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April 12, 2011

Good Intentions

Are good intentions a waste of time?

I don't think so.

For me, thinking about doing something is the first step. I walk all around it in my head like a new dance step. It might take several turns on the dance floor to make the right moves, so in my head a smooth move is the result of the mental practice.

Trying something new takes courage. Making positive changes can be "ouchy". Uncomfortable.

Stepping out of the comfort zone is taking the first step. Sometimes it is a new adventure. Occasionally taking that first step leads to amazing growth and wellness. It all began with a thought, then became a good intention that morphed into a healthy change.


Drawing found on Google.

37 comments:

Ms. A said...

Good intentions are a great first step, it's the second step I have problems with.

Shadow said...

amen to that! you are spot on!!!

Dave King said...

I do exactly that, though I wouldn't have expressed half as well. Superb post.

Rock Chef said...

Good intentions are great - just be aware that there are people who will take advantage...

Brian Miller said...

yeah, i hear you...a little thought, a little intentionality...next thing you know...but it does take change and that can be painful

the walking man said...

I rarely think about good or evil. I just act and try to do what's right in the moment and if it works out well for all concerned then cool. If not..fuck it I tried with the hope that it would work out to the best possible outcome for all concerned.

Be Well

CiCi said...

Ms.A, yes, moving a thought to a deed can be difficult.

Shadow, Thanks. Glad to see you posting again.

Dave, Yes you would.

RC, I have had people like that in my life and I understand what you are saying.

Brian, Sometimes fear can hold us back from making change.

walking man, I know what you are saying. Thanks for stopping by.

Betty W said...

Too bad a good intention does not make it happen. I´m thinking of dieting again, but just thinking about it does me no good. It is the "acting upon" it that will give me the result. In my case....so hard to do!

Jeanie said...

I love the imagery of the dance steps in your head. I fear that my good intentions sometimes end up having two left feet.

DJan said...

I think it's the same for me: I rehearse the intention and then sometimes it just follows naturally. Other times I must take those painful first steps. Good post.

Hilary said...

So true. Sometimes we trip over our own feet when taking those steps.. other times we dance.

Silver Strands said...

Awww ... how SWEET! Good food for thought.

Kristina P. said...

I hear you, sister!

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Oh man, its hard when you are older, trying something new, nearly impossible!

Big Dave T said...

My colleague here at work likes to say that no good deed goes unpunished. Then there's others who say that a good deed is its own rewards. I lean towards the second thought.

Wandering Coyote said...

Great post, and it really resonates for me right now as I ponder my future and some big changes.

terri said...

I for one, definitely need that first step of contemplating something new. This hit home with me.

Cadan Henry said...

just found your blog. enjoyed the writing and look forward to coming back.

cadan

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

The way I look at it, if we stay in our comfort zone we'll grow stagnate, grow mold, wither up and die.

Ya gotta shake things up and do something new, different and exciting...feel life. Heck, I'm thrown into all sorts of situations I never dreamed of here on the Ponderosa. It's never dull to say the least! Heeeheehhe

God bless ya sweetie and have an amazin' day!

Maggie May said...

Yes..... good intentions need motivation and taking those first steps.
I wonder what it is you are intending to do!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Anonymous said...

may all your following steps be in a straight row!

Syd said...

I think that having good intentions and acting on them is a really powerful thing. And yes, it does take courage.

Stickup Artist said...

I agree whole-heartedly. Action is preceded by thought. Always doing without thinking can't lead to much. Alas, the best intentions do not always guarantee outcomes. Even so, your 3 step approach to change that you closed with makes a lot of sense to me.

Bill Lisleman said...

I like to view it as a balance. Living on the edge is not so survivable but it doesn't hurt to take a look at the edge once in awhile.

Lisa said...

The intentions are always good, never bad.

CiCi said...

Betty, I wish you success in whatever you feel is right for you.

Jeanie, you made me laugh. Two left feet for sure.

DJan, We have much in common.

Hilary, when dancing is easy and relaxed, we are in the right place.

Silver Strands, Thanks so much.

Kristina P, We must be tuned in.

Gary, not impossible. You have no idea how much I have changed over the past four years.

Big Dave, I would like to believe that a good deed is its own reward.

Coyote, I know you are contemplating major changes and I wish you much success.

terri, glad this hit home with you.

cadan, welcome and look forward to checking out your blog.

CiCi said...

Nezzy, your positive outlook is refreshing and encouraging.

Maggie May, Motivation is such an individual thing. I have learned to make difficult changes even when the motivation is a whisper instead of a roar.

Jillsy Girl, You know me, I prefer things crooked.

Sometimes I don't even realize how much courage things take until I have worked through something and made changes.

Stickup Artist, The things I write about here are new for me. That is why they are so interesting to me.

lisleman, indeed, balance is a good place to visit, I just wouldn't want to live there. For me, it sounds too much like being on the fence.Ha.

Ocean Girl, I know your intentions are that way. You rock.

Robert the Skeptic said...

I think it depends on the motive behind the good intentions. If the motive is based on selfish reasons (wanting to change someone's behavior we don't agree with) then the good intentions become meddling.

I know we have a lot of "helpful advice" we would like to help our adult kids with. For the most part, we keep our good intentions to ourselves.

nanonano999 said...

So very well expressed!
Good intentions are always good and never wasted!

Margie

Cricket said...

Very well said. Though it isn't the only consideration, intentions matter, and are where most things begin.

Anne H said...

The intention of all behavior is positive, they say.
But for who - whom - etc is always the next question!

Shrinky said...

Er..talking of good intentions, don't flowers need a little rain (giggle)? That picture kind of illustrates how a lot of my good intentions often back-fire! But like they say, it's the thought that counts, eh? My intentions are usually pure!

Karen said...

I do something similiar myself.

secret agent woman said...

Yep, you have to start with that as a base.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Yes you are so right. I made the decision to buy James' music from his itunes button and it is part of my collection of music to walk to as I stroll. His songs are just what I need to keep motived and work well when I need a slower pace. Actually he's part of a trio, Leonard Cohen's More Best of.., Yanni's If I Could Tell You and James' Bipolar Shaman. His music is totally a different style but I like it. My intention is to keep trying new stuff in all sorts of genres. That's my way to stimulate and keep hoping for good days.

Kazzy said...

I agree. Have the desire to do something good is a major first step.

The Absence of Alternatives said...

I agree with you: I try my best to do right by people. And that's why I often feel shaken to my core when my intention is misconstrued. People have become more and more cynical (myself included) and sometimes I will not do something simply because I do not want my good intentions to be misunderstood...