Can I Get an Intention Up in Here?
Plus Christian Bale, team no cream cheese, and gas stoves forever
Hello and happy fastest month of the year! (Not to be rivaled by May or even December!)
How are you? Are you easing into 2023? Or has it been more like a slingshot?
In December, I started going to a local yoga studio pretty regularly. And someday, I might write about why and what it’s meant to me, but today, I’d like to talk about the very serious business of setting an intention.
If you’re not a yoga person, let me explain: usually, there is some form of gentle movement at the very beginning of each class, some easy stretching, some deep breathing—a little amuse-bouche for your body. You settle in. You prepare. You enjoy the relaxation. Because in about seven minutes, your muscles are going to be en fuego.
I go to heated classes and initially, I thought I’d hate it. But just like sleeping with a weighted blanket, I’ve grown to love it/need it/enjoy it for reasons I cannot put into words.
So before the drip-in-my-eyes sweat starts in earnest, but after the initial body check-in, the instructor usually says something like:
“Close your eyes and take this time to set an intention for the class.”
And then they pause. Which is lovely.
You’d think I’d come to each class knowing they’ll say this and I’d give it some thought ahead of time. But no. I don’t. Never once.
And this moment lasts for something like 1.8 seconds.
To me, it’s the least enjoyable part of class.
I guess I’ve just thought I should be in the moment. Decide on the spot.
But this is not working out for me.
Because every single time, in that too-brief pause, my brain goes absolutely nuts. This isn’t enough time! I can’t decide! Be grateful? Jesus, be with me? Augh, I need to think! To listen! I have no good intentions right now! Does everyone else have an intention? Can they see my non-intention? MORE TIME! I do not intend well under pressure.
For you people who DO do yoga, is pre-intending your intention a thing?
A beat or two behind everyone else, I usually settle on something like a short prayer of sorts. A plea, maybe? For God to be near. For me to be aware of his presence. A simple Thank you. Or even just a word like Trust.
My kids have been off school since Wednesday. Winter break? End of January break free for all? I don’t know, but they’re home.
And yesterday morning, right before devouring the chocolate chip pancakes I made, I interrupted my son—who was mid-pancake in mouth—to say a quick prayer. Which we do, literally, every time we sit down to eat. Afterward, I said something like, “it’s a good reminder for our heart to pause and be thankful.”
My daughter came to the table next, bowed her head quickly, then started to eat.
“Did you even pray?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she said, pancake in mouth. “I said ‘Dear God, thank you for this day and thank you for this food.’”
Maybe it’s rote, but also — maybe it’s just simple and honest?
Is that enough?
When I’m tempted to make almost everything a much bigger deal than it needs to be—whether that’s prayer, an intention for one hour, or how I want to start off a year that seems to be BITING AT THE BIT TO BE FEBRUARY ALREADY—I have to remember: figuring it all out is not what I need to be doing. Instead, I can turn my heart to heaven, and just keep showing up.
In the Kitchen
Maybe I’m late to the baked feta thing but man, this roasted veggie pasta was so good and easy. Do you have any great vegetarian recipes? Would love to have links in the comments!
This Dijon Chicken with potatoes.
And DO NOT TELL ANYONE about this recipe because it’s the best and I want to be the only person who knows how to make cinnamon rolls like this. (Minus the cream cheese frosting. Gross. Team powdered sugar all the way.)
Offerings
There are only three spots left for Reading Well, Writing Well Workshop (part 2) that I teach with Callie Feyen. It starts February 6th and runs for 11 weeks. A real ‘level up’ your writing course.
And if you want a smaller commitment, my four-week Freewrite Workshop: The Art of the Micro-Essay starts March 6th and also has only three spots left. The premise: learn how to write big in a small space. (Which, turns out, makes your longer writing better, too!)
Just for Fun
(My brother’s doll was named Lucas Cyrus and WHY do I remember that?!)
Until next month!
Ok, straight up cackling at you attempting to set intentions before yoga. My brain feels similar when I try to do anything slightly meditative/prayerful. Also going to try the feta/veggie pasta recipe this week. Thanks for sharing!
We love this one: https://marinmamacooks.com/broccoli-lemon-pasta-kid-rated-10/
Not usually a tofu fan, but this recipe is amazing: https://minimalistbaker.com/general-tsos-tofu/
I also have a great falafel recipe, which I think I got from allrecipes about 10 years ago. Let me know if you’re interested