the amazing power of deliberate intent: the art of allowing (a personal synopsis)
Do you ever wish you had more control over your life, reality, and outcomes? Do you ever find your focus swiftly fleeting from what you desire, to what you fear and worry about? Do you want a more empowered, confident state while also unsure if such a life is out there for you to seize?
Common are these desires and worries of life. The juxtaposition of intense inspiration and faith, entangled with doubts and anxieties that cloud our hopes, is a struggle many of us face.
However, we do have what it takes to initiate, respond, and create a life that feels good. We have the power to cultivate a more confident, trusting, and empowered state—a state we can grow, nurture, and bask in. Moreover, we can experience what we truly want, even if we currently feel lost or unsure how to get there. How is this all possible? Through the simple yet transformative power of intention and focus, practiced with consistency and openness.
“The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Living the Art of Allowing” by Esther and Jerry Hicks is a delightful reminder of this power. It shares universal truths, and practical, simple techniques that focus on what we all want at the end of our day: to feel better, to feel better about what we want, about our life, and about the process of getting there.
What is Deliberate Intent?
Deliberate intent, as I have come to understand and practice it through the teachings of Abraham and my own experiences, is the act of planned, thoughtful focus toward a goal. This goal could be a feeling, outcome, or experience—such as a new state of being, perspective, or opportunity. Like an archer with a bow and arrow, you assess the situation, choose a specific target, and direct your focus (intention) toward it.
"You have the power to give your attention to something that pleases you, or to something that doesn’t, but your power is in your ability to focus on what feels good to you."
This excerpt from The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent stands out to me as a simple yet profound reminder of where our power lies. It highlights that our ability to create change does not come from control or force, but from focusing on what brings us satisfaction, inspiration, and peace. This innate gift of focus, available to all of us, is the key to connecting with what feels good and creating the lives we desire.
The Way You Feel Matters: Let Your Good in More
Life and its array of interesting circumstances can have a funny way of making us believe how we feel doesn’t matter. We might start seeing ourselves as insignificant—just a tiny drop in a vast ocean. The mundane circumstances we grow up in can magnify this feeling, adding layers of insecurity. Left unchecked, these feelings can grow uncontrollably, like animals multiplying in the wild. But here’s a diabolically fundamental truth: how you feel does matter.
This isn’t to say that every negative thought or emotion will spiral your life into chaos. Nor does it mean that so-called “negative” emotions should be ignored, bypassed, or suppressed. Discomfort is part of the human experience—and often, it’s where we grow the most. However, your attitudes, perspectives, and feelings about what happens in your world (including what feels like it is happening to you) matter profoundly.
The moment you start prioritizing feeling like a capable, resourceful human being—a creative force in your own life—things change. Stop gaslighting yourself into thinking your existence has no impact. You are here for a reason; within you is a force that knows what it’s doing. On some level, you must embrace the idea that you have creative jurisdiction over your life and how you experience it. Your well-being, joy, and sense of expansion are not just casual possibilities of life; they are of the utmost importance.
When you accept this truth, everything shifts. You can choose to respond differently to life—not because it’s logical or expected, but simply because it feels better to do so. You are allowed to prioritize feeling good, even when the world says otherwise. At the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want? True contentment, joy, and peace.
“It is not important whether it is true or not, but whether or not you want to experience the truth of it in your experience.”
Your Finite Resource: Your Focus
Just like time, our focus is a non-replenishable, limited resource. Something so precious and limited in its nature must hold within it an inherent value. What we focus on, we have the ability to grow, consciously and unconsciously. This is a universal experience: from goal setting and achievement to rumination and thought spirals.
The power of our attention can uplift or diminish any circumstance; such is the potency of our thoughts, feelings, and focus. As the authors of The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent remind us:
"Therefore, anytime you are focusing upon anything—past, present, or future—you are in the process of creation."
This quote gently reminds us how our focus is not just a tool, but a creative resource and force in the world. Whether we are reflecting on the past, observing the present, or envisioning the future, our focus can shape our experiences and interactions with the world around us. Understanding this allows us to approach our attention with intention and care, and embolden us to prioritize what nurtures and grows us.
Practical Tips for Applying
Deliberate Intent
One of my favorite things about The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent is the focus tools it provides. These techniques make deliberate intention an approachable process we can easily incorporate into our lives. They are simple, easy to apply, and incredibly effective. Here are my top favorites from the book:
The-Book-of-Positive-Aspects-Process
For this process, you don’t actually need a physical book—but a notebook can help with focus and consistency. The beauty of this technique is its flexibility; you can do it anytime, anywhere, for any circumstance.
