ARE YOU LIVING INTENTIONALLY?
What if we told you that there was something you could do that would not only benefit the world, but would also allow you to improve your own life on a major scale? We hear you laughing and laughing. Sure, you think to yourself. What is it?
Don’t worry, we aren't going to try to sell you anything. Except a way of life.
You can thank us later.
It’s called Intentional Living. Go ahead, say it. What is it? It means what it sounds like. Living your life with intent, with purpose. Being aware. Understanding your own choices, motivations, and actions and how they affect countless others. From children in foreign sweatshops to the person sitting next to you on the bus.
On a global scale, Intentional Living means you should know where the products you purchase come from. You should know all the way back to who made them and how they travelled to you. And who makes the money. This is the only planet we have—air and water are global resources. And fair trade is fair. Sprawling factories are neither fair nor environmentally friendly. Small choices add up.
Be aware of the food you buy. Your responsibility doesn’t stop at the cash register. It goes all the way back to the growing of the food. Or the slaughtering of the animal.
Be mindful of all your purchases. Buy less. Make them more meaningful purchases. Buy local where you can. The 100-mile diet is an excellent example of Intentional Living.
That’s some of what the world gains from your Intentional Living. But let’s get to what you gain. First, there are some changes to be made. You must critically engage with the choices you make both in your social life and career.
Why are your friends your friends? That’s a biggie—motivational speaker Jim Rhon says, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Do you admire and respect these people? Would you like to be more like them? Or do you find yourself continually changing your values to fit in? If it’s the latter, this is not your group.
And how about your career path? Are you going in the right direction? Or do you do it to put food on the table? Many of us have struggled with the dilemma of putting food on the table vs following our dreams. Make small decisions and small changes first. They will turn into larger ones. Write your dreams down. Write your goals down. Do one small thing every day that will get you closer to them.
Like the constant ocean waves that beat against rough rocks on the shore until they are smooth and round—the small habits you adopt with Intentional Living will change not only your own life—but the lives of others. It’s a movement whose time has come.
Be intentional. Be mindful. Be happy.
You’re welcome.