The Tranformative Ability of Intentionality

How do you transform something from its base constituents into something more inspirational?

Cooking is my favorite example. Take a recipe for Tika Masala--gather up that plethora of spices and vegetables for the sauce and you will quickly see how alchemy works. Tearfully cutting an onion builds the base of a sauce that makes the tears a faint memory.

Now, in addition to the transformation that happens from cutting and sauteing and caramelizing, there is the intention behind the meal that makes it sparkle. Did you take your time with the sauce? Did you let it gurgle and bubble long enough that the bay leaf and turmeric had time to infuse into the chicken? Or were you in a rush and thus you miss that little hint of flavor? There is infinite possibility in cooking for the alchemy of physical prowess (your finesse with knives and pans) but also the state of mind while you do said cooking.

Similarly, you can apply these principles to most things you do. Self-care routines can overflow with ritual and love -- the way in which you brush your teeth can keep cavities and gum disease at bay because you've built the intention behind the monotony. 

What if we treated our fellow man with such reverence? Instead of asking, "How're you doing?" as a bland salutation, you actually met your conversational companion eye to eye and really listened for their reply. And when they ask you the same thing in return, you don't dodge the question, you really answer it with eye contact and a heartfelt reply, "The weather is nice and I'm going for a walk later. I hope you find joy in your own way too."

Intentional compassion is what will save humanity. Once we see the world as it is, we see this sort of gummy veneer that grimes up most of life. We live beneath this gunk of societal expectations, gender norms, capitalistic indoctrination and fear. But once we polish away these things, there is so much more shine to life.

Did you really buy that Stanley tumbler because you wanted to have refreshingly cold beverages, or did you buy it because you saw an influencer had one and then everyone at work also had one, so that meant you needed to have one?

How many of your decisions are based upon conformity or fear of not fitting in?

Becoming self-aware of the many layers of scum we've allowed to accumulate is fucking hard. I've seen through a great deal of murk most of my life (I was exposed to National Geographic magazine at too young an age),  yet I continue to find myself mired in it. 

I find myself drug down by the expectations and drudgery of a society built upon greed and fear. I find myself seeking quick fix cures in tinctures and trending mantras. I want abundance, I want health, I want, want want.

But what do I really need? What sets my soul on fire? What gift do I posses (or can I cultivate) that can bring about inspiration?

I attempt to hold myself to "higher" standards. I don't eat processed foods, I exercise, I read, I do my best to be authentic and try to leave things better than how I found them. This doesn't always pan out in a good way, as I've found most people carry many layers of trauma and fear which lead to rash decisions and calamity.

If I haven't "purified" or made my own intentions clear, they mix with the traumas of others and create terrible life recipes. Most people don't listen to the content of your character and actions, they see you through the lens of their own insecurities.

So how do you transform that layer of perceptional filth into self-worth? How do you scrub away the decay and troubles of things? How do you keep yourself steady and balanced in a world that is not?

If you like reading, The Four Agreements is an excellent place to start. If you prefer video, you can find summaries of it on YouTube.

Living with integrity teaches you how to see the world as it is, but also to see the potential for transformation.

You've probably had a grandma or grandpa in your life that could see through your bullshit so quickly you thought they were reading your mind. They'd give you advice, which you wouldn't follow, and then when they saw you next they'd explain exactly what happened to you without you opening your mouth. These types of people are the long haul alchemists. They've learned through a lifetime of experience and understand the human condition.

The catch is, you can get granny wisdom now by applying certain principles as the foundation of your life. Learning by experience has no substitute, but understanding the rules of any art or science before partaking in that thing will make the experience all the more impactful. Trying to make sushi without ever eating sushi is probably a bad idea. 

Some tools you can acquire through the shared wisdom of others, but the sharpest tools are those you craft and hone through the tumult of life experience.