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Live Intentionally
By Tammy | April 27, 2008
I love “self-help” books. I read far more of this type of book than any other. Topics range from spiritual to style to parenting to decorating and so much more. Admittedly, I more frequently than I should, read the book, enjoy it but don’t follow the instructions to better myself. Do you do that? I think many of us do, that is why our shelves are filled with so many of this type of book. We are searching for the ONE that speaks to us, reflects our lives, provides great advice that we can easily apply and quickly see results (that is how our world works now, right? Instant results or it’s not worth the wait?)
I do think that in the library of books I own, each book teaches me a special lesson. Each one has at least one thing I can apply and utilize in my life. From “21 Surprisingly Simple Steps to a Great Life” by Dr. Steve Stephens I have learned to Live Intentionally. As a wife, mom, woman, daughter, friend, business owner, business partner, writer, homeowner (and seller), and so much more… I find that life can be such a whirl wind of things happening that all of a sudden, a day, a week, a month has passed by. In that whirl wind of activity I often let things happen simply because I feel too busy to “deal with it”. Had I stopped to make a choice in the matter, it could have turned out so much differently.
In Step 2 of the book states this:
“Life is full of choices.
In 1845 Henry David Thoreau chose to move out of a comfortable home to live alone in the woods in a house he built himself a mile from his nearest neighbor. He lived there for two years and two months. When asked why he would do such a thing, he replies, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately…and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived…I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life. ”
Living life intentionally makes all the difference.
Your life is the sum of all the choices you make… Lack of choices leads to lack of direction, and that takes us nowhere. Not making choices or being passive gets us in a rut. The longer we stay in the rut, the more we grow stagnant.
…Choices move us forward; they cause us to grow. Our choices demonstate who we really are. They show our character and shape our destiny.”
Now, I am not suggesting you need to move to the woods for 2 years to be alone and live intentionally! I am, however, encouraging you to begin making choices again if you have been stagnant for a while. Get excited about the direction your life can take. Make decisions to drive it forward whether it is a career opportunity, igniting the spark in your marriage, teaching your children a new skill or getting yourself dressed and ready each morning so you look your best each day.
“Join me on this journey. Wake Up. Choose to live with purpose and direction. Choose to live intentionally and make choices daily to affirm who you are and what your believe.”~ Dr. Stephe Stephens
Topics: Book Reviews, Monday Motivation |
April 28th, 2008 at 6:37 am
WOW!! Awesome post Tammy! It’s like you were reading my mind! I need to pick up that book ! Thanks for the referral!
April 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Angie, the book is really good and I got more from this one than just the ONE good thing
April 28th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
That quote from Henry David Thoreau is one of my favorites. Thanks for the excellent reminder to “suck all the marrow out of life.”
April 28th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Stephanie, it’s a good reminder to have frequently, isn’t it? It takes practice every day to remember to live intentionally!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Great post!
It is so very true.. life is all about the choices we make.
In academics, in health choices, in the beauty products we buy, the choice with whom we decide to spend our life!
Great book to read
Cheers!
Sharon