As seen on www.mylocalhealth.com/total_fitness/living_with_intention

We beckon things to our life through our thoughts, actions and intention. If we set specific intentions for our day, year, finances, career, partnership, or life, think about it and act on it, we are more likely to experience that reality. Motivational speaker and author Wayne Dyer agrees, “Our intention creates our reality.” The process involves taking focused time to come up with a plan and set an intention. It’s my belief that life spent with intention is a far more satisfying journey. When we begin our day anticipating joy, abundance, and love—that is what we receive.

I began this process of defining my life when I was in college.  After a long line of unambitious boyfriends, who never had money to take me out, though were perfectly happy letting me pay for the date, I said, “Enough.” I wrote in my journal, “The next man I date will pay for everything, open my doors, and be as passionate about what he does as I am about fashion design.” Sure enough, six months later, I met a man who fit and exceeded that description. We have been married for twenty-five years. This stuff really works!

Living with intention simply requires planning: designing a life that represents your core values and belief system. We are well served by writing down what we authentically want for ourselves, our job, our significant other, our friends, or our ideal home—make a list, and then, begin the journey.

How do you set an intention? Isn’t this like making a list of goals? First, one has to define the path or set the intention. Then, the goals become the steps along the path. Intentions are written before the goals are set.

Setting intentions:

Think about what is most important. What are your “must haves” in a partner, home, career, week, year, or financial/philanthropic plan? Write it down and place the list in an important part of your home, bedroom or office. If you believe in Feng Shui, this would be the furthest left corner of your space, relative to the entrance. Jot it down in your journal. If you are a visual person, make a collage that represents the things you are intending, like better health, an inspiring job, more money or a supportive partner. You can pull photos off the Internet or cut them out of a magazine. Post the collage where you can see it frequently.

Be very pure in your intentions. For instance, rather than saying, “I want a million dollars.” Phrase it the following way, “I want to make a good living doing what I love to do.”

Spend a moment each day devoted to your well-chosen intentions. Many people create affirmations that reinforce the intentions they have set and begin each day reciting these affirmations, like, “I will do my best today, knowing that I will be richly rewarded for my efforts.”

You are welcome to create a list or collage of your intentions, put it away and forget about it. Over time, these aspects show up, sometimes unnoticed, and become our reality. If you stumble upon the list years later, you will be surprised to find most, if not all, have come true.

Having the power to make things happen like this, is a bit scary. As women, we are not raised to strive for power and be successful, like men are. So, this process may be uncomfortable at first. Start with small things and build up to it. Eventually, this will become a daily practice and your life will be much more fulfilling.

This very simple, yet profound, idea inspired me to help people through clothing design. By putting inspiring words on our bodies, we are beckoning positive energy into our lives, setting an intention with our clothing choices. Each Beckons garment has a discreet intention tag sewn into it. The tags include beautiful words that reflect the yogic lifestyle: joy, strength, wisdom, grace, love, courage, peace, balance, and integrity, beckoning this into the wearer’s life.

Pencil in some time this week to devote to setting intentions and see for yourself how much power you actually have. Take a deep breath and let’s begin with this intention:

“I will authentically define the life that I want for myself, write it down within the next week and then, recognize the wonder of intention.“

Namaste.

Elizabeth Jefferson is a fitness professional working in the San Diego area. She is a certified Pilates instructor with the PhysicalMind Institute and was certified in yoga at the White Lotus Foundation.  In addition to her Pilates and personal training sessions, she also teaches yoga, mat Pilates, aqua fitness, indoor cycling, Zumba, circuit, and total body conditioning classes. This spring she has been busy running half marathons and mastering kettle bell training.

Monique Feil was her photographer.

We have recently added seven chakra malas to our Beckons tool kit. At Beckons we believe color, words, stones, and clothing can be used as tools to improve our lives. To read more about using color as a tool for self improvement, click here.

Sarita, a Nepalese craftswoman, living in Denver, CO has made these beautiful malas for us, based on our desire to have one that represents each of the seven chakras. It is our hope that you will use these to support the chakra that corresponds to the area in your life you want to stimulate.

We will present a series of blog posts that talk about each of the chakras and how the stones and color of the 108 bead malas can support the chakras.

If you are not familiar with malas, a mala is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus, Buddhists and yogis of all religions when meditating, usually made from 108 beads. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, praying or mentally repeating a mantra (meaningful phrase of intention) so that one can focus on the meaning or sound of the mantra rather than counting its repetitions.

