Here it comes!
Intentions for those difficult moments that you can see coming.
There are two kinds of difficult moments,
Those we see coming and those we don't.
Both often involve other people.
Our goal for facing these moments is to add a moment,
A moment between our perception of what's happening and our reaction to it,
So we can observe and choose what we will do.
Setting intentions can help.
For the difficult moments we can anticipate,
Hard decisions,
Conversations,
Or even life events,
People often say hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Unfortunately,
We tend to do what we prepare to do,
Whether it's helpful or not.
Another challenge of difficult moments that we can see coming is the anxiety and stress that naturally builds each time we think about it,
And that stress is cumulative in our body and our mind.
Our goal for difficult moments that we can see coming is to think beyond just what we will say or do and get to what we intend to have happen as a result of what we say or do.
When you see a difficult moment coming,
Ask yourself this question.
How do I want those involved to feel or act when it's all said and done?
First,
And before that difficult moment becomes this moment,
Set an intention and imagine it unfolding in the best way possible.
In your mind,
See it completely through,
Noticing how you and others feel as it unfolds as well as it can.
Notice what you did or didn't do that helped it unfold that way.
Each time a thought about that coming moment comes back to you,
Recall how you felt as you imagined it unfolding as well as it could.
Second,
And when that difficult moment becomes this moment,
As it unfolds,
Pay attention to what's really happening and pause to do these three things.
One,
Take a breath.
Mentally step back from what you are experiencing and observe how you are feeling about it.
Two,
Take another breath.
Recognize and try to suspend your assumptions about what's happening and look and listen for what is really happening.
Three,
Take another breath.
Having listened and felt for what's really happening,
Consider your options for how you can best respond.
Choose and make a response that will get to how you want all those involved to feel or act when it's all said and done.
Repeat as necessary.
