Intentions

Wake up and set a doable intention for the day.  That's the guidance from Deborah Schoeberlein in Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness: A Guide for Anyone who Teaches Anything.

Decide to simply pay attention to what you're doing for a few moments while brushing your teeth in the morning, or intend to really savor at least a couple of bites of breakfast.  Schoeberlein also suggests setting one additional intention for later in the school or work day.  For example, when my first class begins I'll consciously take a deep breath before beginning.

'This is too simple or hokey to have any value,' some will say.  O.K.  But from my experience, it really helps.  Since I started reading Schoeberlein's book a few weeks ago, I've been practicing this intention setting.  Keeping the intentions simple, focused, and really within reach is encouraging because I actually do it.  It's a valuable baby step forward in growing awareness.  And it's encouraging motivation to keep at it.

Like New Year's resolutions, our intentions have a tendency towards grandiosity, suggests Schoeberlein.  So her sound advice is to really start small and focused.  Again, my experience affirms her suggestion.  I sometimes unintentionally set myself up for failure by setting massive goals that are tough to achieve.

So if you care to join me, try right now or tomorrow morning setting one or two very specific and manageable intentions for your day.  It might encourage you to do it again.