Once Upon a Time …
Don’t you just love stories that start that way? I do. It immediately gets your mind prepared to imagine. As you listen or read, you conjure up images of distant lands and long-awaited dreams coming true.
Whether you consider yourself a writer or not, we’re all jotting down our lives, day by day through the choices we make. And, my story was made infinitely more exciting when I discovered the power of intentions.
Much has happened since I crafted my original intention list back in Dec. ‘07. With Intentional Serenity and my friend,Teena’s help, I found many areas in my life to improve and alter. But, more than that, I found a passion to pursue my life like I never had before.
As I look back at that list, I see things like:
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I am ending each day in prayer with Greg
I am exercising 3 times/week for 30 minutes
I am writing for companies I admire
I am singing a song I wrote in front of an audience
Check, Check, Check, double Check . . .
Little did I know, at that time, the true power of intentions. Of course, it’s not the list in itself that does it, but the thinking, searching and sharing you do in the process. Then, it’s up to you to live with those intentions in mind. That’s when the story gets really interesting.
Looking back, I can say 2008 was my most joyful year. And, I can already see how 2009 will surpass it in many ways. I’m grateful for intentions and having a prayerful determination to stay focused on the positive. 2008 wasn’t without disappointments and challenges. But, my attitude was different. And, I surrounded myself with people who built me up and supported me.
But, it wasn’t just about me, me, me.
I opened the door to who I really was and that freed me up to give more to others. I didn’t have to waste time being anybody else or doing things I thought I should be doing. It’s liberating to be yourself.
You must accept and embrace who you are, with talents and abilities unmatched by anyone else. There’s only one you and only you can serve in that role.
I’ve embraced myself and my gifts. Through my intention list, my primary focus, has become singing and writing music. The great thing is that it feels so natural. I wholeheartedly agree with the person who said, “find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I chuckle when I think I get to spend my time creating and playing. My story keeps getting better. I wake up with an idea in my mind of where it’s going, but with gratefulness and anticipation, I turn the page.
Everyone has something to contribute and that is what’s so wonderful about working with shelters, women’s groups, non-profits and ministries. We get to encourage others to find their voice and share their story. Through the creation of your intention list, you can determine what type of story you want to write.
What is an INTENTION LIST?
I’ll tell you what it’s not. It’s not a bunch of resolutions or things you think you should do at the start of a new year. An intention list is sifting through all of that and finding what’s true for you. It’s about finding clarity around your life’s purpose and passions. It’s declaring in a very personal way, what you are going after. And, then very simply – taking bold steps toward that.
Start writing your story right now.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
- Edith Wharton
