After I received the diagnoses of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, I decided I wasn’t going to let them stop me. So, each new year I’d make a resolution that this was the year I was going to beat both of these conditions. But as the year progressed, and the symptoms overwhelmed me, my faith wavered. I wondered if my resolutions would ever work.
I judged my doctors: their support didn’t create the changes I desired. I judged myself: something must be wrong with me to not be able to make my resolution “come true.” Then I realized, although my resolution was focused on change, it was all about something that was “wrong” with me. When I didn’t accomplish what I set out to do, I felt like a failure. So I stopped making new year’s resolutions.
And I started seeking other ways to inspire myself without the “wrongness” and judgments of resolutions.
I listened to Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, “The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way.” As Dr. Dyer states, “our intentions create our reality.” As I understood it, nothing happens without first having intention.
An intention is an objective that guides our actions. It is self-directed and purposeful, with room to change and adapt to circumstances. An intention is more about doing what you want to do. It’s also attainable, taking into account the bigger picture of who you want to be and the steps necessary to get there. Intentions are a commitment to align our actions with our values and our purpose – they reflect who we are as people and make us feel energized, fulfilled and in balance.
Intentions felt much more inspiring to me than resolutions, so I began to create my own. My first New Year’s intention was to adopt a positive attitude. This was inspired by another piece of Wayne Dyer’s wisdom that attitude is everything, and a positive one gives you the power to create your reality.
I brainstormed with my coach all different ways to be positive. I created a list and posted it in my house. Then I’d look at it every day and use one of those ideas to tap into a positive attitude. For example, I listened to uplifting music or watched a comedy, and I started a gratitude journal.
At first it was difficult to come up with daily entries for my gratitude journal, but after using my positivity list every day for a week it became easier to be grateful. After a few weeks I felt more optimistic about my ability to take charge of my symptoms. And over time I began to feel less pain and more consistent energy.
Creating intentions has changed everything for me! I am in a wonderful place where I have freedom from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. And now I can reflect on what new intentions I’ll make happen in 2017…because “our intentions create our reality.”
What’s your 2017 intention when it comes to fibromyalgia?
It was so valuable for me to have a coach to partner with and help me follow through on living my intentions. This is why I am offering a complimentary 60-minute “Take Back Your Life” Consultation to you, to see how I can support you in making and living your intentions.
Click here to claim your spot now.
Give yourself the gift of support in 2017!
Whitney
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