Sowing the Seeds of Intention: Step 2 ~ Setting our Compass

Young boy feeding elephants at Elephant Valley, Thailand.

In Step 1 of  Sowing the Seeds of Intention,
we focused on Illuminating and distilling our heart's calling. In this post, we'll focus on the four parts of clarifying our heart's calling that lead to creating a powerful vision statement and affirmations. This will set our heart's direction for action. 

Step 2: Setting Our Compass

• A) Review outcomes of Step 1
• B) Pull out important statements of truth
• C) Draft and refine a vision statement
• D) Draft and refine statements of affirmation

Step 2: Setting Our Compass

Taking a mud bath with elephants, Jungle Paradise Park Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The four parts of Setting Our Compass:

• A) Look over values and outcomes: In the last post, I shared my experience learning how the elephants I see as a tourist in Thailand are treated. Looking over the work of step one, I came up with the following...
• B) Pull out important statements of truth: Here's the ones that resonate with me most...
  • I value autonomy for all beings, particularly elephants
  • It REALLY hurts to see animals suffering
  • It REALLY hurts to know that animals are suffering so I can be entertained
  • I would feel much better, and so would animals, if they were not being abused for my benefit
• C) Draft and refine a vision statement: A vision statement is what we see in an ideal situation. They are best crafted with a positive orientation from the very essence of what we're wanting. They are broad and expansive. Here's my draft vision statements:
  • I live in a world where animals, particularly elephants, live free from suffering at the hands of humans--particularly for the sake of human entertainment.
  • Elephants live in positive welfare tourist situations.
  • Elephants in captivity live with the five freedoms.**
  • Elephants live free from suffering at the hands of humans.
  • Elephants involved with tourism are free from suffering, living with dignity, self-determination and healthy vibrancy.
    
  • Elephants and humans live together in dignity and health.
  • Elephant and human interactions support health, dignity and joy for all.
  • Elephants are free to be.
• D) Draft and refine statements of affirmation: Affirmations are statements that are best written in present tense and from a place of gratitude. They are statements we repeat often to remind us of our direction--affirming our intention. Here's a few draft affirmations from my vision:
  • Thank you that elephants are free from suffering for the sake of human entertainment.
    
  • Thank you that elephants are living in dignity, health and self-determination.
  • Thank you that elephants experience the five freedoms of elephant welfare when involved with humans.

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** Five freedoms of welfare
(From Elephant Valley Project)

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
   
2. (Daily access to appropriate food and water)
3. Freedom from discomfort
   
4. (Providing an appropriate environment with ease of movement)
5. Freedom from pain, injury or disease
   
6. (Regular health checks for rapid diagnosis and treatment)
7. Freedom to express natural behavior
   
8. (Providing sufficient space, facilities and social company)
9. Freedom from fear and distress
   
10. (Ability to seek privacy and absence of human initiated contact)

Mother and baby elephant at Jungle Paradise Park sanctuary outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand

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In the next post, we'll look at Step 3: Step Fully into Commitment.

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~JoAnn Saccato, MA, is a mindfulness teacher, life coach, author and consultant. Mindfulness is the popular health and wellness practice based on purposefully paying kind, non-judgmental attention to direct experience. It is a scientifically proven approach that helps reduce stress and stress-related illnesses, increases focus and attention, decreases incidences of and relapses with depression, reduces anxiety, reduces relapses in addiction, and aids in sleep and digestive disorders. It has also been shown to increase well being, life satisfaction and happiness, as well as improved social relationships.