(Warning: trigger language is used in this article)
There is a school of thought that may be misunderstood.
It is the idea of intention.
The idea goes like this, "If I have a good intention, then I am always right."
This line of thinking can be a trap.
It is the same truth spoken by those who hurt others...
"I hit my son because I wanted him to be strong."
This father's intention was to make his son strong.
Many live their whole lives with a similar line of thinking.
Believing that their intention is what is true.
But what if this is mistaken?
What if intention is actually what is received?
Do you think the son who experiences their father hitting him as "a way to become strong?"
But the father might say that is how he loves his son.
That is how he makes his son a man.
... do you think the son experiences his father hitting him as "love"?
Unlikely.
While this may seem like an extreme example, it happens often when we live with the belief that our intention trumps all.
Is how you say you love others actually what they are receiving?
Is how you show up and who you intend to be the version others receive?
Do you find yourself getting what you want because your intention is understood?
What if "good intention" is not defined by the sender but by the receiver?
What might change for you?
Perhaps there is an opportunity to use more clear language.
