“The heart knows the way. Run in that direction.”
Rumi
Dear Dartmouth,
Happy New Year! We hope this message finds you well and filled with hopeful energy. As you navigate through winter term (and beyond), it can be essential to take a moment to reflect on the power of intention and how it can shape your experiences.
Different from New Year’s resolutions, intention is often more about the broader, underlying purpose or direction you want to set for yourself. It is a guiding force, based on the way you want to live, that influences your actions and decisions. When you set clear and positive intentions, you are essentially setting the “compass of the heart” to guide you toward your highest aspirations and living a life more aligned with who you want to be.
This winter term, we ask not only what it means to create your own intentions, but what it means to Inspire Intention in others as well. The best way to inspire intention in others is to demonstrate intentionality in your own actions and decisions. When others see you living with purpose and commitment, it can inspire them to do the same.
To get started, we invite you to reflect on the following questions and actions to help set the stage for your own journey towards Inspiring Intention:
- What are my greatest hopes and aspirations for myself? (think beyond outcome-based goals and more towards guiding principles)
*Make a one-on-one wellness check-in to talk through these big questions with another. - What do I want to see more of in my life?
*Join us every Monday for our Mindfulness Drop Ins to reflect on this with others. - What type of mindset do I want to embrace?
*Relax in the SWC Tranquility Room as you mull this over. - How do I want to cultivate meaningful relationships?
*Revisit (or stay up to date) with our Sexual Violence Prevention Project (SVPP) trainings. - What type of relationship with alcohol or other substances do I want to have?
*Make a Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) session to gain more clarity around this. - What are the deliberate actions I can take as an individual to help others also live more according to their values?
*Set a dedication for others in our free, all-levels yoga classes each week.
In times of challenge, let intention be your anchor, grounding you in your purpose and reminding you of the possibilities that lie ahead. When faced with choices, let intention be your guide, helping you make decisions that align with your values and long-term vision.
Wishing you a winter infused with intention, possibility, and inspiration,
Your Friends at the Student Wellness Center