intentionality 2017

I like January 1st.

It's actually one of my favorite days of the entire year.

Next to my birthday. That's always my favorite.

And I don't feel bad not saying Jesus's birthday is my favorite, because we don't actually know what day that was.

See how I did that? Boom. You're welcome.

Back to January 1st.

January 1st is like a new cozy blanket that just came out of the dryer.

It's that good. You wrap it around yourself and you feel totally untouchable.

Like nothing bad can even come in your direction, and you could probably fly if you wanted to.

But then February comes creeping in like a cold breeze, gusting towards you through the front door that your brother left open.

And then she snatches all that warm cozy goodness out of your life and jolts you back to reality.

I'm a real optimist over here. Again, you're welcome.

So, I started thinking about my 2017 theme back in August, because, well, I'm an overachiever.

And I wondered how I could potentially keep the momentum we all get in January and keep it going throughout the year.

You know, when the gym is the BEST idea you've ever had, and you are FINALLY going to get organized?

That momentum. The momentum that dies somewhere around January 30th and February 1st.

Back to the topic at hand though.....

I seriously contemplated keeping simplicity for another year.

You know, like a Simplicicity 2.0 - real creative.

It just taught me so much, and I felt like I grew more than I ever had in previous years.

But, I couldn't shake the feeling that doing the theme for another year would set me back rather than propel me forward.

I firmly believe in doing my themes for a year, learning all I can, and then letting them go.

Kind of like moving through grades in school. Maybe you don't learn everything perfectly in the 5th grade, but you aren't really supposed to. You learn it the best you can, and then you graduate to 6th grade.

In lieu of doing another year of simplicity, I started focusing on everything simplicity had taught me.

Honing in on those specifics, and then vision casting what I could do with those things.

Simplicity showed me how much more capacity I have for things and people than I realize. It revealed to me that which I truly value, and that which I don't care about one way or the other.

Simplicity exposed where I rely on myself instead of relying on God. And it taught me that in order to get what you want, you have to let go.

That's when I landed on this theme of intentionality.

I realized that I could take the things I had learned, focus intently on them, and see what a year of focus does for my life.

For Example:

I want to read more books. Which means I will probably be watching less tv.
I want to watch less tv. Which means I will need to be intentional about when I do and don't want it.
I want to build my side hustle. Which means I just might have time if I watch less tv and put away my cellphone.
I want to be more productive.
I want to continue my wellness journey.
I want to go back to school.

Simplicity showed me I have the capacity for all these things, but I am hoping Intentionality will show me I have the time, determination and drive as well.

I think sometimes I give up before seeing the end result or seeing something through to fruition.
And I want to challenge myself to push through the ugly in order to get to what I really want.

I want to see if I am really capable of all the things I think I am in my head.
I want my daydreams to become reality.
I want to whole heartedly seek God and know Him better.

Again, much like last year, I am not sure where this journey will take me, but I'm happy to be on it.

Stay tuned.... I'm talking about television next... And it might get gnarly...

#intentionality2017