Building an intentional community~
We are a collective of beings; meant to be loosely or tightly knit together. Thanks to rapid globalization, groups of people that once looked alike, thought alike, and acted alike are shifting to embrace the diversity of peoples and ideas that surround us all. We are awakened to new ways of thinking and being and share this with others experiencing the same.
The Intent Heals Journal was birthed from spirit. Each person that has been drawn to this project has added their own unique and special touch. To continue this web of intentional healing in the world, I would like to invite you to be a guest blogger.
You're intentions are important!
Share your thoughts, insights, ideas, and intentions with us. We are building a community, a collective of beings inspired by the knowing that we create our own reality, and that our positive, healing intentions do make a difference in our lives as well as in the world.
Please email me at jennifer@intentheals.com with your blog and/or an inspiring story. If you wish to remain anonymous, that is fine too! We will also be starting a prayer list so that we can add your loved ones in our Intent Heals Journals. You do not have to include last names; first names or initials are fine. Please send your names to the email address above. You will find the prayer list to the right side of the blog.
Please don't be shy or timid - share your thoughts!
Mind, Body, Spirit Connections
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
February 10, 2011
Pray it Forward~
I can't recall a time where I have heard more heartbreaking stories about friends and friend's family members needing prayer -- father on hospice, possible MS diagnosis, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, brain surgery, loss of a kidney, and my own mom's hip surgery -- just in the last two weeks. I am struck by how we suffer when one of our family members or a loved one is sick, in pain, or undergoing scary, life-threatening surgery. We want to do something!
How heartwarming to hear from you that the Intent Heals Journal has been a powerful way to send healing and prayers. Some of you have gifted journals to your family members and friends who were sick and facing surgery. What a blessing to hear that each surgery was successful! I am now hearing from your loved one's expressing how much they appreciated the journal, intentional prayers and healing!
And so the circle of healing expands. You are praying it forward. I can't begin to express my gratitude not only for your "gifting" but for the many prayers sent my way for my mom and family.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
February 9, 2011
What is intuition anyway?
Is it a hunch? A gut instinct? A "feeling" or knowing that compells you to make a different decision in the moment? Is it the quiet still voice within oursleves that we sometimes acknowledge admist the constant mind chatter? Or listen to when we enter into silence? How do we discern what is intuition from ego, reasoned thought, or our mental constructs that we all rely on to survive and navigate in this world?
We speak about intuition, feel it and act on it. Sometimes to our benefit and sometimes to our detriment -- we have all suffered from intuition that has been dead wrong. I am not sure if we can pull it apart or define it. Perhaps we fall into a trap when we try to tease out this amorphous thing called "intuition" and define it as something separate.
I don't know. I'm sitting with the metaphor of surfing. We catch a huge wave -- lot's of work to catch that wave -- paddling out, kicking, hoisting ourselves up on the board. Then we ride the wave -- being absolutely in the moment -- timing, balance, and focus. Oh, the joy, fear and exhilaration of the ride!
Sometimes, we can have all of that in place riding our wave and we still crash. So we wait for the next one, and maybe we "intuitively" pass on one, or a couple. We wait; feeling when it's right to catch the next one.
Then we paddle out hard, knowing that this next wave is it, and we ride it for all its worth!
Is it a hunch? A gut instinct? A "feeling" or knowing that compells you to make a different decision in the moment? Is it the quiet still voice within oursleves that we sometimes acknowledge admist the constant mind chatter? Or listen to when we enter into silence? How do we discern what is intuition from ego, reasoned thought, or our mental constructs that we all rely on to survive and navigate in this world?
We speak about intuition, feel it and act on it. Sometimes to our benefit and sometimes to our detriment -- we have all suffered from intuition that has been dead wrong. I am not sure if we can pull it apart or define it. Perhaps we fall into a trap when we try to tease out this amorphous thing called "intuition" and define it as something separate.
I don't know. I'm sitting with the metaphor of surfing. We catch a huge wave -- lot's of work to catch that wave -- paddling out, kicking, hoisting ourselves up on the board. Then we ride the wave -- being absolutely in the moment -- timing, balance, and focus. Oh, the joy, fear and exhilaration of the ride!
Sometimes, we can have all of that in place riding our wave and we still crash. So we wait for the next one, and maybe we "intuitively" pass on one, or a couple. We wait; feeling when it's right to catch the next one.
Then we paddle out hard, knowing that this next wave is it, and we ride it for all its worth!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
February 8, 2011
With Age Comes Wisdom~
The following was written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it..
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Juicy thoughts to digest today, tomorrow and the next day!
Thank you for sharing Barbara~
The following was written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it..
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Juicy thoughts to digest today, tomorrow and the next day!
Thank you for sharing Barbara~
Monday, February 7, 2011
February 7, 2011
"Oops"
As some of you may have noticed (and some have commented), I seem to have forgotten February 6, 2011. My apologies.
