue reading...
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Mental Health
September 14, 2011
I find myself in that transition time after vacation. Having spent the day reviewing correspondence, updating my schedule and reconnecting with clients, I am surprised at how manageable it all seemed. I admit that I generally do not relish the thought of a day dealing with more paper than people, so it causes reflection of what is different today.
My observation is that today comes at the heels of almost two weeks away from my computer, my office and my home. More than that, almost two ... Continue reading...
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Health
July 25, 2011
“I’m in charge of Los Angeles. And I come here; I feel like a little fat girl.”
We usually think of time travel as something that happens in science-fiction movies. Images of “Back to the Future,” “The Time Machine,” or “The Time Traveler’s Wife” come to mind. The reality, however, is that it’s really quite common. In fact, many of us will time travel this summer.
The above quote is spoken by Jane Fonda’s character, Chelsea, in the movie On Golden Pond (1981 )... Continue reading...
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Mental Health
July 5, 2011
The summer seems to be flying by and I hope that you are enjoying yours. As we enjoy the July 4th holidays, I am mindful of the severity of the drought here in Central Texas as our traditional fireworks displays are cancelled around us. Rain has been as scarce here as it has been prolific in other parts of the country. As I carefully water the backyard flowers that help create my home sanctuary, I am reminded how crucial water is to our very survival.
Water, Water Everywhere, but Not a D... Continue reading...
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Health
June 10, 2011
“Waiting.” Just saying the word brings up all kinds of images, doesn’t it? Waiting in line; waiting for a table; waiting for vacation; waiting for school to start (or be over); waiting for the test results; waiting until I have the money; waiting until I know what to do. No matter what we’re waiting “for,” waiting is rarely high on our list of things to look forward to. After all, it’s just an empty gap in life; a time when nothing’s really happening – isn’t it?
Enga... Continue reading...
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Mental Health
May 14, 2011
“It’s not that there are no differences – the world is made of infinite variety – rather it is the seizing of differences, the fearing of differences, that keeps us from feeling grace.”
Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening
I am often struck by the “infinite variety” of people and experiences in the world. It is one of the things that makes my work as a therapist such rich ground for exploring our humanness. I have found that how... Continue reading...
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Mental Health
April 21, 2011
It is a beautiful spring day today, yet I feel a sense of heaviness as I begin to write. I am aware that I have not sent a newsletter since December and a guilty “behind” feeling comes with my awareness. You see, in December I decided to change the format of my writing from a monthly newsletter to a blog that would be more accessible to others. If you’re having trouble seeing the connection, stick with me.
As many baby boomers, I have arrived late to the social media party (in fact... Continue reading...
Posted by Pamela Firle. Posted In : Mental Health
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