To begin, write down the topic you want to improve your thoughts, feelings, or ideas about. Then, try to uncover positive aspects of the subject—no matter how big or small. Don’t force it; simply stay open to the positive sides of the subject and let them flow.
To encourage this mindset, ask yourself questions like:
“What do I like about you?”
“What are your good points?”
“How could this be an actual benefit in the long run?”
“Sometimes if something has been bothering you, it is not easy to write a long list (or even a short one) of its positive aspects. But whenever you are determined to find a positive aspect, you can usually find one.”
The Wouldn’t-It-Be-Nice-If…? Process
This fun, light-hearted technique allows you to play with your focus and creativity. It mimics the natural way we often use our focus in conversation. To apply this method, suspend judgment and remain open to the possibility of your desire coming forth. Focus on how it feels to be in the creative space within yourself and how wonderful it feels to explore the possibilities.
You can use this process in writing, thought or speech! You can also combine it with the process above. For example:
“Wouldn’t it be nice if I found positive aspects about this?”
Here are more examples:
Wouldn’t it be nice if this desire came to me?
Wouldn’t it be nice if everything just started to work out?
Wouldn’t it be nice if I started to think more positively?
Wouldn’t it be nice if I started to love working out?
Wouldn’t it be nice if I started sleeping better?
“This Wouldn’t-It-Be-Nice-If. . . ? Process can help you feel better almost every time if you are willing to focus in a better-feeling direction.”
The Segment-Intending Process
I adore this technique and have used it for years. It’s like a secret weapon for shifting focus. The power of segment-intending lies in encouraging us to move away from how things feel now and focus instead on how we want them to feel.
This process can be used throughout the day. Each time you transition into a new segment—waking up, driving, starting work, or even doing the dishes—you can set intentions for how you wish to feel and experience that segment.
Here’s how to use it:
When entering a new segment, declare your intentions. You can write them down, think about them, or say them aloud. Over time, this practice will enhance your awareness of your thoughts and emotions, helping you deliberately choose where to focus.
Example from the book:
Segment: A one-hour staff meeting.
Intentions:
I want to feel refreshed from the weekend.
I want to enjoy the company of my colleagues.
I want this meeting to be productive and enjoyable.
I want others to feel glad I was there.
“Whenever you are setting forth your intentions about how want to feel and how you like a segment to unfold, it is always beneficial.”
Overall
These techniques are versatile and can be tailored to suit any situation. Try one or two and see how they work for you. Practice them as often or as little as you feel inspired, and remember—you can adjust them to fit your day, mood, and circumstances. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and allow these simple tools to work their magic.
When Things Seemingly Find You at
the Perfect Time
Few things bring me more joy than when something stumbles into my life at just the right moment. The serendipity of being in the right place at the right time—whether it’s coming across a piece of information when you need it most or buying a book on a whim—it is like magic. That’s exactly how I feel about The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent. I am deeply grateful for the mindset shifts, empowering tools, and positivity it has brought into my life, time and time again, each time I revisit it.
One of the most important realizations we can have in life is recognizing our innate power and worthiness. The world is full of questions, and when we discover answers that light us up, improve our lives, and provide structure and meaning, we should embrace them wholeheartedly. The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent not only gave me a positive framework for navigating life but also illuminated the creative force that resides within me.
As creations ourselves, creativity is a fundamental part of who we are. It is vital to our continued joy, confidence, and well-being. This book reminded me of that truth, and for that, I will always cherish it.
Moving Forward, Intentionally
It is my belief that you are exactly where you are meant to be at any given moment. Life is constantly guiding us to experiences that are perfectly suited for us—sometimes for reasons we may never fully understand.
I wish for everyone, as I wish for myself, more love, joy, peace, and moments of excitement that never cease. I hope empowerment, possibility, and fulfillment become the natural states we all embrace. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent and my own journey, it’s that these feelings begin within us.
So… stay open. Focus on your good, your deservingness of good, and the relief that comes from realizing you don’t have to have it all figured out. Turn your priceless resource of attention and focus toward what you want to feel, experience, and create, moment by moment.
Let today be the day you open up to life—to all its unknowns and uncertainties—with an eager heart and a curious mind. Let today be the day you suspend judgment and disbelief, making room for a new path of possibility to emerge in its place.
Take care of yourself, trust yourself, and most importantly, have fun with life—it looks good on everyone.
With love,
xoxo leria
