Today’s mindfulness practice is Setting an Intention. To complete this activity, you will need a few pieces of colored paper, a marker, a glue stick and a Popsicle stick. We will start by learning what an intention is. An intention is something that you would really like to make happen- kind of like a wish, but you are actually taking steps to make your own wish come true. Setting an intention is different than making a wish, because an intention is like a promise to yourself to work toward what you want to happen.

Is there anything you can think of setting an intention for? It can be for an event coming up, a personal goal, a desire to work better with others… anything that you would like to put your energy toward making happen. Intentions can be big or small, the important thing is that you will help it grow.

Our activity today is to think of an intention and to make a plant or flower with our supplies that we can either set up in the classroom or bring home (depending on what your teacher says) so that we have a constant reminder of the intention we are growing. Just like a real plant or flower, your intention will need regular of attention, but instead of watering it you will think about your intention and maybe begin to take steps toward making it happen. Some intentions take longer than others, and sometimes intentions change along the way. Be patient with yourself and your intention, and know that it is okay if it is different.

Lets begin by finding a comfortable seat, closing our eyes, and beginning to notice our breath. Follow the path of your breath as it fills up your body going in, and leaves your body going out. Once you have tuned into your breath, let your mind turn toward creating an intention. What pops up in your head when you think of something you’d like to grow or work toward? Sit with these thoughts for a moment, and when you have found your intention, you can slowly come back to the room, opening your eyes.

Now go ahead and make a flower or plant to hold your intention. Anything that seems right to you is perfect. Once you are done, write your intention somewhere on the flower or plant and your intention planting is complete!

Teacher’s Tip: Teachers can cue students to plant their intentions at school or at home (if there is not a space for it). Have students revisit these intentions regularly if at school, or check in every week/other week if they took them home. If you don’t have Popsicle sticks, you can have students make their plants on sturdy paper and hang it up somewhere that way by stringing yarn through a hole punch at the top.

Student’s Tip: Remember to visit your intention often. That is the way it will start to grow. Don’t forget that your intention is your wish that you make come true. You have the power to work toward that intention- and it is okay if your intention changes as you grow. If your intention is at home, make sure it is somewhere you can see it everyday.