Malas are typically made from seeds, wood, bone or semi precious stones. We have chosen to use semi-precious stones to beckon the healing energy of the stones to ourselves. We have created one mala for each of the Chakras so that each person can choose the mala that corresponds to the area of the body that needs support.

When mediating, one mantra repetition is said for each bead while turning the thumb clockwise around each bead. When arriving at the head bead or guru bead, one turns the mala around and then goes back in the opposite direction.

When not meditating you can wear the malas on our wrists like a bracelet or around your neck like a long necklace, currently trending now due to Downton Abbey’s popularity and presentation of early 20th century fashion. We also use them to stimulate an area of our home or workspace to bring change. For instance, if you place the mala intentionally in the far left corner of your office or home, this will activate wealth energy—we can all use this. If you are interested in activating the love energy of your life, place a mala in the far right corner of your bedroom or home.
Why 108 beads? There are many explanations. The number 108 is sacred in many religions. Swami Muktananda explains it perfectly, as presented by destinationom.com, when describing the heart as the source of the infinite and our connection with the divine and God. From the heart there are 108 MAIN nadis (veins) that go from the heart to all the extrimeties and after reciting a mantra 108 times you have purified your body. Go here for more reasons http://www.swamij.com/108.htm.

In 1972, Leo Buscaglia, an author and man I deeply admire, published a small book called Love. In 1984, I read Love, my first self-help book, and have lived by Buscaglia’s ideas of love ever since.

He writes, “It is possible for me, and not unreasonable, to love everyone with equal intensity and still have all the love energy I have ever had. There are a lot of miracles to being a human being, but this is one of the greatest miracles.” (Love, 1972). Meaning, you can love all people and never run out of love or the capacity to love.

February is the month to show people that you appreciate them and that they are special in some way. Here are a few suggestions on how to do that without spending much money: Beckon Yoga Clothing Hearts of Wool

1. Make 3-D hearts out of old clothing. My super talented intern, Maggie Aldworth, created these hearts from old clothes headed for the Goodwill, which she plans to give to each of her friends at school. You can fill them with lavender to be used as a sachet. These will help their high school backpacks smell great.

2. Write a note to someone special that is about the love of or importance of their friendship or support. Remind them how wonderful they are and thank them for their positive, supportive attitude. People do not send cards or letters in the mail much these days. Sending a note via snail mail will have a significant impact.

3. As in the first photo, find a rock (it does not have to be in the shape of a heart) and on it write “you rock,” using a Sharpie. Place the rock somewhere your loved one will find it on Valentine’s Day morning. If you are going to mail it, just use a flat rock. Who wouldn’t love to get that in the mail?

4. Celebrate by putting a chocolate heart (a wee bit materialistic) on your child’s pillow so that they find it when they go to bed that night or in the mailboxes or on desks at work. Teachers do this stuff all the time. I can assure you there is not a place of business where people wouldn’t be thrilled to receive the tiniest reminder that they are special.

5. On a piece of notebook paper, hand write:

You are special because . . . (fill in this blank).

That’s it. You do not even need to include your name. Just make someone’s day by acknowledging them in this small, personal, thoughtful way. Even those people who might not be your favorite in the workplace have some redeeming quality you can celebrate on this special day.

“I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate, it is apathy,” states Buscaglia (Love, 1972.) It seems like we are apathetic about others because we are so busy all the time. A simple act of kindness will remind people that we are grateful they are in our lives.

“What good is love that is not freely given? Love is always an active sharing. If one has love to give, he may impart it to all in the world and he will still have the same love he started with. We never lose anything by sharing it, for nothing is ever solely ours to start with. In fact, love acquires meaning only if it is shared.” (Love, 1972)

Does this seem impossible to you or very unlikely that you will reach out to people in this way? When times are tough and we get frustrated with our lives, this may be the last thing we want to do. However, by sharing love with others we tend to feel much better ourselves. Just do this for one person in your life and see what happens.

Lines and Circles by Micah Springer

Lepakiyo, the leader of this tribe of Samburu People, is masterful at requiring the villagers to gather in a line. To you and me this is a simple formation because we were taught early, as children. Nomadic people are anything but linear. They don’t stand in lines, speak in lines, think in linear fashion. The creativity we recognize in their character is a direct tribute to this fact. However, when being given clothing, and desperately needing it, a line is a necessary construct, a gift from the modern world-one of the few we can offer to such ancient custom and culture. We definitely had to learn the hard way when we were once swarmed by a mob needing shoes, risking their lives to protect their feet.

