"When our motives are wrong, nothing else can be right." ~Stephen R. Covey

Why is this? Why do our motives and intentions matter so much? Why is it that even when an individual seems to be doing all the right things, we turn away in disgust when we discover they had wrong intentions? What are intentions anyway? And how are they playing a vital role in how we see ourselves, others and the world?

Most importantly, though, what do our children need to understand about intention? How is intention connected to actions, behavior and character? And how can understanding these connections empower us to train up children of noble character?

This podcast answers these questions and more, as Audrey explores the very critical concept of intention!

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

2:00  Return to Covey story from "Principles Stink!" podcast

5:16   The definition of intention  

8:37  Action vs. behavior  

12:00  Goodness and character  

13:53  The best way to build a child of noble character

17:35   A principle for teaching your child

21:18  Can you live principles with the wrong intention?

23:00  Wrong intention erodes character

26:00  Intention is either about you or others  

29:44  Audrey's wrong intention in her relationships  

Quotes from this episode:

"Intention: mind strained on an object; eager in pursuit of an object; anxiously diligent; design, purpose, meaning." ~Webster's 1828 Dictionary

"Right actions do lead to good thinking, and thinking good does sponsor right actions, just as improper thoughts can produce undesirable acts." ~Neil J. Flinders

"Encouraging and emphasizing right actions among children (birth to puberty) is the most productive, while encouraging and emphasizing good thoughts and intentions is the most appropriate and productive approach for adults (puberty through adulthood)." ~Neil J. Flinders

"Viewing others' actions means that we must comprehend their intentions as well as their behavior. It means that we must put ourselves in the others' shoes, as the saying goes. This means empathizing, using our capacity to participate in another person's feelings and ideas." ~Neil J. Flinders

"When our motives are wrong, nothing else can be right." ~Stephen R. Covey

"I realized that Sandra and I had been getting social mileage out of our children's good behavior, and, in our eyes, this son simply didn't measure up. Our image of ourselves, and our role as good, caring parents was even deeper than our image of our son and perhaps influenced it." ~Stephen R. Covey

"If we do not have morality and intention, we are not truly acting in the world; we are not free." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

Books from this episode: