Intention of the Day

When things don't go according to plan or become uncomfortable, it's easy to get caught up in anger, fear, worry, sadness, or feeling defeated. However, if we take a breath, pause for a moment, and observe things neutrally, we can find a lesson in every situation.

You had a performance review with your boss. You did not meet expectations, and you spent an hour going over what improvements are needed. You may feel sad; ashamed; or angry at yourself, the boss, or the job. You could also see it as a chance to learn how to grow in your job role.

It's perfectly fine to feel badly about undesirable outcomes. Living mindfully is knowing how to let the outcomes eventually empower you. Seeing lots of trash in a pond can create disappointment or sadness about pollution and harm to the environment. It can also be a lesson that a small act (not recycling a plastic bottle) makes a huge impact when done by many people. Therefore, a small contribution you make to a cause you're passionate about does make a big difference.

Whether it's a lesson about ourselves, other people, or about life in general, holding space in between our thoughts and emotions makes the difference between having a bad day and having a learning experience.