When the last cheers rang, the streams of Happy 2015 text messages faded, and you found yourself tucked away in bed on the eve of New Years’ Day, what did you expect would come next?
For me, it was hard to say goodbye to 2014. It was my best year because for the first time in my life, I decided to embark on a rewarding challenge of living with intention. And even better, I began to see the fruit of my labor.
The Fancy Word
I like to think of “living with intention” as the fancy way to say, I finally got the courage to get bold with the areas of my life (domains) that were slipping out of reach, or worse – areas I thought I could never reach for x amount of reasons, obstacles, or limiting thoughts.
It all started at a weekend Intentional Living Retreat, where I was challenged to identify aspects of my life that I wanted to improve, or new areas I wish to attain. For me, this was no easy task. It first required that I imagine my life differently and envision the change necessary to create my new life into existence.
Declaring 5-10 Domains
With pen and paper in hand, I eagerly awoke dormant desires and goals that had long been forgotten. I even discovered new dreams that were so far-off into the future, it had been previously difficult to see them. Eventually, with a renewed perspective, I diagnosed the state of each one and began to analyze what steps I needed to take, in order to set them into motion.
What I’ve Learned So Far
Living with intention is not for the faint of heart. It requires unwavering commitment, mid-course corrections, self-motivation, and most importantly grace for the days when you drift away (because you often will). It’s more than just New Years’ resolutions or goal setting, it’s a continual process of recreating methods and strategies to holistically become a better you.
While last year was my greatest year, it doesn’t mean that 2015 can’t be greater. In fact, even if the New Year has not started out the way you wanted it to, you can still find the courage to begin or re-commit to the beautiful journey of intentional living.
If you want to get started, but don’t know how, we invite you to contact Luz Canino-Baker directly, or consider meeting Luz by attending the Art of Empowerment Conference for women on April 9, 2015.
Written by Linda E. Alberty, M.A., Latinas On The Plaza Mastermind Leader & Advisory Board Member
