The world is crazy sometimes. Getting crazier with tragedies, war, politics, and more. But we can also find moments of reflection, of empathy, and gratitude for what we DO have, even amidst the loss, fear, and stress. These kinds of events can also serve as wake up calls for life…what are the things we’re supposed to be doing in life. How should we “be” in the world? How can we love more…love ourselves and love one another? Over the years it’s made me think more intentionally about how I’m living. For, as cliché as the saying goes, we only have this one life. What are you doing with yours?
Here’s how I think about living with intention in the way I want to be in this world. For me, it comes down to three things:
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Doing
I deeply believe that life is very much what you make it…moreover…what we actually DO every day. So through tiny steps of “doing” every day, we’re creating our life and a legacy. Are you doing the things you want to DO in the world?
There is always something we can do right now that can move the needle that next small step toward our goals.
If you’re not sure what you want to do or what your goals are, then take the time to figure it out by doing a lot of things and then following the ones that speak to you.
Try the perfect day exercise from Lewis Howes.
Being
If the “doing” part is action, then “being” is how you “are” or rather how you hold yourself as you move through. What’s in your head? Are you emotionally moving through life the way you want? Are you peaceful? Are you present and literally being in the moment even when things get hard?
I believe it and science supports me – happiness is directly proportional to your mental state. If you’re not happy in your mental state, what are you doing to help inform it?
How can you cultivate yourself as a human “being” more than a human “doing”.
In the past, I’ve shared my secrets to finding beauty, which is all about awareness and living in the present moment.
Loving
Love is everything. In order to be your best, you have to take care of yourself first and foremost. It’s important to love yourself and be okay with making mistakes. To be vulnerable, to radically accept ourselves and one another. For, after all, we’re all human. If you’re taking care of yourself emotionally & physically, you’ll have increased capability to love & give to others. Again, love is everything. Yet another way to think about love is this… Do you love who you are? Who have you become? What are you doing? If not, you can change those things.
If you need a little recharge, I have 3 recommended sources that can point you in the right direction:
- Yours truly + Liz Gilbert. Liz talks about something that has stuck with me to this day. Yes, she’s a writer, but her real full time job is her mental health.
- Any episode with Brené Brown. Her work cuts through the BS like no one else I know.
- Adrienne Bankert spoke at length about how kindness is a super power, not only to each other, but also to ourselves.
We are inundated with negativity and tragedy – some real, some imagined. Some are outside our control. Yet, what we can control is our intention, our attention, and how we are in the world.
Reflection, empathy, authenticity and gratitude are powerful tools in our toolbelt. When we feel overwhelmed they are there for us to tap into.
So let this episode be a bit of a reminder – There’s more to life than a list of achievements and goals. You can look for things that bring you energy and joy, the rest will always be there.
Enjoy!
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