This morning I woke to the inspiration of “streamlining my life” in 2014. Reading “Flylady” and Molly Gorden email letters together reminded  me that I really want to do this in 2014.

My son Ben and I had a discussion about how constant reassessment/ streamlining is necessary as we walk the path toward goals.

What is the balance point between goals set for the future and the reality of constant change? How do we avoid either being stuck in rigid thinking that we must do exactly what we said we would in the future (as predicated by the mind)–or– wallowing in unfocused action?

The key factor is, I believe, discerned intention. Discerned intention requires that I be present, aware, awake in the moment. Inspired by Molly Gordon’s term “template,” I had a vision of a snowflake template of discerned intention constellating the nature of the present moment. This process is the balancing factor between the eternal and the world of change.

It is certainly possible to set a goal and travel down an unswerving road to achieving it through self will (ego). For that I do not have to attain the Witness state. But if I wish to remain aligned with the larger reality, I need to be present to subtle, fluctuating change which may require an adjustment of my goals.

Practicing mindful attention and refining my ability to set intention are indispensable ingredients. I create an intention while in a state of mindfulness. I assess the results of working with that intention mindfully. I form a new intention based on what I learn. In this way I form a “living trajectory” instead of “one straight inviolable line” to what “I” want. (Which seldom works anyway.)

I see now as I read this that I must differentiate between the meaning of  “goal” and “intention.”