So, he asks for them to gather and approach one at a time to choose one item. We have spread before them an enticing array of donated jewelry, watches, sunglasses, shoes, and Beckons clothing. What they choose in those crucial moments is a reflection of their desperation, their responsibility and practicality. It’s a virtual display of the myriad expression of human nature and desire. Fortunately, there was something for everyone, whether a packet of beads or a form fitting dress. That is…until tomorrow came and news had spread through the surrounding villages about our donations. People arrived to claim the last of the tourist’s clothing from off our backs, which we were compelled to leave behind, after the reality of disparity, of having and not having. We’re returning to abundance and excess, while most of the Nomads will remain exactly as they are, where they are for their entire lives.

It’s a fascinating world. We contribute our material and they bathe us in spirit. We can offer clothing and shoes to add comfort and protection in an otherwise harsh environment. Our wealth comes full circle and benefits people we have to circumvent the globe to meet. It’s truly a world of lines and circles, and we need both.

Pretty typical and uninspiring. The other problem is that they are not measurable and my goal list is too long to remember on a day-to-day basis. In fact, when setting goals it is essential that they are measurable so that they can be evaluated in the end. If you set out to “try one recipe a month” you will know whether you have achieved that goal. However, “get fit” is less helpful when determining if there is success. A better goal might be to “Lose 10 pounds” or even “trim down so that my clothes no longer feel tight.”

I have always made a goal list because I love this sort of thing and it serves a great purpose. However, once I read the piece about receiving in 2009, mentioned in the previous blog, I discovered that I wanted to approach each year also with an overarching theme to direct my actions through out the year. I then embarked on an “Open to Receive” year, setting an intention to beckon this to my life. Within two weeks I won an iPod at a tradeshow and received a large check from my mother who wanted to contribute to my business. I was expecting something along the lines of “receiving love from others” but was quick to realize how helpful my setting a theme of the year was and opened myself up to receiving anything and everything.Here are some potential themes:

Forgiveness: think Jean Valjean in Les Miserables continuously forgiving Inspector Javert. If he can do it, so can you.

Simplify: get rid of things that weigh you down, step out of the commitments that do not fortify your life.

Get organized: Go through a different room of your house each month and clear out the clutter.

Adventure: take a road trip and stop at all the cool spots along the way.

Listen: no explanation needed. We could all benefit from doing more of this.

Move outside the Box: Take steps in a new direction.

Heritage/Value the past: make your grandmother’s recipes, learn to knit, visit the town you were born in, visit family members and talk about their ancestors and past and record it.

Courage: get a new job, do something you know you need to do but are afraid to take the first step.

Romance: rekindle your relationship with your spouse. Not in a relationship? Write a list of your “must haves” in a partner and let the universe bring that person to you.

Give: Try giving something of yourself one time a month (time, money, attention). Think about friends and family that can really use your help, time and talents.

Open to Receive: Pay attention to kind, helpful things that come your way. It may be as easy as someone holding the door for you or saying, “Can I help in any way?” Take people up on their offer to help out. We do not have to do this alone.  Welcome their kindness. Understand that people show love in different ways.

Strength: This does not have to mean “work out” or “get fit”-though wouldn’t that be great? It might mean defining your belief system and living with integrity. It could be changing up how you eat to better align with a strong body and spirit.

Restraint or Self Control: Stop buying Starbucks and the things that contribute to financial stress. If we took a short break from getting new things, it would be amazing how long it would take us to eat through our cupboards, freezer and refrigerator or wear out our clothes. What about eliminating one thing for each month of the year like eating sugar, eating out, buying new clothes or shoes, drinking caffeine, high-priced coffee drinks, or alcohol?

Be: Perhaps this year you need to stop trying so hard. You might want to just do your best, appreciate what you have and who you are and know that you are right where you should be. Stop being so hard on yourself and just be in a place of gratefulness. A wise friend of mine recognized that everyone in her family is in turmoil. Her husband is changing jobs, one daughter is leaving for college, the other just finished college and is job hunting. She is choosing to “be” while everyone else is in transition.

I will close with . . .

Grateful: We all need to have this theme as a life theme, not just a year theme. When we focus on all that we have rather than what we do not, we are much happier. I have read and often heard that compared to any time in history, we live in the safest, most peaceful time (CNN video about this idea.) Women have more advantages and freedoms than ever. This we can be grateful for.

