I consider the act of wanting as passive. It is defined as “the desire to possess or do something.” I equate this to children at Christmas time or around their birthday making a list of what they want to receive for gifts and then just waiting around for the special day to hopefully receive their requests.
Intention is the grown-up version of wanting. The definition of “intention” is “an aim that guides action; an objective; a course of action that one intends to follow. Therefore, instead of just sitting around and waiting for it to happen, we put forth effort to ensure that what we desire comes to fruition.
In the physical sense of intending, we study hard while in school to get the grades required to be accepted into the college of our choice, we perfect our craft with a multitude of practice hours on the football field or dance studio and we are conscientious once in the ranks of the workforce in order to climb the ladder to management.
Have you thought about intention in the metaphysical sense to up the score? It is also possible to increase the probability of our desired outcome by setting forth intentions to ourselves, God and the Universe for what we are going to manifest. Doing this solidifies a determination and, more importantly, a belief, that what you desire will be yours.
You can send your intention out into the world by visualizing the manifestation of your desire with great detail. Be very specific in all the minute details. Putting your visions and dreams down on paper, either in a story or picture format, also helps solidify your thoughts, turning them into beliefs, giving you something more concrete to keep by your side.
For successful intending and living, it is important to nurture our body, mind and spirit in order to be open to receive. God and the Universe are always on our side and will bend over backwards to align the stars for us. However, we need to make sure we first align ourselves by being as healthy as possible in order for the energy to flow through, unobstructed. Keeping our body healthy is best accomplished by eating pure, unprocessed foods, as close to their original source as possible, to give us the needed nutrients to function at optimal health. It is also a wonderful idea to slow down and really give thought about what we are eating as well as bless the food, its source and the energy it possesses, before taking that first bite. We also need to keep our muscles strong, our bodies limber, and our heart pumping through cardio, stretching and resistance-training exercises. Our spirit can be exercised, as well, through singing praise, prayer, meditation, journaling, attending church services plus whatever methods you prefer in order to stay connected to your source. Our minds will stay healthy by allowing positive messages to come in while excluding the negative, continuing to learn and keeping an open mind.
Intention can be used for every facet of our lives from intending to have a fabulous day when you wake up in the morning, to intending to travel safely with no incidents or accidents on the way to work, to meeting just the right people to help you catapult your business into the heavens, to finding your soul mate. You are limited only by your desire and imagination.
Don’t live passively through life…live with intention.


Leslie Brice is a certified Life Coach and founder of Pathway to Passion and Purpose. She specializes in working with women who are going through a life transition by supporting and empowering them to move in a positive, forward direction through realization of their passions, purpose and infinite potential. She is also working with JB Glossinger and morningcoach.com to keep people improving 1% a day.
Pathway to Passion and Purpose ;Â leslie@pathwaytopassionandpurpose.com
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Finding our life purpose is not really about finding our dream job or career.  It is much greater than that.  It is really more of a way of connecting with God and his love.  Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, reminds us of the passage from 1 Corinthians 13:3 that states “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”  It is learning to include love in whatever relationship, job or career we choose that leads us to discover our life-purpose. This is not a check off the “to-do list” type of love.  This is rather more about a deep connection to God since it is said by all faiths around the world that “God is love.”
What is faith and what does it mean to you? Faith is defined as “trust, hope and belief in the goodness, trustworthiness or reliability of a person, concept or entity”. I, like so many others have had many challenges in my life and what has never changed is my unwavering faith.  I knew with faith to keep moving despite the low periods of hurt in my life. In the book, A Course in Miracles, “There is no problem in any situation that faith will not solve”. One thing is for certain, this profound statement has helped me through thick and thin and continues to resonate with me today.  I know that the God, Spirit and the Universe are conspiring for my greater good and these tools have helped me along the way.Â
There are so many people in today’s society disconnected from their extraordinary lives and living worrying about not being good enough, not having the right car, can’t find the right partner,  the house is not big enough you get the picture I’m drawing?  The sad truth is that they are relentlessly trying to keep up with the Jones next door and wishing their lives away waiting and hoping for what may or may not come and not being of peace of mind to accept and be happy and grateful for what they have right now. Former Zen priest, Josh Baran, Tao of Now teaches, “We can find magic, the spiritual and peace of mind in the ordinary.”Â
What is spiritual peace? What does that really mean anyway? In today’s society we are so busy going from here to there even our children are busy. It’s the environment we have created and live in. Spiritual peace for me is the connection to God within. By connecting I have learned to “Let go and let God” during difficult times. Nhat Han, Zen Buddhist Master, teaches “You need the practice of mindfulness to bring your mind back to the body and establish yourself in the moment. If you are fully present, you need only make a step or take a breath in order to enter the kingdom of God. And once you have the kingdom, you don’t need to run after objects of your craving, like power, fame, sensual pleasure, and so on. Peace is possible. Happiness is possible. And this practice is simple enough for everyone to do. Mindfulness is freedom from your regret concerning the past, and freedom from your fear about the future.”
