A New Year: Setting Successful Intentions for 2021

/

The old custom of making New Year's resolutions serves the purpose of being mindful of what has been and envisioning new beginnings with the transition to a new year.  However, there is a way to make your new beginning more successful.  In Sanskrit the word Sankalpa means vow, vow to self.  When we mindfully set a new Sankalpa we are aligning with our highest self and our highest good.  The Sankalpa originates in a heartfelt desire, and is then affirmed as an intention.  This takes your new resolve to a deeper level, one more likely to succeed because it is a commitment of your true self to your self.  Being directed by your heartfelt desire garners your full commitment and is more likely to succeed.  For example, a resolution to exercise more is frequently expressed in January.  Below I will describe how to go about setting an intention in this area that is more likely to succeed.

  1. Sit in stillness and draw your attention within.  Notice the movement of the breath in the body, following the inhale and the exhale.

  2. After a few breaths bring your attention to the center of the chest, the heart center, and invite yourself to become aware of your heartfelt desire.  That could be something such as, I am healthy and fit, I make healthy choices daily.  

  3. Affirm this intention to your self as if it is already present.  Allow to come to mind images of your self making the healthy choices that result in being healthy and fit. 

  4. Repeat this heart centered intention daily to reinforce and this is likely to help you experience the changes you want for your self.

Your heart's desire may be about relationships, or your work, or your life's purpose.   Here are a few examples to help get you started:

I experience love and connection in relationships.

I use my skills and talents in fulfilling work.

I am aware of my values and manifest them purposefully.

These more general heartfelt desires can be broken into specific intentions that lead to fulfillment.  For example, I make time to be fully present in relationships that would lead to greater love and connection. 

Happy New Year and best wishes for fulfilling your heartfelt desires.