Friday, February 6, 2009

Power of Intention

My fellow writer in the great lay off of 2009 emailed me today and she mentioned Dr. Wayne Dyer and the power of intention, a power that I know so well. A power that I know is currently not working at maximum capacity. A simple definition for intention is: “to have in mind a purpose or plan, to direct the mind, to aim.” Without that intention we simply stumble around without any real direction or meaning.

Today ends the second week of unemployment. We continue to stay positive scouring through every website with job listings as we read the latest headlines about record-breaking unemployment levels everywhere. This morning the stories continue south of the border with “Tough choices for America’s hungry” and here at home “McGuinty warns of multi-year deficits for Ontario.” Somehow we manage to laugh it off and continue to move forward, one more call, one more resume, one more website. Networking. We are great communicators and intelligent hard workers, we will attract something soon…er or later. Which brings me to the power of intention.



I recall moments with intentions so straightforward, highly visual and believable, that they of course came to light. From meeting my soul mate to starting my own business, having that unwavering intention has lead me to great experiences. While attending university, I knew without a doubt that I was destined to work for a record company. I remember it all so vividly because one way or another, I was helping create it all.

I started out with the only independent record company in London, Auto Records, owned at the time by composer Peter Brennan. The first band I brought back to the label was called Grandeur of Ghosts, lead by the very talented Shawn Creamer. Those were amazing times where I started to listen to even more and more music than I could get my hands on to. This was when I really got hooked on music, now I was directly connected to those who were being inspired to write and perform. I had found my true place. It felt right. Grandeur of Ghosts, Buckshot Enema, Finnegan’s Treehouse, Elevator Bugs, these were just a few of the local bands inspiring me to continue after the dream.

This is where pure intention comes into the picture. I had already spent much of my youth imagining myself working at a major record label. I imagined talking to dj’s about certain albums that they just had to play. I imagined myself night after night out in downtown Toronto walking past long line-ups and heading into to see the hottest new bands. I imagined all my job interviews happening with Warner, A&M, Motown and then having to sit back and choose which company to join. (ha! There was never a bidding war for my services!) Resume after resume went out the door to everyone in the industry. Eventually they would all hear about me and someone would see the potential. That day did eventually happen and the rest is history.

Today I find myself in a different position. Now that pure intention, that vision, is not as clear and naïve as it was fifteen years ago. Now it is simply a vision to take care of my family and get a pay cheque rolling in again. That is the immediate and my mind has yet to imagine something grander. How can it, in these uncertain times? It is almost like I can’t waste time dreaming right now and I just need to take care of business. If you know me at all you understand the challenge but you also know I shall always overcome. I have not given up on the power of intention. I’m intent on becoming employed and from there, eventually rediscovering the road less traveled.

In the Toronto Star the other day was a great article about The Dakota Tavern. Shawn Creamer is now the co-owner of the club and is also in the band The Beauties who play every Sunday. Way to go!! Reading about the Dakota brought back all these memories of that career searching time after graduation. Of course things are very much different today as we sort out this new direction amidst the paradigm shift, a shift I welcome with open arms.

http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/article/580263