Choices are the spine of intention
Fridge Philosophy shares the power of intentional choice
Note: Since 2018, I have placed these short quotes on our refrigerator at home to provide subtle hints for successful, thoughtful, and purposeful practices in hopes my teens would internalize them. Along the way, I found them helpful in my own life.
We are still in the afterglow of New Year’s resolutions (My thoughts on Resolutions here). The gyms are still full. The fad diets are flyng off the shelves. People are plowing through Genesis on their way to finishing the Bible in 2024.
For me, it’s keeping off my phone. I need to reduce my screentime and stop the endless scrolls through Instagram reels, twitter rants, Facebook posts, and newsfeeds. (I’m trying to look at Substack posts on a computer).
But we all know where most of these resolutions are going to go, right? Soon, the gym is just too far away. Dang, the Old Testament is dark. And my goodness, that Oreo is screaming my name.
The intention is still there, but it comes down to choices. Do we choose to get up when that alarm goes off at 5 a.m. put our feet on the ground and move? Do we choose not to buy that container of Cookies and Cream ice cream? Do we find ways to connect with the Good Book that helps us to look to the next lesson in scripture?
In her essay The Difference between Decisions, Intentions, and Choices, Caroline Lee shares how interconnected these are all. Without intention, choices and decisions are made without forethought. Without decisions and choices, intention is just a dream. Intention is the goal. Decision is making the goal a priority. Choice is putting that decision into a reality.
The space between intent and decision and then choice is the choppy waters where our New Year’s Resolutions face reality. We all have good intentions on January 1. We sit down and watch the Rose Parade excited to pursue a path of self improvement. But then what does that mean? And further, when you come across the ice cream aisle, or even more difficult, you are celebrating a birthday and the bowl of ice cream cake is presented, how strong is that intention, decision and choice?
For my goal with my phone, a couple of weeks in and I’ve chosen to leave the phone on the other side of the room or in another room entirely. I’ve also tied a goal to the amount of screentime each week that tells me exactly how much time I’ve spent staring at that screen. This provides accountability to my intention and helps support my choices to stay off.
Setting intentions means that you are making a conscious decision to know what you are hoping to achieve with each decision and action and WHY you want to achieve it. Knowing your intention is the motivation to get started, even when it feels hard. Intention orientates your actions and decisions and fuels you to stay inspired. When you align your actions with what you really want and your truest intention, you are empowering yourself to navigate life with conscious decision-making. Aligned and Kind, What is Intention?
Intention, decision on prioritization, and choice are three links of a chain connected together. They all must be strong in order to move forward with that intent. When we make choices based on intention, we reenforce the priority we place that intention in our lives. We take ownership of the way we want to live, and we provide a vision and a process for how we can accomplish that vision.
Side of mustard
It’s been a while since I offered a side of mustard. I’ve always thought these sides of mustards could be some “Hot Takes” (though I hate that term) and observations as this man nearing 50 finds from time to time. But I didn’t want them to become rambling musings that no one finds hot, nor fresh, nor relatable.
But… here is something I think is relatable, though this take is questionably “Mild.”
On Monday, while I watched the National Championship College Football Game between Washington and Michigan, I was dressed up all in my Michigan gear. I had the hoodie, the winged helmet beanie, the pint glass I bought in 2011. But, I observed, Five years ago and I’m inviting people over or I’m at a sports bar watching the game. I may also be pacing and holding my breath on every play. But I’m watching. I’m enjoying. I cheer on a touchdown. But overall, I’m kinda meh about it all.
I think I’ve been afflicted with Waning Sports Fandom. Here are the symptoms:
I don’t care about the NFL. As recently as five years ago, I was a full-on fantasy nerd and lived and died by the Oakland Raiders every week. But when the Raiders left for Las Vegas, I stopped fantasy football, have watched one or two games in their entirety and have come to disdain the relentless year-round coverage of the League.
Sports Talk Radio is a bore. I used to listen religiously. I even called in a few times. Now, I listen occasionally to a podcast on English Premiere League soccer.
Outside of College GameDay during college football season, I haven’t watched a second of non-live sports programming on ESPN in years. SportsCenter was a daily staple. Now, I’d rather stream the Office.
My hatred of rivals has tamed significantly. Sure, Ohio State still sucks. SF Giants fans are annoying. Tottenham is still Tottenham. But do I lose sleep over it like I used to? Do I have serious schadenfreude for when something bad happens to a rival? I now just watch the game. Enjoy it for what it is. Turn it off and get on with my day.
Perhaps the real diagnosis is my waning interest in the sports industrial complex. I enjoy the games. There is still drama in every game and every play. The effort, skill, and dedication to play these games are admirable and I can still sit in awe. But it’s the other stuff - the commentators, the endless speculation, storylines, and narratives - that I can do without. I don’t care to see/hear a debate on “Is X on the hot seat?” or “Is Y the Greatest of All Time?” or “Is added attention of Z (that we add the attention) a distraction for V?”
I’m sure there is a cure. I’m sure many folks will want me to experience their fandom with their teams thinking I can be converted back to the sports fanatic I used to be.
But I think I’m good with this chronic diagnosis. In fact, I think I’ll lean into it. I think I like sports when I don’t know the narratives, when I can just enjoy the sport on the field. Instead, I’ll make a choice to reenforce my intention to spend my time in productive ways.
What's wrong with the commentators?!? I'm sure you mean the pre/half/post, and the debate shows, now the glorious play-by-play announcers that are the *only* reason why you watch the game ;)