Intention

Intention.

What does it mean to you?

Mr. Webster suggests:

in.ten.tion /inˈten(t)SHən/ 1. An aim or plan.

Here’s what I suggest: I create the life I want by my intentions—my thoughts and choices that result in actions.

It’s always a bit risky to share something that’s very personal and usually very private, but here goes: I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. But I do think about and actually write my intentions for the New Year in my bullet journal.

For 2024, my intentions can be summarized in a single word: Emergence. This is the year I intend to emerge as an artist. My friend, Kate Stockman, reminded me that if you help a butterfly escape her cocoon before her wings are strong enough, she will never fly. Divine timing, all.

I am strong enough to emerge.

I broke Emergence into four manageable, doable chunks. Stephen Covey calls them “rocks.” 1. Improve art-related technology. 2. Seek representation. 3. Improve skills.

Number 4 isn’t specifically about art, but it is about bringing joy and contentment to my life. I call #4 “Spiritual Alignment.” It includes things such as morning coffee with Chuck; daily walks with Lucie; mother/daughter trip with Erin; celebrating Chuck’s 75th year on this planet; time with friends. And, oh yes, good wine!

Under each intention I wrote specific steps—too many to mention—that will keep me focused. Stephen Covey calls them “pebbles.”

If you have suggestions about how I might emerge as an artist, I’d love to hear them.

You might think this an over-the-top obsessive method to control my life. It is not. At seventy-six I’ve lived more years on this planet than are to come. I spent too many of those years pleasing others. It’s time to please myself.

Enough about me.

What about you?

Do you have intentions for 2024?

I’d love to hear them.

Whatever your intentions are (or aren’t), Lucie and I wish you a joyful and prosperous 2024—however you define joy and prosperity.

The Scream

Thankful