Set Your Intention for the New Year

Be aware that each word you speak is a seed planted in the field of life. Each word spoken puts energy into motion. Let us pay attention to what we say and why we say it. As a spiritual practice, seek to discover the intention and motive behind your words. What is it that is speaking? Is love speaking?
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian 

As we move into the new year it is common to make a New Year's resolution. The problem with this is that these resolutions are often broken fairly soon. A resolution is defined as solving a problem or resolving an issue. Why not set an intention?  There is a difference. An intention is an aim or a goal. It is something that we can work toward. Yogacharya O'Brian has likened setting an intention to using a bow and arrow. We pull back the bow string with the intention that the arrow will hit the mark.  We can take this sacred time of the year to look at our lives and determine how we want to live and set an intention to live with higher purpose. 
Being conscious of our speech, the seeds we plant with what we say and the intention behind what we say, is a positive way to begin the year. Set an intention to stay conscious of the words you use, how you use them and the intention behind them. Sometimes that may even mean staying silent or pausing before you speak. Our regular meditation practice supports us in that conscious awareness.