As we move into 2011, some of us begin thinking about or acting upon new intentions. One of the intentions I have this year is to practice appreciating what I have in my life as a foundation for setting intentions and manifesting my desires.
The Spirit of Yes And teaches us to acknowledge, appreciate and accept what is here in this moment (YES), and then to build upon it in creative ways (AND). Actualizing our intentions is more possible when we first appreciate what we have in our life now. By spending time daily acknowledging the good in your life, you are creating a strong foundation of abundance into which you can plant your seeds of intention.
There is a saying that what you focus on you create. When we are not appreciating the good in our life now, our foundation for setting intentions is one of lack and unhappiness. Our intentions become fueled by negative emotions, generated from a focus on what we don’t want. We are running away from our current reality, while continuing to manifest what we do not want.
Appreciating the here and now of our life slows us down and grounds us into our body. It takes us away from fight and flight, away from any non-resistance to even those circumstances that are uncomfortable. We look more deeply into what life is presenting to us and recognize that within every circumstance there is an opportunity to grow, learn, and expand in new ways.
“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t have to like it… it’s just easier if you do.”
~ Byron Katie
Perhaps an unhappy relationship is there to teach you what you really do want in a relationship. Maybe that controlling boss is forcing you to speak your truth for the first time. And maybe that physical illness is causing you to slow down, reflect on life and redirect you to more harmonious living. When we no longer resist life circumstances and instead start looking for things to appreciate in them, we open to the gifts they have to offer.
Appreciation Exercise:
For five minutes first thing in the morning and last thing at night, close your eyes and send waves of appreciation to things and circumstances in your life. Start with things that are easy and that we often take for granted, like your mattress, pillow, lamp, fridge etc. We take for granted that our food is kept fresh by an amazing machine that has been ingeniously created for us. When you are ready, start finding things to appreciate in other areas of your life, like the new boyfriend your daughter is now dating that you have resisted. Find something to appreciate about him, even if it’s just the colour of his hair.
As you do this more you may find it become easier, discover more things to appreciate, and enjoy it so much that you want to go beyond five minutes. And most importantly, you will feel good!
Alternative version: You can also do this through journalling.
Aligning without Agreeing
The Spirit of Yes And calls us to live in alignment with the flow of life. When we resist life, we move out of alignment not only with life, but with our essential Self, and find it harder to make positive changes. When we appreciate life, we move into alignment and open to possibilities.
Remember that YES does not mean to agree or condone. It is about aligning without agreeing, appreciating without condoning. We remain open while still accepting the diversity of life, and trusting that through the infinite diversity we create endless possibility.