Holding An Intention

The foundation to manifestation.

Two years into creating the Den and it’s not what I initially thought it would be.

Its never how we think it should be.

And isn’t that the beauty of life?

Surrendering to what is. Getting out of our minds expectations and seeing what the universe has in store us.

I’m sitting here at Highlands Music Festival at Camp Walden, two years from the date where we first sponsored this festival.

Sponsoring a co-working cafe at the 2013 Highlands Music festival with nothing but a vision and an easel.

It was a week after we hosted our first yoga in the park and at the time, we had no space, no website, but somehow ended up at this beautiful festival as an in-kind sponsor.

At the time, I didn’t know what the Den was. I just had a vision. An intention to help people heal through music and movement.

I shared this vision with anyone I would run into at the festival and it seemed to resonate. We picked up some new followers and the intention seeded a layer further.

The Highlands experience took us to our next step and shortly after we secured a space.

The vision become a reality.

Now two years in, the reality is much different than what I initially anticipated.

I am leading movement classes. I have an amazing partner that I get to build community with. I’m leading a men’s group and I’m still running my real estate practice.

My capacity has expanded.

My confidence has grown.

And, most importantly, my movement skills have strengthened.

I am more anchored into my mission. But I am not attached to how this looks.

And this has been my biggest lesson while running the Den.

Holding an intention and allowing that intention to unfold, however it needs to.

This lesson was on full display Tuesday night during our Shakedown anniversary party.

Jenn Mansell, Avery and myself planned an epic movement journey to celebrate 2 years of the Den.

We had a full night experience lined up of breathwork, movement, live music and of course a dance party.

Things we’re rocking until our speaker inexplicably blew out….

Disaster.

Or the birthing of something beautiful?

Avery stepped in without hesitation.

She strutted around the room with her guitar and led us all in a communal singing.

The movement continued, the coherence amplified, and we all bonded deeper as a result.

It ended in an intimate closing circle where we all shared what we can step deeper into.

For me, it was a beautiful reminder of what makes the Den so special.

The intention always shines through.

Prior to the class, I asked Avery what her intention was for the night and she said to get people into their hearts so they can access their creativity the way she has.

The speaker blowing out allowed for her to do exactly that. The intention was realized.

In life we can get lost in the details, the planning and get anxious over things not going exactly the way we envisioned.

Of course, it’s important to plan and execute.

But gripping onto a vision is not where our energy is most valuable.

Landing in an intention. Holding that energetically and practically through our actions and letting go of what the outcome looks like.

For 2 years now we’ve toyed around with different programs and structures. People have come and gone.

As an outsider you can call it wavering, but for me the external is less important.

My intention is. This is what leads me. Not the picture.

The ambition that used to eat at me is no longer my leading voice.

And that’s really how I want to inspire people to live. Direction over ego/looks.

Creating function in all facets of your life so you can honor your highest intention.

Carving a path from this place.

That’s the contract I signed when I initiated this thing. To invest in myself and the people that are invested in this community.

So our 2 year anniversary was another beautiful reminder to keep feeding my intention. And to keep inspiring others to do the same.

And that’s exactly what I’m doing right now, writing this newsletter on a Friday afternoon at a Music Festival.

Holding my intention wherever I go so it can take me where I need to go.

Sending you love and strength,

Dave