I'm truly not sure what happened. I wanted to blog, I meant to blog...but by the time I was in the car driving to a Super Bowl Party, I realized I had forgotten to blog!!
Failure~
Even as I write this word -- failure -- I am smiling at the absolute absence of any emotion. Family and old friends will appreciate the growth here. A self-described triple A battery (AAA), translation being "perfectionist", I am basking in the glow of non-guilt, acceptance, and the oops.
Loving-kindness~
Loving kindness is a heart meditation practice taught by the Buddha that begins with oneself. Mindful practice leads to the four qualities of love: friendliness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity. It's hard to be kind to ourselves. Learning to embrace everything that we are and are not with loving-kindness and acceptance is a path that has softened me and my expectations of myself. I find myself being kinder to everyone else too!
In the words of the Buddha:
You can search the ten-fold universe
and not find a single being more worthy
of loving kindness than yourself.
As some of you may have noticed (and some have commented), I seem to have forgotten February 6, 2011. My apologies.
I'm truly not sure what happened. I wanted to blog, I meant to blog...but by the time I was in the car driving to a Super Bowl Party, I realized I had forgotten to blog!!
Failure~
Even as I write this word -- failure -- I am smiling at the absolute absence of any emotion. Family and old friends will appreciate the growth here. A self-described triple A battery (AAA), translation being "perfectionist", I am basking in the glow of non-guilt, acceptance, and the oops.
Loving-kindness~
Loving kindness is a heart meditation practice taught by the Buddha that begins with oneself. Mindful practice leads to the four qualities of love: friendliness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity. It's hard to be kind to ourselves. Learning to embrace everything that we are and are not with loving-kindness and acceptance is a path that has softened me and my expectations of myself. I find myself being kinder to everyone else too!
In the words of the Buddha:
You can search the ten-fold universe
and not find a single being more worthy
of loving kindness than yourself.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
February 5, 2011
Welcome Home~
It feels like I've been away forever; nine days in fact. I couldn't wait to get home to my family and feel the sun on my back.
The welcoming I received filled me with such joy. Red roses and a card, alstramerium fixed in little vases placed in almost every room, a clean house, my daughter Zoe smiling from ear to ear, and my husband, Andy, who just kept hugging me and saying "I missed you".
What a blessing.
Today will be a day of transitioning; of re-integrating back into my life, and simultaneously keepng abreast of mom's progress and supporting my dad in his caregiving role. I am amazed at our capacity to hold both joy and sorrow. Life is bittersweet. Very rarely is it all sweet or all bitter.
It is the holding of the two realities with compassion and openness, and allowing ourselves to flow back and forth, that is the challenge. I watched my mother experience extreme pain and fear one minute, and then flow into a relaxed, calm, smiling state the next. She had forgotten the pain that quickly.
She is my teacher. I am learning from her how to ride this bittersweet wave.
It feels like I've been away forever; nine days in fact. I couldn't wait to get home to my family and feel the sun on my back.
The welcoming I received filled me with such joy. Red roses and a card, alstramerium fixed in little vases placed in almost every room, a clean house, my daughter Zoe smiling from ear to ear, and my husband, Andy, who just kept hugging me and saying "I missed you".
What a blessing.
Today will be a day of transitioning; of re-integrating back into my life, and simultaneously keepng abreast of mom's progress and supporting my dad in his caregiving role. I am amazed at our capacity to hold both joy and sorrow. Life is bittersweet. Very rarely is it all sweet or all bitter.
It is the holding of the two realities with compassion and openness, and allowing ourselves to flow back and forth, that is the challenge. I watched my mother experience extreme pain and fear one minute, and then flow into a relaxed, calm, smiling state the next. She had forgotten the pain that quickly.
She is my teacher. I am learning from her how to ride this bittersweet wave.
Friday, February 4, 2011
February 4, 2011
Red Light , Green Light ~
Remember that game we played as children, Red Light, Green Light? I always liked to be the one calling out Red Light, Green Light and watching my sisters and the neighborhood kids running really fast and then trying to stop on a dime. I liked being in charge!
Most of my life has been spent in the green light. I am on the “go”, a doer, and I enjoyed making things happen and being in positions of leadership. There was not much time spent in the red light – stopped. In the course of my healing journey and learning to be fully present in the moment, I’ve become more aware and appreciative of the yellow light.
The yellow light gives us time to pause; to reflect on the decision that is being made, or to rest in the moment allowing a sense of spaciousness and a feeling of timelessness to occur. I have found that by imagining myself in the yellow light, I am more thoughtful, less reactive and more responsive. It gives me the time to allow other perspectives and possibilities to filter into my consciousness rather than the “assumption” or the “emotion” taking over.
