What does the sheep say?

Intention.

I know I wrote about motivation earlier. The concept of how 'intention' works is similar to how motivation works, in my mind. Motivation is ’what’ makes us do things, whilst intention is 'why' we do things: the idea behind our actions.

I often think along the lines of acting and/or reacting. Are the things I do actions or reactions? How about other people? As I think of it, with an action, the intention is clear to us. A reaction, however, is when we act on other people’s intentions.

Let’s take for an example, you wake up in the morning, you may make your bed, but is it because, that’s what you grew up with?
Then it’s still most likely a reaction to your parent's wishes, whilst if you do it intentionally, it becomes an active thing.

I’m one of those lucky people who wakes up early naturally, so I don’t have to use an alarm clock, so for me the first intentional action I do, is getting up. For many, their waking up is a reaction to that terrible sound.

Don’t worry, if you’re one of the clock people, you can still change the direction of the day, by for example making the bed, as an active thing, for yourself. Or even better, make your bed, put on coffee and meditate whilst waiting for it.
Often people say that they feel like they have no control in their lives, just by small things like this, one can change the feeling, so instead of starting the day on the back foot, reacting to things whole day, try to be more aware of the things you do.



Now that we’re past the morning, let’s go into what’s been on my mind lately.

Over the years I've observed various friends struggle with addictions. Often they say "I will stop with this now", however, that rarely works out. I think that’s because the intention isn't there to really do it. Instead, it’s a reaction to the shame they’re feeling.

It's never easy. I myself was addicted to gaming for a long time. However, when I was ready to quit, I managed to do it. It was an active choice to do it, not a reaction to people around me.
That's why I think it takes a certain amount of self-reflection and understanding of oneself to be able to quit destructive behaviour. You have to understand why you do it: what's the intention behind the action? Why do you drink? Why do you do drugs? What’s the real reason behind it? For most, I'd say it's the escape. Being able to take a break.

[Sadly, a lot of us has been there. ] Observing a friend becoming worse and worse with their self-destructive behaviours, yet there's nothing we can do. All we’re left with is picking up the pieces when they hit rock bottom.

Everyone knows the thing with traffic lights. If one person crosses the road when it's red, many other will follow, without even thinking about it. The person who takes the first step makes an active choice to walk despite the light being red. The others just follow as a reaction. The lovely herd mentality of our breed of animals, hmm?

Next time you're in that situation, crossing the road even though the light is red because others are doing it, stop to think. Do you follow because you really can’t wait a few seconds more or do you follow because you’re just another sheep?