Considering intentions can be oriented either toward the future or the past. Often times, considering past intentions only leads to regret–feeling like you didn’t do or accomplish what you set out to do. I prefer to think of intentions primarily in the future tense: goals, objectives, expectations for myself. It is then an exercise in self-acceptance and forgiveness to adjust as the future comes to pass.
At this moment, I am at a cusp. Soon my Future (capital F) will meet my present; I will graduate from college, I will have written a thesis, I will be traveling to Europe as a probably stereotypical post-college ritual, I will start a really fun job, I will move to a new city, and on and on. I also have no idea where I’m going to live, am not quite sure what it means to have ten years of loan payments, and I often feel like a total imposter, in disbelief of all of the above. The best way I can think to use this blogging space is to set some intentions for myself. As always, I make no claim that these intentions will surely come to fruition–intentions hardly ever do in the way we intend. (Something about how the road to hell is paved with them!) An intention is less binding that a resolution, and more tangible than a dream; acting flexibly with intention can make all the difference, so here goes.
As I graduate and continue in unknown directions, I intend to…
Be a lifelong learner. I will continue to take risks and opportunities to learn and think and reconsider. Of the many things I’ve gained in these last four years, I have an acute awareness of all I do not know. I have started building tracks for a thousand trains of thought, and that work is never done. I intend to keep building and revising and enjoying the ride.
Be a lifelong teacher. I genuinely believe one of the best parts of learning is sharing knowledge with others. At this moment, I am looking at teaching as a profession, making this intention easy to pursue in some ways. I intend to share knowledge even when it is challenging and would be easier not to.
Be a maker. I will put my creative energy to good use in all sorts of ways, from making art and crafts to working in gardens or cooking meals. My love of making and creating has been on the backburner for the last few years, and part of my intention to learn and share is to learn how to be better at having hobbies.
Maintain the energy I feel right now to do anything and everything! I refuse to be a jaded environmental studies major. I am a glittering glowing ball of sunshine and enthusiasm and I will surround myself with people who want to share that. We will mutually support each other in positive ways that together will resist the pit of gloom and doom that is so easy to sink into. We will take on challenges and be excited about critical thinking, addressing big problems, and being humble students and collaborators of the world.
I could go on, but there is a point where too many intentions becomes confining rather than guiding. So for now, I will summarize these as staying true to the self that I have worked so hard to get to know. Oh, and have a freaking blast while doing it of course!!
It seems we’re all at the edge of something– our graduating seniors, of course, or as Ariel talks about, maybe even the edge where intention and impact meet. What is your intention as you approach the brink of something new?
p.s. The featured image is a photo I took in the parking lot the other day. I know! Wowza. So stunning.