What comes to mind when I think of the phrase intentional living ?
- Reliability
- Dependable
- Time conscious/Punctual
- Resilience
- Focus
- Purpose driven
These are things I hold to great esteem and qualities I admire most in people and values I work on daily.Some days I thrive in intentional living while on other days I ask myself why, “why is this important to me?’ Especially when society portrays people who “YOLO” as those that really enjoy life.
To be honest, being intentional sucks at times.It would be perfect if one lived a solitary life but well, life is communal with 7.6 billion other humans; one birth every 8 seconds and one death every 11 seconds- Net gain of one person every 14 secs (United States Census Bureau)
So this is how I exercise intentional living!⇓
1. Pursuing God
Be it putting on a good YouTube Playlist of Hillsong, reading my devotional or talking to God. This probably is the most important for me as i am able to seek God truly then He steers my heart and mind to that which honors Him.
I also love the You Version Bible App for plans that I can do daily and get reminders on my phone soon as I wake up to plug in!
2. Deep Dives
When life or work seems to be getting ahead of me I take a breather, listen to myself think.Yes, listen and jot down my thoughts
I enjoy getaways, to see things from a different perspective.I LOVE going to the helipad KICC.There’s something therapeutic about looking at Nairobi from high up there and everything is so minute.
Also, every beginning of the month I do a report/self-check “Taking Stock” of where I’m at and looking at where I want to go in the new month. At times I’m able to evaluate and plan for an entire month other times I do it weekly.
3. Speaking of Planning.
Every day before I start my day I write all that needs to get done be it on my sticky notes app, on my computer or in my notebook.I gladly tick what I get done at the end of the day and sometimes I get everything done and other days I don’t.
The intentional bit is having a purpose for the day and if it’s not met, i either carry it to the next day or “burn the midnight oil”.
4) Saying NO/YES when I Really Mean it.
Now this is a hard one because maybe you associate no with rejection and maybe you fear hurting people’s feelings.No hunnie, no is a complete statement that doesn’t need justification.Try it today, well be careful when it comes to your boss or spouse.
Say yes more!Say yes to the things that set your soul on fire.Is it that business you’ve always dreamt of starting? Is it serving in the Children’s ministry? Could also be the little joys of life,well, that dreamy crazy unhealthy milkshake!Go for it!
5) Accountability.
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
Accept correction and you’ll find life
Proverbs 10:17
A couple of years ago I resented correction because I equated it with being less than or inadequate but how I wish, I’d learnt that it was for my own good.Now I find that the company I keep and who with the varying seasons of life have changed, they’ve checked me and even checked up on me in moments where I’ve been unable to see myself drowning or where something/someone has been drowning me.
People who know me for who I am and who remind me what I am, where I want to go when I can’t see it clearly.Most importantly they remind me about God.
Those are my top tips! Leave a comment and let us know how you are living intentionally!
Mercy Kinyodah is a friend/contributor to the site, a digital marketing consultant, CEO at Blossom Consultants and blogger at Maisha Intentional an amazing site where she shares more on intentional living,her life and passions.She loves the Lord and is happily married to the love of her life!
Go check her out!
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