🧘‍♀️ how to be the best you - the power of intentions w/rita gigliotti

in a world that often finds it spinning about too fast, where success is often measured by endless to-do lists with how many boxes were checked or how many trophies are up on the shelf, the power of intention remains one of the most transformative, but overlooked forces in our lives. whether we are setting goals for ourselves, or just trying to navigate the emotions we go through with our daily lives, our intentions shape the outcomes that we experience. to get into this a little more, i talked to rita gigliotti, a music educator of over twenty years of experience in the performing arts. she is currently pursuing her phd in music education, specifically in teacher well-being. rita’s personal battle with cushing’s disease deepened her passion for the healing power of music, leading her to pursue studies in music for well-being. with all of this experience under her belt, she was the best person to talk about this topic in more detail. 

so what are intentions? intentions are more than just a wish or goal we make, but a conscious decision, something energy-driven by event action and thought. she describes them well by clearing intentions as a mindset, a motivation, or a “conscious thought” that we hope we will manifest into reality. intentions are a beautiful bridge between our thoughts and actions, between our desires and the outcomes. an easy to understand example is telling yourself that “i intend to eat healthily today”. there probably is a purpose behind why you are telling yourself this. but the true power of the intention lies in its execution and the energy that is invested in following through with it. 

intentions and culture

for those with a spiritual background, intentions are mostly applied using faith and prayer. words said during prayer mean so much; they form a connection between thought, energy, and belief. from childhood, many of us were made to see that there is power in words, both those spoken aloud and those held silently. but, appreciating that power demands time and experience. even those without a religious background set intentions daily. they may make those connections in a different way. those who actively take up mindfulness practice, meditation, or self-inquiry will have a greater understanding of their intentions and hence make changes in their lives at a much deeper level.

the role of intention in healing

healing, when split into physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, largely depends on intention. getting over an illness or personal struggle consists of taking small conscious steps. rita talked about herself, too. she had undergone brain surgery and the simplest task made her put effort into performing even that.

“i will try to get up today."

“i can move my body in easily manageable ways."

“i will treat myself well as I go through this."

these minute moments form a sort of direction, which is momentum; hence, development could be unraveled across the expanse of time. to nurse back to health from a physical ailment, emotional pain, or plain old burnout, daily intentions are the compass to where you want to go with recovery.

words and energy: the science behind intention

words carry with them a certain energetic frequency, which affects not only the speaker but the listener as well. scientific studies with words over water and plants show that there is meaning to positive words creating harmony and negative words creating disarray. given the impact words can have on the molecular structure of water, one can only imagine their potential within the human mind and body. think for a moment what happens when someone tells you ‘you have done a great job!’ as opposed to when someone says ‘you are not good enough.’ one statement adds to your energy, while the other one takes the spirit out of you. the same goes for how we talk to ourselves. negative self-talk will keep amplifying self-doubt and fear, while positive affirmations will create confidence and strength. it matters how you talk to yourself! so begin with changing the inner dialogue consciously: instead of “i can’t do this” say “i am learning and growing.”

consumerism - our weakness?

in today’s world, wellness and mindfulness have become basically buzzwords, often promoted as quick fixes. meditation apps, self-help books, and trendy healthy habits, flood social media, promising instant change. but true healing and personal growth can’t be commercialized and advertised as a quick fix. it is anything but quick. many people sign up for a 30-day challenge, a new diet, or a self-improvement course, only to quit after a few days. but why? because intention has no power without commitment. to truly benefit from these practices, we must consistently and intentionally incorporate them into our lives. rather than jumping from one wellness trend to another, focus on sustainable change: start with a small, manageable habit and think about how it makes you feel. build from there. real change doesn’t happen through fleeting trends, but through conscious, repeated effort.

the power of intention is undeniable. it shapes our healing, our relationships, and our overall well-being. but intention alone is not enough—it must be accompanied by action, awareness, and self-compassion. so ask yourself: what intentions do i set for myself today? how do i implement them? am i speaking to myself with kindness and truth? by aligning our thoughts, words, and actions, we create a life that is not only purposeful but truly fulfilling. let’s start each day with purpose, knowing that the energy we invest in our intentions has the power to shape our reality.

💻 rita gigliotti's website - https://www.ritagigliotti.com/

📱 rita gigliotti's instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rita_gigliotti_/

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