What is the Diff between a Goal and an Intention? Does it Matter? Yes...Because....DINNER!

Goals are about doing, involve a sequence of actions, and have a set criteria for completion in the future.

Intentions are about being, involve awareness, and happen in the now.

Striving and frustration often surround our goals, but when we create goals that arise out of intentions, we have the opportunity to turn that around.

I set what I thought was a a simple goal for myself: to make a healthy, inviting dinner twice per week for myself and my husband. Tuesday was one of the days.  Absorbed in writing, the afternoon evaporating into evening, and I didn't want to stop.

Glancing at the clock, I mentally altered the menu several times to make dinner preparations easier.  Each alteration also diminished the health quality; frozen vegetables replacing fresh, pasta replacing brown rice.  Around 5:00,  I considered getting some take out.  "How could you even consider making dinner, when you have so much to accomplish!" My inner workaholic was all for staying at the desk.

Just as that possibility was crossing my mind, Michael called...and, as we chatted about the day, he suggested picking something up for dinner. He really is a nice guy, supportive and thoughtful.

I pictured us taking the food out of the containers and reheating it the microwave. Soggy vegetables and smelly, over cooked fish. Ugh!

Then I called to mind a vision of bright green firm, steamed broccoli, orange salmon glistening with coconut oil, and a mound of brown rice dotted with cashews and pomegranate seeds. Two glasses of cold Chardonnay. Michael's smiling face. Grace before dinner, and a toast to today.  My heart felt full.

The dinner goal arose out of two of my intentions: to eat healthy and to make time for us to be together twice a week.  Motivated by my intentions, I was  took the steps necessary to achieve my goal!

 xo Lauren