The dawning of a new year inevitably brings with it reflection and the setting of new intentions for the coming year. I prefer intentions over resolutions, as intentions focus on what you want to manifest in your life, not what you want to avoid. Setting an intention is “an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.” [Dictionary.com]. You can set an intention to travel, to attract more abundance, to practice yoga, or to simply say ‘yes’ to life. No matter what you desire, know that whatever is in your heart has come forth at the perfect time for you to intend it into reality.

Setting intentions is like writing a movie script with you as the lead. Perhaps the best thing about intentions is that you get to daydream your life to be exactly how you desire. How fun is that? Do you intend to take a culinary tour of Tuscany this year? Start daydreaming about what your trip will look like, from the warm Italian sun on your face, to the smell of the food, to the taste of the wine. Create a vision board or write down your intentions with as much detail as you can. The vision board you create or the “script” you write should be one that makes your heart smile and gets you excited for what is to come. Whether you create a vision board or write out your script, refer back to them often, feeling the joy in the reality of your intentions.

Once your story is written, take inspired action. Your intentions will not magically manifest without inspired action. If you set an intention to become an artist, start practicing your art, learn how to play the piano or write that book–no matter what. Want to meet someone? Get out of the house and go to a bookstore, or go hiking, or attend a community event and keep your eyes and more importantly, your heart, fearlessly open to receive and accept another. Taking small steps of inspired action and feeling the joy in doing so go a long way in making your dreams a reality. Pursuing your intended reality with inspired action will fill you with immense joy and openness to what is, and that joy, excitement and high vibrational energy will spill over into all areas of your life, making the journey as fulfilling and beautiful as the discrete intention.

Be grateful for the life you want to have. For the same reason, when you express gratitude for your story as you write it, you are validating it in your consciousness, and validating your innate right to create this story–your life–as most brings you happiness and joy.

If you want to really enjoy your life, you must live actively, not passively. You must intend to call in people, things and experiences that you know in your intuitive mind~your ‘knower’~ will make you happy. You must express gratitude every day. It is never too late to write (or re-write) your script, for it will lead you on a path to loving every part of your life–as it is, as it was and as it will be.