Purpose vs Intention - Is there a Difference?

I saw an interesting comment on a forum recently. The original poster was gleefully detailing a plan that purposed great hurt to another person - simply for the gratification of causing pain. The responder simply asked - I understand your purpose but what is your intention?

I thought - wow. What an extraordinarily powerful question. There's so much buzz in the media today about defining our life's intentions. Really, what does that mean? To me, it's about defining the values that are important to me, the areas where I will not compromise, realizing my dreams. Anything that I purpose to do needs to be in line with my intentions.

For example, if we have a relationship with someone that is full of pain and mutual anger and hurt, what is our intention for that relationship? Is it to let it go? Is it to make peace with what cannot be changed? Is it to repair the relationship and restore it to health? The actions that we take must be aligned with that intention to feel at peace.

And yet, how often do we take the time to define our intentions? To step back and clearly visualize what we want to happen instead of simply reacting without thought?

Our society demands instant gratification. Our children are taught to react without thinking when they play hours of violent video games. As adults, we have an entire world at our fingertips for instant communication. We don't have the time to think, to meditate, to feel. We just react.

So I would challenge you - what IS your life's intention? When was the last time you simply sat in the quiet and meditated on your values and your life plan? When was the last time you checked your actions and motives against your life intention? How would your life change if you took the time to do this?

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