"The Annual Intentions Event was just what I needed to get the year started in the right direction. I'm already planning to attend next year, and the year after that, and the year after that!!" -Cheryl Van

The 10th year was simply great. What started in January 2001 as a gathering of a few women in my living room, has become an annual happening, this year with 40 women in attendance.

Here's a picture of 23 of the women who were there.

At the event, we don't make resolutions or set goals. Not that goals aren't good; they can be. But the trouble with with resolutions and goals is that they seem like such struggle. So at the event, women in small groups set their themes and intentions for the year.

A theme could be anything from business growth to personal rejuvenation, to smart financial decision-making, to being known for a special talent that you want to demonstrate or acquire. They start with, “This is my year for…” and end with an inspirational declaration that says it all for what this year is going to be about. Like, “This is my year for…” “…going where I've never gone before.”   “…being deliberate about my life,” “…being smart about money,” “…adding joy to my every-day life,” “…moving up in my career,” or “…taking the stress out of life.” Themes are our guides.

At the event his year, some themes sounded like this, “This is my year for strength and courage.” “This is my year for saying “no” to unfulfilling activities.” “This is my year for finishing what I've started.”

Intentions were designed around those themes, and they are our aims for the year, and are the realization of one or more visions of pictures of the future that we have for ourselves. They're both aspirational and inspirational – aspirational in that they're clear states of what we're moving toward, and inspirational in that when you read yours, your energy level rises significantly.

They can start with words like, “By the end of this year I will have…” and follow with statements like “…made my garden into a sanctuary,” “…gotten the job of my dreams,” “…taken at least one vacation that's good for my soul.”

I left the event on Saturday feeling inspired by the women in the room. Because when we all zero in on what we love, and make a commitment to a year of that, that's nothing short of feeling like a day of miracles.  ---Denise

Here's what some of the women who came to our 2010 event had to say.

"Wow - this was time well spent. You have a true gift to help others learn more about themselves and live their lives more fully. Congratulations to you for helping make that happen!"

"Great job!"

"Loved this year's session and your dynamic facilitation. Wish we could see more of you throughout the year."

"Great Deni! Your event is so well-thought out, well-constructed and well-paced and the new visualization adds a very important component just at the right moment -it lets the participants tap into a part of themselves whether it be spiritual or emotional that is very important if not the most important place from which to start."

"Denise's event is a joy to attend. It's so well designed, so comprehensive and she is such a magnetic facilitator. The group of women is always dynamic and the willingness of the participants to authentically and courageously show up is truly inspiring and energizing."

"What a great way to start each year! I cannot think of a better way to kick off my 2010 intentions than to go to this seminar with my daughter."

"I was thoroughly impressed with Denise's natural ability to help people and zero in on helping them figure out what they need. She has a surgical approach to diving in quickly and empowering others to solve their problems. That's a real gift -I appreciate that she shares this with others!"

"My 2009 Intention set in motion a much needed change in the way I viewed my life. I feel like my 2010 Intention is the next step and would not have been possible without Denise's excellent and entertaining facilitation in helping me identify how to move my life into the direction I want it to go. I am a huge advocate of the Intentions Gathering event and hope to bring more and more of my friends to it next year as well."

Hold Saturday, January 8, 2011 for our next Intentions Event.