What Does it Mean to Lead with Intention?
Sometimes people do not realize how much pressure they put on themselves to live a certain way, even in recovery. For those with drug addiction, the intention starts with the intentional choice to enter a drug rehabilitation center. This is an intentional first step that provides the foundation for recovery and a life of happiness. This is the same for those with alcoholism. The initial decision to enter an alcohol rehab can set the stage for success in recovery. Personal growth and change are different for everyone but pausing and asking yourself what you want for your life can be a good place to start. Leading with intention requires time and dedication but it can be done.
Intention Defined
An intention is a statement that directs attention towards a goal. Intentions help guide thoughts and actions towards goals. They are powerful ways to direction actions, which become habits, which create character, which shape life in general. This is why it is key to be aware of intention in recovery, and shift them if they are not serving you well. To discover the best intention, listen to intuition. Intention is correlated with the heart’s longing in yoga. It can be easier to to listen to the addiction voice rather than the one that says lead with integrity, peace, and a heart that serves to heal in recovery.
Ripple Impact
An amazing element of intention can be applied to more than one area of life. It begins by practicing intention in recovery. This means being positive, focusing on relationships, and following your instinct to do the right thing for yourself. When you put yourself above all else, you are focusing on becoming a loving person, making plans to support healing, and putting yourself in a position to be loving and kind to yourself no matter what.
In recovery, they talk about the selfishness of alcoholics and drug addicts. It is important to remember that while the disease might be characterized by selfishness, if you don’t put yourself and your recovery first, you will not be able to maintain sobriety. The daily, intentional decision to focus on your recovery is not selfish. Having a strong foundation for recovery will ripple into other areas of your life and have a positive impact.
Intention in Recovery
The best intention for recovery today is to be present for you. Some simple ways to tap into this inner knowing and intention can include the following exercisesf:
- Find a comfortable seat or lie down. Get quiet and still. Take five deep breaths. On the exhale, allow tension to release into the earth
- Place attention on the heart space. Imagine breathing into the heart and exhaling out
- Ask what your intention is in recovery and how you can be more gentle with yourself
- Open your eyes and pick up your pen. Write down intentions that resonate with you
- Commit to showing up in service of the intention and let it guide choices, thoughts, and actions
The key is not to let anyone else tell you what is or is not healing for you in recovery. The focus and intention for you will be different than someone else’s, but always remain aligned with the goal that recovery comes first, and everything else falls in line behind that.
The Last Resort provides a safe, supportive environment for men in a retreat-like setting. Nature is an important component of recovery and healing. We strive to provide a place of enrichment that cultivates the inner as well as the outer journey of recovery. However you find your way to the Last Resort, we endeavor to provide a haven where you can journey through recovery, feeling like your life and story have meaning and a purpose. Contact us now!