Build a Future or Deconstruct a Past?
In 2018, one of my intentions is to enhance my daily mindfulness practice. One way I am doing that is by using the Calm app. I have been using the free version for over a year, but this year, I am trying out the premium subscription. So far, I am very happy with the service. Specifically, the Daily Calm has been wonderful.
Daily Calm is a 10 minute meditation exercise that focuses on a particular message. Yesterday's (January 3) was about the difference between setting resolutions and intentions. Essentially, the difference is in how you treat yourself when you fall short. With resolutions, failing to follow through usually leads to giving up. However, with intentions, falling short allows you to forgive yourself and move forward without judgment. This is very similar to the advice I offered in my previous post about flexible goals.
Forgiveness is vital. The setting of intentions, or goals with flexibility built in, allows you to focus on moving forward instead of battling with doubt over the past. There is a degree of freedom that comes with acceptance. It frees you to reflect clearly on how to improve your process in order to achieve better results. Acceptance builds space for growth mindsets to flourish. Intentions and flexible goals provide clarity for creative thinking to emerge.
Daily Calm is a 10 minute meditation exercise that focuses on a particular message. Yesterday's (January 3) was about the difference between setting resolutions and intentions. Essentially, the difference is in how you treat yourself when you fall short. With resolutions, failing to follow through usually leads to giving up. However, with intentions, falling short allows you to forgive yourself and move forward without judgment. This is very similar to the advice I offered in my previous post about flexible goals.
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| Daily Calm message for January 3, 2018 |
We have control over our attitudes and efforts. We can choose to focus on our pasts harshly and get stuck in a cycle of self-doubt or we can look to our futures with intentions and take action to realize our next better versions of ourselves.
The choice is ours to make.
I choose to build a future rather than deconstruct a past.
