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Sideline Power & Subjective Intention

Posted on: March 21, 2010by Dr Kim Dr Hil

Sideline Power

There is no such thing as being a passive witness or innocent bystander in the realm of creation. Everything counts. Whether you are thinking, feeling, acting, imagining or noticing, you are creating. This explains why it is that people keep thinking about what they don't want even when they're highly motivated to create what they do want. If you're in a situation you don't want and you notice it, you're thinking about it. This means you're intending its persistent presence. For instance, let's say you have a significant amount of debt and your goal is to create financial freedom. When you pay your monthly bills and notice your bank account balance is significantly lower than your desired financial freedom, you've just observed the opposite of what you want, thereby counteracting your goal of financial freedom. So, how are you supposed to focus on what you want if your current situation is something you don't want, and merely noticing your current situation is enough to cancel out your positive intention? Three criteria of creation that will shed some light on this.

Criteria of Creation

Criteria #1 Whatever you hold in mind via your thoughts and emotions has generative power. You are always creating something whether you are talking about it, thinking about it or noticing it.

Criteria #2 You cannot go back in time and undo what has already been done. The way to change something is not by focusing on (or observing) what you don't want, instead simply focus on what you do want!

Criteria #3 All noticing is subjective. This is the key. When you notice your current reality, witness it with subjective intention. You have likely heard it said before, perception is reality. Well, you choose how you are going to perceive your life circumstances thereby making them your reality.

Subjective Intention

Your subjective intention is vitally important to creating what you want. There are three basic subjective intentions you can choose to view your life circumstances from;
1. Favorable
2. Neutral
3. Unfavorable

Anything that you witness or notice can be assigned one of these three subjective intentions. Let's say that you witness your current financial situation and it's not even close to where you want it to be. It is okay to recognize this and accept things as they are. However, at the same time that you are noticing your situation, you are anticipating a possible outcome. You are either anticipating that a) your financial situation will get better b) your financial situation will stay the same or c) your financial situation will get worse. Although you may not be aware of this underlying belief, it is always present on some level.

Your Creative Power

Given that you would like for your financial situation to get better, which bias do you want to assume? Obviously, the favorable bias would support you to apply your creative power wisely. In your life circumstances, look for any shred of how your current situation is enabling you to achieve your target goal. The following Power Questions will assist you to do this in the moment.

How is this situation assisting me to achieve your desired goals?
What are you grateful for in this situation?
How is this allowing you to take the next steps towards achieving your goals?
What is working about this situation?

Optimistic Perception

Do your best to view your current situation in a favorable light. You may have to do some searching but believe us it is worth the time to find an optimistic perception on your current reality. Another trick, while you are observing, especially if you are not yet where you want to be, visualize yourself getting where you want to go. Visualize yourself achieving your goals and allow your current circumstances to serve you by focusing on how they are motivating or inspiring you to move forward.

Coaching and Counseling

Hilary Stokes Ph.D. and Kim Ward Ph.D. have been a team for 20 years, specializing in mind, body, spirit psychology. They are the authors of the bestselling books The Happy Map: Your roadmap to the habit of happiness and Manifesting Mindset: The 6-step formula for attracting your goals and dreams and founders of Authenticity Associates Coaching and Counseling. They are passionate about combining the best of holistic and traditional approaches to health and happiness. If you are interested in learning the answers to the most frequently asked questions on how to decrease stress and increase happiness sign up for their free video series.

About the Authors

Hilary Stokes Phd

HIlary Stokes, Ph.D., LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist in California with more than 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in trauma therapy, PTSD treatment, anxiety, depression, and nervous system healing. She holds Master's degrees in Clinical Social Work and Kinesiology and Sports Psychology and a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. Dr. Stokes is extensively trained and certified in brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and other mind body approaches. Her integrative work bridges neuroscience, mindfulness, and holistic psychology to help clients process unresolved trauma, rewire stress patterns, and build emotional resilience.

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Dr. Stokes’ clinical approach is informed by advanced professional training and her own healing journey from complex trauma, which shaped her commitment to therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals, addiction and PTSD treatment centers, universities, integrative medical facilities, and private practice. As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programming at Sanoviv Medical Institute, she witnessed firsthand the power of integrating mind and body for lasting transformation. Today she helps individuals heal trauma, strengthen emotional regulation and reclaim purpose through brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and mindfulness interventions.

Kim Ward Phd

Kim Ward, Ph.D. holds both a masters and a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. She brings more than 25 years of experience in trauma recovery, Brainspotting and mind-body transformation. She is extensively trained and certified in Brainspotting, somatic therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. Dr. Ward integrates neuroscience, nervous system regulation and consciousness-based psychology to help individuals process unresolved trauma, shift limiting beliefs, and access greater emotional resilience. Her work focuses on healing at the root, beyond symptom management, through brain-body therapies that create lasting change.

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As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programs at Sanoviv Medical Institute, Dr. Ward brings a uniquely holistic perspective to trauma therapy and personal growth. Her path from corporate leadership into psychology shaped her commitment to helping clients move beyond external success toward embodied fulfillment and emotional freedom. Dr. Ward's expertise combines Brainspotting, emotional intelligence, contemplative psychology and purpose-driven coaching. Drawing from both advanced academic training and lived experience navigating complex family mental health dynamics, she supports clients in transforming stress patterns, reclaiming vitality, and aligning with authentic purpose.