“Our intention creates our reality.” ~Wayne Dyer
Words matter. They have an imprint on them, a richness of meaning that is unstated but understood. So it is very important that we use words correctly. By “correctly” I don’t mean correct in a moral sense but rather in a communicative sense. If the point of a communication is to be understood, then we must make proper use of words and use the words that are proper so as to get our point across.
Some words that are rich with meaning are: want, need, desire, and intent. The first three can be dangerous to use because of their implications. For instance, if I say, “I want a cracker”, the meaning may very well be that I am in want of a cracker. By so stating I am manifesting a condition of want. The same thing happens if I say, “I need a cracker”. I manifest a state of need. The same with desire. The end in each case is a state of want, a state of need, or a state of desire. They are already complete. In fact, if I get a cracker I actually lose my stated condition because I am no longer in want or need of a cracker.
Intent is a different game. When I intend something, it is incomplete until it is fulfilled. That lack of completion is compelling and it drives an outcome. I can be in want forever but an intention must wrap up. So how do we apply this? I might say, “I intend to get a cracker”. The quality of my intent will now be demonstrated by how much I am willing to do to turn my intent into reality. Am I willing to get off the couch? Walk to the kitchen? Drive to the store? Pay someone for a box of crackers? Invent a new kind of cracker?
“Here’s why you aren’t getting what you want or even what you need:” click to tweet
Well-known self-help gurus like Anthony Robbins have become famous, wealthy, and influential by teaching millions of people that the language you use is one of the key factors in the life you create. So wean yourself off of wanting, needing, and desiring. Move toward intending as your “go-to” state. Let us know how applying this lesson progresses for you and what you learn along the way by leaving a comment below.
Photo credit: Sarah G…
This sounded great but it has been a lot harder to do that I expected. I must really be attached to “want” and “need”! Still, intention seems like it will be a lot better. I’m working on it!
Very good point! Can you give a few more examples? I work with affirmations a lot and am looking to refine the ones I am currently using. do you think that stating intent in affirmations would be beneficial (as opposed to stating a ‘done deal’)?
You just inspired my next blog post. 😉 Let me give you the abbreviated answer right here. If you can state an affirmation as a done deal with integrity, by all means do. The problem is sometimes an affirmation like “I drive a smokin’ hot red Porsche” doesn’t feel genuine. You must be aware of your own reaction to the affirmation. In that case, “I intend to drive a smokin’ hot Porsche” will be better for you. One day, you will wake up and realize you can lose the “intend to”. Now you are on your way.
It’s because need, want and desire are lust which is a low energy state and repels. “I allow myself to have,” “I let myself receive” are statements that move out of lust and let the thing come to you. See what it is about the thing that you don’t want. If you’re not getting the cracker, what is it about the cracker that you don’t want? What are the disadvantages of having the cracker? When you are aware of them, then you might decide it’s ok to have the cracker. When you decide that you get the cracker. If you want it and you’re not getting it, lust, you may not want it but be unaware of the not wanting, so blocking it from coming to you.
This is the problem and the promise of language. Lust is a great way to encapsulate the concept.
Thank you for this post! This is really inspiring, Kenneth. Anyway, I found a related website that you might be interested in. It’s about what words can reveal about you. Check it out: http://humangram.com/5-shocking-truths-about-what-your-words-can-reveal