The yellow light can last as long as you want. It is not a time of indecision. The act of “pausing” allows the opportunity for the circumstance or interchange to shift. For example, it has taken me a long time to learn to keep my mouth shut! I don’t need to offer my advice, my opinion or “fix” it – sometimes the best thing for me to do is just listen and allow the other person to connect with their own ability to resolve the issue or move through the emotion.
I still love the green light, and the red one too! But, I find myself spending much more time in the soft, yellow light.
Remember that game we played as children, Red Light, Green Light? I always liked to be the one calling out Red Light, Green Light and watching my sisters and the neighborhood kids running really fast and then trying to stop on a dime. I liked being in charge!
Most of my life has been spent in the green light. I am on the “go”, a doer, and I enjoyed making things happen and being in positions of leadership. There was not much time spent in the red light – stopped. In the course of my healing journey and learning to be fully present in the moment, I’ve become more aware and appreciative of the yellow light.
The yellow light gives us time to pause; to reflect on the decision that is being made, or to rest in the moment allowing a sense of spaciousness and a feeling of timelessness to occur. I have found that by imagining myself in the yellow light, I am more thoughtful, less reactive and more responsive. It gives me the time to allow other perspectives and possibilities to filter into my consciousness rather than the “assumption” or the “emotion” taking over.
The yellow light can last as long as you want. It is not a time of indecision. The act of “pausing” allows the opportunity for the circumstance or interchange to shift. For example, it has taken me a long time to learn to keep my mouth shut! I don’t need to offer my advice, my opinion or “fix” it – sometimes the best thing for me to do is just listen and allow the other person to connect with their own ability to resolve the issue or move through the emotion.
I still love the green light, and the red one too! But, I find myself spending much more time in the soft, yellow light.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February 3, 2011
Patience~
I must admit, I have never been a very patient person. When I was a little girl I loved watching Bewitched; convinced that if I could just twitch my nose like Samantha, I could magically orchestrate my life.
It's funny how impatience sneaks up on you too. I'm riding the wave just fine, in the flow, and then all of a sudden some hidden button is pushed, and I've slipped into the quicksand of impatience.
And we all know, once you're in, it's not easy to pull yourself out!
I am being challenged in this moment as we wait for the ambulance to come and move my mom to rehab. We could not transport yesterday as mom's blood pressure was too high. I'm tired of waiting. I watch myself with amusement as I get up from the chair, walk around, talk to the nurse, go down to the cafeteria for coffee, sit back down again, get up....fully aware of my impatience.
Can we just get going? Where is Samantha and her twitching nose?
I have my bag of tricks at my disposal -- deep breathing, stretching, closing my eyes and meditating...but, I'm way past that point. Wnen I'm in the car, my foot on the accelerator, following the ambulance, I will breath deeply, smile and shout "Thank God!"
I must admit, I have never been a very patient person. When I was a little girl I loved watching Bewitched; convinced that if I could just twitch my nose like Samantha, I could magically orchestrate my life.
It's funny how impatience sneaks up on you too. I'm riding the wave just fine, in the flow, and then all of a sudden some hidden button is pushed, and I've slipped into the quicksand of impatience.
And we all know, once you're in, it's not easy to pull yourself out!
I am being challenged in this moment as we wait for the ambulance to come and move my mom to rehab. We could not transport yesterday as mom's blood pressure was too high. I'm tired of waiting. I watch myself with amusement as I get up from the chair, walk around, talk to the nurse, go down to the cafeteria for coffee, sit back down again, get up....fully aware of my impatience.
Can we just get going? Where is Samantha and her twitching nose?
I have my bag of tricks at my disposal -- deep breathing, stretching, closing my eyes and meditating...but, I'm way past that point. Wnen I'm in the car, my foot on the accelerator, following the ambulance, I will breath deeply, smile and shout "Thank God!"
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
February 2, 2011
Untying the Wolf~
I had the pleasure of listening to a fairytale recently about a little girl and a wolf. This was not Little Red Riding Hood, but an allegory depicting our journey to becoming whole; connecting to our essential nature.
In this tale, the girl is left in the meadow by her father who is hunting, and told not to run into the woods under any circumstances. Of course, she hears a loud noise and runs into the woods, to find a snarling wolf trapped in a snare. He asks her to please release him. ("No, don't, you silly girl. The big, bad wolf will eat you up!" cries out our voice of reason). But, this is a fairytale with layers of meaning, and so the little girl unties the wolf.
He does not eat her, but bestows the gift of "truth" upon her for her courage and kindness. There is more to the story, but I'll stop here.
As most of you have guessed the wolf is a metaphor for our fears: they come in all flavors and often are much "bigger, badder, and meaner" in our own minds than in reality. Our fears will not eat us up, but they sure do feel like it at times. It takes courage to look our fear straight in the eye, and say, "I am going to untie you now". For me, this means, I am going to take a closer look here. Step into the fire and experience the heat, and possible burn.