Spend a moment before January ends choosing a theme for your year. Let this theme direct your choices and actions. Put this word on your steering wheel, bathroom mirror or refrigerator as a constant reminder and live with intention, beckoning this to your life.

Thank you for sharing this sweet photo with us. We always love to see the faces of our customers and hear your kind words. Check out Emily at www.yogaroom.org.

Cream together:

• ½ cup butter (no substitutions)
• ¾ cup all-natural peanut butter

Add to the above:

•  1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbs. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Add dry ingredients to the above mixture:

• 1 ½ cup flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt

The mixture should stick together pretty well and pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it does not, add a touch more flour so that you can easily work with the dough.

Roll the dough into balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 365 degrees for 10 minutes or until cracks form on the top of the cookies.

Immediately place one Hershey’s Chocolate Kiss in the center of each cookie while they are still warm.

Share with others.

During the holidays kids need several things like a new outfit and shoes for the school program or to wear to church on Christmas Day. We would simply place a note in the box that read, “Today we shop for a new Christmas outfit.” There is always a great holiday movie that comes out that you will be taking your kids to anyway. “Going to the movies,” would be in one box. We always provide one awesome Christmas-themed video and a book among the 24 days. Lastly, on Christmas Eve the note sent them on a scavenger hunt to find their new pajamas to wear on this special night. Basically, the treasures in the box are things you would do or purchase with or without an advent calendar.

To make it extra special, we included activities like “Today, let’s bake cookies.” or “Let’s do something special for Dad today.”

All 24 days preceding Christmas my kids raced to the advent calendar each morning, eager to see what treasure was awaiting them.

Here’s how:

This DIY project is simple and uses up old greeting cards so that they do not end up in the landfill. Simply take 24 small match boxes and cover them with old greeting cards (preferably those you received last year). Arrange the match boxes in the tree-shaped arrangement as pictured in the first photo, glue them to a felt backing, hang it on a dowel and use ribbon to hang it on the wall.

When covering the match boxes, remember to only cover the main box sides so that the inner box can slide out to reveal the treasure inside. Tacky Glue works best when wrapping the greeting card around the match box. Also, you have to score the paper to fit nicely around the box. All 24 boxes must have the design going in the proper direction.

Once the boxes are glued on to the felt backing, use sparkle glue to write numbers 1 to 24 beginning at the bottom left box and ending at the top with 24.

Each box is filled with a treasure, note, instructions, or candy. One dear friend fills the calendar with activities for each day rather than candy.  We fill ours with a combination of activities, necessities, gifts and candy.  Here is a list of some of our favorites:

• A coupon to see a movie or go out for ice cream.
• A Christmas DVD or book to add to our holiday collection. (Charlie Brown Christmas for instance).
• A Christmas ornament to hang on the tree for the day we plan to get our tree. Kids will begin a collection of ornaments they can take when they leave for college.
• A note that says, “Let’s make cookies.”
• A coupon for the child’s favorite meal.
• A new outfit to be worn during the holidays (they need this anyway).
• A note saying, “Today we are going to give to the poor.”
• Notes reminding children of the true meaning of Christmas.
• An activity that makes Dad feel special.
• And most importantly…a pair of special pajamas for Christmas Eve.

When the items are too big to fit in the box, we put a note in the box that sends the kids on a little hunt around the house to find their gift.  I hide all the gifts on December 1^st. The kids have never found them early–but they know they are around somewhere. Be careful to not go overboard on the gifts or else the kids will learn the wrong lesson and not appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.

Advent Calendar Instructions to Read to the Children

Hang the advent calendar in a visible, easily accessible place in your house.  Begin with box 1 on December 1^st.  Each day you will find a treasure to play with or eat, sometimes both.  While providing a wonderful countdown to the great holiday of Christmas, this calendar teaches you to be patient and wait for each individual day to open the boxes.  No fair opening them early or peeking ahead.  When there are two or more children you need to take turns opening the boxes.  If there are an uneven number of items in the box (heaven forbid) you need to give the extras to your mom or dad and never fight over what is there or you may lose the privilege of having this wonderful calendar.  Have fun and enjoy!

We hope that you will treasure this holiday tradition and pass it on to others.

Warning: if you do this once for your children, you will not be able to stop the tradition until they are in college and it gets more expensive as they get older.