Intentional.

My childhood was something like this: wake up, go to school, go to church, play sports, dance, sing, repeat. Of course, there were days were I did things I enjoyed like blogging, vlogging, learning to sew, hang out etc. But for the most part I did a lot of  tasks under the mindset of “you’re just suppose to” rather than the “let’s get it!”mindset. So if you asked me what did I do in the last five ( or even ten) years of my life, today I’d say I existed. I met my requirement in every place but I was never really…Intentional. Because average was okay, I made the cut. But who’s really happy making the cut? I know I really wasn’t.

Now, here is where I can insert my sob story on how I grew up which is why I wasn’t intentional, but I won’t throw my valuable energy there, because I just don’t want to and it won’t benefit you or even myself.

One day, I got tired of doing the daily do’s and had to ask myself realistic questions because I was not happy being average. What do you want Rachel? Are you happy? Are you successful? How much do you care about your success? What do you even define as success?  I saw others succeed and wanted the same. Not their story exactly, but success in how it was properly defined for me. I began asking them questions, no matter how silly I felt, and answering my own questions for what they were.

Hearing the answers did hurt. But that “hurt” brought forth change. Some days better than others. But little by little, a new flower was sprouting! A happy intentional one.

In being intentional, I am able to understand what my goals are clearly and do things with meaning. For example, I no longer go to work because I have to (granted, I really do have to). But I make the most of work. If I am going to work, I am going to be the best at what I do. I want to be the best hugger/lover. I want to be the best sister, daughter, wife, friend, you NAME it.

And all of those best exist in outdoing myself. In outdoing myself, I have strategies on what I do to track my life and my success and slip ups (which will bring forth success). I longer want to be average. I have NO desire in doing so. I find joy in being intentional. Whatever I take part in, I put high expectation within myself to strive and do it with the greatest intent ever.

Are you striving? Are you happy with where you at? Don’t be average. Imagine how great you could be if only you did things with meaning?

Shalom,

Rachel Nadine