Our January theme: “Living with Intention”
Check-in question: What do you do to stay in touch with your intentions as you go through your days?
When I dare to be powerful — to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid… I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.
Dear Friends,
The justice warrior Audre Lorde talked about and worked for self-determination in people impacted by racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia, and I love this quote from her! I hear in it that intention can be a tool we can use to lessen the impact of fear in our lives, and while I know she was talking about intention as a tool against fear in people in marginalized communities, I can’t help but apply this thinking to my responses to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
My intention to behave in ways that minimize my risk is certainly born out of the fear of catching the virus – and this idea invites me to think about how I use that fear. It drives my intention to behave in ways that minimize my risk results in cautionary practices, like getting vaccinated and boosted, reducing the amount of time I spend around people in indoor spaces, and wearing a good mask when I do choose to be indoors. And these actions and behaviors substantially reduce my fear of catching the virus. This doesn’t shift my intention, though, which drives me to continue the behaviors that minimize my risk. So I’m less afraid, and deliberate in my actions.
What reflection does the quote spark in you?
In faith and love,
Karen