The intentions that we set and why.

by Joann Wells Greenbaum on 1/4/2010 4:50:38 PM9 Comments

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I've been following Seth Godin's blog for about a year now. There have been times when he's caused me to pay more attention to what I'm doing or thinking.
Recently he posted 8 questions to ask when forming intentions for your goals in your chosen discipline.
The first question on the list is -
"Who are you trying to please? And why?"
(Raise your hand if you are a people pleaser.)
That might not always sound like a good idea, unless you truly and sincerely want to please someone.
I surprised myself when I asked the question and the first person who came to mind was my mother. Why? Because she is proud of me, and so I want to continue to make sure that she is proud of me, because it gives her pleasure. She's 86 and her world is shrinking. But her children are indeed still in the forefront of her thoughts and pleasures.

9 Responses to The intentions that we set and why.

	Donna via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	Trying hard to please God... if I manage that, I can be sure that everyone else on the list is happy with me, too. ;-)

	Christina via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	Joanne, This really touched me as, believe it or not I was having a very similar discussion earlier today and here it is again. As I live my life, hopefully in harmony with the universe, I being to understand how important it is to follow these little wake-up calls that are left in the spiritual message box.

	Joann Wells Greenbaum via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	Donna, I'd love to hear your description of God sometime, and how you please Her. Christina, I'm glad you found this to be a timely message - the more I pay attention the more open I am to these messages.

	Donna via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	That could be a BIG discussion! We are God - we just forgot and are trying to remember. Pleasing me, pleases God. I am pleased only by love. I use personification pronouns sometimes, but usually not without a disclaimer, as happened here. My remark was intended to suggest that if we are thinking, acting, being 'love' - those around us will naturally benefit from our presence. What could be more 'pleasing' to them? It's not my issue if someone is not happy with me... it's their issue. I can only love them, come what may. I gave up on popularity contests and the pleaser syndrome, some time ago. I'm happy to lay down that cross - it was a mighty one to bear. None of this should be confused with compassion and courtesy. I may fall short here at times, but my intent is to always be kind.

	Joann Wells Greenbaum via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	I think you've hit the mark well, and your explanation definitely parallels my own approach and experience. Thank you for taking the time to explain. Love is an inside job, and we are responsible for how that happens to manifest for ourselves. Abandoning the small self for the (God)SELF is a choice and a daily practice. xoxo

	Donna via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	...we are of like heart and mind. Someday I may want to share the circumstance of my highest, peak experience.

	Joann Wells Greenbaum via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	Whenever, or if it seems appropriate, I'd love to hear about it.

	Donna via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	Not many would pick up on the significance of that "if"... I'd like to talk to you about a business idea that's budding... one in which you may want to participate.

	Joann Wells Greenbaum via joannwellsgreenbaum.com	40 months ago
	Donna, Please send more details about your business idea, perhaps in a separate e-mail. Thank you

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The intentions that we set and why.

9 Responses to The intentions that we set and why.