My truth has been that examining my brokenness is the only way to finding my wholeness. It's painful, that's for damn sure, but the reward is a deeper understanding, acceptance and peace within myself.
Is there a wolf in your woods?
I had the pleasure of listening to a fairytale recently about a little girl and a wolf. This was not Little Red Riding Hood, but an allegory depicting our journey to becoming whole; connecting to our essential nature.
In this tale, the girl is left in the meadow by her father who is hunting, and told not to run into the woods under any circumstances. Of course, she hears a loud noise and runs into the woods, to find a snarling wolf trapped in a snare. He asks her to please release him. ("No, don't, you silly girl. The big, bad wolf will eat you up!" cries out our voice of reason). But, this is a fairytale with layers of meaning, and so the little girl unties the wolf.
He does not eat her, but bestows the gift of "truth" upon her for her courage and kindness. There is more to the story, but I'll stop here.
As most of you have guessed the wolf is a metaphor for our fears: they come in all flavors and often are much "bigger, badder, and meaner" in our own minds than in reality. Our fears will not eat us up, but they sure do feel like it at times. It takes courage to look our fear straight in the eye, and say, "I am going to untie you now". For me, this means, I am going to take a closer look here. Step into the fire and experience the heat, and possible burn.
My truth has been that examining my brokenness is the only way to finding my wholeness. It's painful, that's for damn sure, but the reward is a deeper understanding, acceptance and peace within myself.
Is there a wolf in your woods?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1, 2011
Snow, sleet and a miracle~
My father and I woke to yet another New England snowstorm. This one will apparently be immediately followed by another storm tomorrow, promised to be far worse than the one currently dumping snow. We made it to the hospital early this morning before too much snow had fallen.
Little did we know the miracle that awaited us.
My mother, who had been in such pain last night and unable to say anything even remotely coherent, was asleep when we entered her room. We talked softly to her, held her hands, and waited for her to awaken.
“Good morning sweetheart,” my father said to my mother as she opened her eyes.
She looked at him, “Oh, it’s you,” and a huge smile spread across her face and she turned toward my father with the most loving, expressive eyes, absolutely delighted to see him.
They just stared at each other. Tears filled my father’s eyes as he looked into my mother’s eyes. I had to advert mine as I did not want to interfere with this incredibly tender moment. I knew my father was savoring every moment. I will never forget the way my mother looked at him. She was totally present and beaming like the sun. Then she turned to me in recognition and smiled, holding my hand tight.
The rest of the morning Mom was present, laughing, making funny faces and sounds, speaking intelligible words, and eating. To say this was a night and day difference would be a gross understatement. My father and I were witnessing something so unexpected, so delicious, so unexplainable.
One of God’s miracles.
With assistance, Mom was able to swing her legs over the bed and sit in a chair with minimal pain. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will be able to move her into rehab where she will begin her long journey of recovery. Hopefully, she will walk again.
I am cherishing every moment with her. Holding her hand, rubbing lotion into her skin, stroking her face, singing to her, laughing at the funny faces she is making at my dad – priceless gifts that will remain etched in my memory for the rest of my life.
A special thank you to all who are sending prayers.
My father and I woke to yet another New England snowstorm. This one will apparently be immediately followed by another storm tomorrow, promised to be far worse than the one currently dumping snow. We made it to the hospital early this morning before too much snow had fallen.
Little did we know the miracle that awaited us.
My mother, who had been in such pain last night and unable to say anything even remotely coherent, was asleep when we entered her room. We talked softly to her, held her hands, and waited for her to awaken.
“Good morning sweetheart,” my father said to my mother as she opened her eyes.
She looked at him, “Oh, it’s you,” and a huge smile spread across her face and she turned toward my father with the most loving, expressive eyes, absolutely delighted to see him.
They just stared at each other. Tears filled my father’s eyes as he looked into my mother’s eyes. I had to advert mine as I did not want to interfere with this incredibly tender moment. I knew my father was savoring every moment. I will never forget the way my mother looked at him. She was totally present and beaming like the sun. Then she turned to me in recognition and smiled, holding my hand tight.
The rest of the morning Mom was present, laughing, making funny faces and sounds, speaking intelligible words, and eating. To say this was a night and day difference would be a gross understatement. My father and I were witnessing something so unexpected, so delicious, so unexplainable.
One of God’s miracles.
With assistance, Mom was able to swing her legs over the bed and sit in a chair with minimal pain. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will be able to move her into rehab where she will begin her long journey of recovery. Hopefully, she will walk again.
I am cherishing every moment with her. Holding her hand, rubbing lotion into her skin, stroking her face, singing to her, laughing at the funny faces she is making at my dad – priceless gifts that will remain etched in my memory for the rest of my life.
A special thank you to all who are sending prayers.
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