Of Turbulence & Intentions

“This is your Captain speaking,” the voice crackled. “We’re expecting an extended period of turbulence ahead. For your safety, please remain in your seats with your seatbelts firmly fastened.”

We were about 30 minutes into a 7 hour flight. 

I’m not an enthusiastic flyer.

When the flight attendants strapped themselves into their jump seats, I knew it wasn’t going to be good. My chest tightened. All around me, passengers continued thumbing through their phones or scrolling the seat back’s touch screen full of movies. Why weren’t they nervous like me? Even my husband seated next to me seemed oblivious to my mounting panic. 

I stared at the attendants for any warning signs. My stomach hurled with every bump. Mashed-up prayers tossed about my mind like socks in a frontload washer.

Ourfatherwhoartinheavenhallowedbethynamethykindgomcomethywillbedone onearthasitisinheavenHailMaryfullofgracetheLordiswiththee MatthewMarkLukeandJohnblessthebedIlayupon 

After more than an hour of white-knuckled bouncing, shaking, and dipping through the sky, a word popped into my head. Ease. It’s my intention word for 2023.

Despite nausea and nervousness, ease entered my thoughts. It challenged the crazed nonsensical prayer party. It passed an olive branch of peace to my tumbling stomach. 

My intention wisely stepped forward and asked my bubbling-cauldron-of-fear self, “What can you do in this moment to bring ease?”

Smart question.

Turns out, there was a lot. 

• I felt the tightness of my clenched jaw and softened it. 
• I recognized my shallow breathing and deepened it. 
• I noticed my dry mouth and took slow, steady sips of water. 
• I realized the discomfort in my sitting position and stretched my tight muscles.

My 2023 intention statement reads, “I am the possibility of ease.” Having that reminder surface while feeling scared, anxious and in full-blown unease steadied me tremendously. It didn’t stop the turbulence, but it softened my reaction to it.

I share this story as reminder of our intentions’ power. When thoughtfully selected, they’re more than “just a word” for January. Intentions guide us. But they aren’t going to keep asking us to dance if we always say no. They are only as active as we allow. While journal entries, vision boards, word bracelets or post-it reminders may keep our intentions visible, are we practicing them? Living them? Applying them in the moment?  That’s where the real growth and magic occurs.

(You know, kinda like when you are an anxious flyer and turbulence hits. “You’re the possibility of ease? Let’s see how you do on a wild, transatlantic flight!” Yep, kinda like that.) 

What were you thinking of in January? What did you intend to attract? Were you the possibility of Trust? Forgiveness? Courage? Balance? Letting Go? Don’t dismiss its invitation. It will challenge you to learn and grow. 

If it feels like time for a refresh, I invite you to ponder the following questions

1. What prompted you to select this intention?
2. What has/hasn’t worked…and why is that?
3. Identify aspects of your life where this intention is still needed. Invest in its awareness in your life. How can you reactivate it and recommit to it?

I can’t promise ‘ease’ will always come to me, just as I can’t know how your intentions will look in your life. Turbulence hits. Sometimes we’re warned of its approach; sometimes it’s a surprise.  That’s living.  Yet spending a little time reconnecting with your January intention may just reignite your relationship.

If you’ve forgetton what that intention business was even about, welcome it back into your daily awareness. See what it has to show you. Be curious. Invite it to be your guide. Perhaps it has some surprises for you in the days ahead.