A wonderful teacher in western Maryland known loving as “Mr. R” shares his wisdom with so many of us! It is not what we intend to do, or wherever we intended to be, that results in a successful life. Rather, it is our pathway–the specific direction in which we journey–that ultimately determines our destination. This is called the “Principle of the Path,” and it simply states that direction, not intention, determines destination. I recommend Andy Andrew’s new book, The Final Summit for more on this.

Countless times each day we make mental notes of the things we intend to do, and then we allow ourselves to move in a contradictory direction.

How many of you have ever had a gain at weigh-in and vowed to try harder, only to find yourself going in another direction?

Perhaps you have made a note to yourself that you need to be more active each day, yet you just didn’t quite make it out the door.

How many of you have intended goals for your future, yet have no idea what direction to go to get there?

In The Final Summit, humanity has wandered off course, and the main characters of the story are brought together to answer this singular question, “What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?” If, we take time to reflect upon our own lives, we find some of us are drifting off course. What do you and I need to do in order to move beyond intent and toward the correct pathway to reach our desired destinations? How can I help you and how can you help me to stay with the journey?

As Mr. R asked, “Are you living a life of intention or direction?” Keep in mind that you can “intend” all you like, but that it is your pathway, the specific direction in which you journey, that will ultimately determine your destination. If you seem to be getting no closer to your goal, ask yourself what you need to do to restore yourself to the pathway of success. Map your journey with clear, positive action, not just good intentions.

I Care, Barb