We set intentions starting the moment we wake up. New to-dos replace the ones that we marked off the list yesterday. Stop by the bank, return that phone call, get groceries, pay the bills. The list never ends. Each day begins with the best of intentions to get things done. However, seldom do we fall asleep at night having completed every task. The same discrepancy lies between the acts of kindness we intend to perform and the good we actually do in the world.
It all comes down to action. We will never get the results we want without action. The refrigerator won’t be filled and the bills won’t get paid unless we actually do something. This is true in our spiritual endeavors as well. No matter how earnestly we wish to make a difference in the world, we can’t create change unless we make a move.
How do we go about turning our intentions into actions? Start by making a plan. Whether you’re baking a casserole for a friend in mourning or launching a non-profit organization, having a plan in mind increases the chances that you will see a project to the end. Obstacles and unexpected challenges will inevitably pop up along the way, causing us to make a detour or change the plan entirely. Still, by starting with a plan to get you from A to B, we are far more likely to get back on course and continue on when we encounter something unexpected.
Once you have a plan for reaching a goal, identify all the smaller, more attainable steps along the way. Focus on one single act you wish to accomplish first. Set the larger goal aside for the moment. For example, a mission to help at-risk teens may feel too large a task to take on. Where does one even begin?
A single goal with a single action is the best place to start. Perhaps, you invest 30 minutes in an internet search for organizations in your area that are seeking volunteers. Once you take a first step, you’ll feel ready for the next step. Even tiny actions in the right direction can open wide channels of Light in the world. “Every action we take opens or closes celestial gates of courage and charity, mercy and love, and every other positive quality,” says Michael Berg. “Our actions directly control their manifestation in the world.”
Also, keep the impetus for your intentions in mind. Do you wish to help others? To bring joy or comfort to someone struggling? The reasons why you want to take on any action or project are significant. When you stay focused on the “why” behind your desires you’ll be more likely to follow through.
Remember, the Light is always on our side when we want to do good in the world. It will assist our greatest intentions. “Once a person decides to do the right thing—to do whatever it takes to connect to the Light of the Creator—miracles will occur to support that person,” says Michael Berg. Of course, it’s our responsibility to transform our good intentions into actions that will create change for the better. Now is the time to act; whatever desires, passions, or projects speak to you, set your intention and take the first step.
