I got a ticket yesterday morning on my way to church. It seems that I am always in a hurry anymore. At the time I was pulled over I was 1. driving & hurrying to church 2. finishing putting on my make up 3. trying to eat breakfast 4. drinking a coke, and 5. listening to a book on tape. Five things. Five.
Yes, while I was driving I was doing four other things at the same time. I'm all for productivity and multi-tasking, but yesterday's ticket made me stop and think. Do I really need to rush so much? Do I really need to be productive every minute of the day? Why am I always rushing? Why am I always out the door five minutes later than I wanted to be? What the heck is so important anyway?
I've been thinking and thinking about my word for 2011. Last year my word was Leap, and boy did it shape my year. My word for 2009 was Yes. What about this year? What word will I choose to encapsulate all my hopes for the coming 12 months?
I want to choose a word that indicates growth and doing and movement and making things happen. But, yesterday morning has me thinking that I might need a word that indicates slowing down, breathing, rest, and being on time.
What I really want is to be intentional; to make choices instead of relying on habits and reacting to circumstances. Yes, I want to make choices and grow creatively. Yes, I want to be a dreamer and not just a doer. Yes, I want and desperately need to slow down, to rest, and to refresh. I want both.
What I really want is to live 2011 with intention. I want to choose what I want to do and when. I want to take initiative instead of only reacting. I want to stop drifting from chore to chore, task to task, and start doing what I intend. I want to make choices instead of relying on habit. I want to move more, connect more, write more, rest more, sleep more, laugh more, create more beauty, and photograph more. My habits are too-often not reflective of my real values. I want to live with intention this year. I want to make choices. When it is time to rest, I want to rest. When it is time to work, I want to work. When it is time to play, I want to play. Whatever I do, I want it to be from choice, not habit. I want it to be intentional.
Happy 2011, my friends. May you live with intention. I plan to.
31 comments:
Intention is such a lovely and powerful word for a new year ... so often we sleepwalk through life ... being able and deciding to choose what we do in a given moment or given day is such a gift.
Best wishes to you in your intentional new year!
♥
Oh dear sorry about the ticket but it sounds like a blessing in disguise. Less is more and, yes, 'intentional' is a WONDERFUL motto to go by.
I look forward to your intentional year xx
Could it be this ticket was given to you by your angel...
Living with intention is such a wonderful phrase to have chosen for this New Year. It is something that is bound to let you slow down, and enjoy what you have. You might even gain time in the process, you never know ;-)
Intention is a good word. A perfect word. Everyone has wonderful words. I can't think of one. It seems as though I reject each and every one, and I can't figure out why, since I tend to accept just about everything else that comes my way. I hope I find one by the end of the month. I intend to!
intention is a very good word...and i think that ticket was your sign. have a wonderful week.
I think we all need to slow the pace down and savor the sweet simple things of life and cherish each moment to the fullest.
Slow we down Lord..............
Love you
Blessings
Love Jeanne
Relyn--you know our lives overlap in the most wonderful, mysterious ways. I, too, got a ticket last week-for the same reason. I took it as a sign to slow down, enjoy the moment--obviously I had been rushing and not living in the present! Dear friend, be well!
The older you get, the more important these things will become. I hope your year will be filled with intentions and will be very blessed.
Wow, we are really in sync, my blog post yesterday was "intention". That is a good state to be-in.
xoxoxo
Man I can relate to the multitasking! I read Cheaper by the Dozen a long while (as in years) back and seem to have been trying to pattern my life after it ever since!
Poor cop that pulled you over. Did you have time to talk to him??
I like your intention, too. Great choice.
"I'm in a hurry to get things done
I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die,
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why." Great song!
oh poo....dang ticket !
now that we live in a state with no texting....i do nothing but drive, afraid the cop will think i'm texting when i'm only looking for my chapstick.....
and i love intention.....i really do !
*Sigh* Thank you, Relyn...
You chose a great word. I am such a drifter from task to task... room to room. There's not much intention in my life it seems, which probably accounts for my grading essays three late nights in a row because I didn't get them done during Christmas break!
This may have to be my word for 2012. I guess I can start a word of the year list, right?
Well, okay but at least you were hurrying to church. :-) I think my word this year is gonna be "cruise". I'm going to cruise through life. I feel like at this stage of my life I can. I was going to suggest "ADHD" for your word (I know it' not really a word). You know that was a joke, right? :-)xxoo
Intention is a brilliant word and how like you to glean wisdom and insight from getting a traffic ticket. And this is how you constantly strive for improvement and growth in yourself and those around you. Bravo on your word and I know you will carry it as a banner in your forward charge into life this year! xo – g
I'm going to pursue holiness this year. Maybe not just like John Wesley, but he had the right idea.
Intention.
It fits you...good word!
I'm so glad I get to share
the road with you this year
...intentionally:)
(love this post!)
-Jennifer
Ooo...so sorry about the ticket, Relyn... but I love how the moment helped shape what your New Year will be about, your aspirations and goals. Intention is a splendid word to begin a year with. I look forward to be her with you to see your intentions unfolding. This year Live Slow--Live Well is my guideline... I'm excited! Happy Days ((HUGS))
I love that word- it says so much (without really needing to). I, personally think it goes hand in hand with integrity. I hear you- loud and clear. Good choice! Come see what word chose me! It will be up on Wed.
I'm finally getting a chance to stop by and wish you a happy new year! "Living with intention" are powerful words...what a beautiful choice for a focus!
ps Love your list to Sloan:) and the amazing tribute to your father.
Perfect word! I've been thinking how it feels as as though I've just been along for the ride the past few years ... looks like it's time for me to live with intention as well!
Great word Intention run with it harder than you think maybe well it is for me cause it is so easy to just do what has to be done, avoid what i can and then end up wishing i had been more focussed and thoughtful so intention what a great word. Go for it
Living with intention is a very good thing. Something I try to evaluate often, especially since I retired. I want everyday to count and not to do something just because I must do it but because I want to do it. Intention is a very good word. Sorry about the ticket.
Great word for this year. As you say, it's important to think about what you're doing, and not just do it out of habit's sake. Thanks for reminding the rest of us :)
Great word for the new year. This is my first year for choosing a word. It took me a little while to choose just the right one.
Sorry about the ticket, and it sounds like it was just the thing you may have needed at the time. I too am a multi-tasker and move through life way too fast! Realizing I may have missed a thing or two while speeding through.
Happy New Year to you!
Things happen for a reason!
Your choice of word is perfect.
I love your posts ... they make me think.... so much so I often don't get around to leaving a comment before you have posted again... and I am still pondering what you posted about before!
Yesterday I spent a lot of time thinking of a word for myself!
A very happy 'intentional' 2011 to you.
Karenx
I like wake-up calls....It's amazing how circumstances can wake our senses and become a moment of great teaching.
I am proud of you for a lesson learned and for your intention to make a change.
Hi Relyn, such a lovely word, intention, and what a good intention to have. I think we all ought to embrace it.
By the way, I love your blog.
Marianna
Sorry to hear about the ticket but over here they could have booked you for numbers 2, 3 & 4 too! Of course, like all women you excel at multi-tasking whereas we poor men have enough doing one thing at a time! I wish you well with your good intentions.
Now that is one heckuva word, and a great way to start the new year (not the ticket, but the word!). I have a feeling it's going to be a great year for us, Relyn. xo
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