August Attentions -And Why I Use Attention Vs Intension

    August is here and as they say “time passes when your having fun”. With the days spent by the pool trying to escape the heat, cool drinks (yes to another rosé), and get togethers with friends that always lead to late nights outside reminiscing and marveling at the stars. Before you know it, all of the fun times together have lead to the inevitably sped up calendar and a conclusion of summer. 

    So with the ending of July, like other months, I took time to make a list of my Attentions. Yes I meant Attention Vs Intension. Why I chose the varying of words is attention is what I am giving this list while I make it but also the focus of things i’m writing down all pertains to where, what, and how I want to give myself attention that month.

    Attention is about caring and focusing on what matters in that moment or period of time. Attention I feel also calls for love, kindness, planning and patience. These are all qualities I want to apply to myself with the intent of growing unconditional love to me (ugh I dislike using “Myself” so annoying, anyone else feel me?). With great care I hope to share that same unconditional love with all. 

    I try to keep my list and list making simple and attainable. Another practice I've included when making my monthly list is to do it shortly after I have meditated or have had a chance to tune in breathe and listen to myself tune into where I need to show myself some love and care. 

    So I would like to take a pause here and make it known that showing myself consideration, unconditional love and care is still a work in progress and most likely a life-long project. It has taken years and getting my ass/health kicked for this message to sink in. I do find that I put myself last on my to-do list when schedule or life is busy (which seems like always). My natural inclination to put others first is well intentioned but flawed I have seen first hand how this isn’t helpful not to me, my family or other commitments. Not to sound like a cliché but daily meditation has helped with show me how vital it is for me to stop, listen and just be still. Everything gets done. It might not get done at the exact time when I planned that it might. Again this is another lesson for me in letting go and knowing the universe has my back with a space and time for everything.

    I also like to keep my monthly Attentions mostly pertaining to me and my personal goals. This helps with keeping my attention (haha). Like most people with my never ending to-do list, to add more task or outside objectives is not helpful and just bombards and defeats my point of making the list. Like I said self care is an evolving and intentionally cultivated practice that I am trying to develop in… So just keeping my list to more concise and attainable, self love actions helps keep this ritual going monthly and have it be useful.

    I hope this dialog was helpful in how I set goals for the month. Please let me know in the comments below if you found this helpful and please share what tips & tricks you use for your monthly goals. Have a wonderful month! 

August Attentions: Please don't judge my hand writing to harshly haha (toddler interuptions)