Intention. Intentional. Intentional living. Living on purpose.

I meant to do it.

“I meant to do it!” said no child ever when confronted by his mother with an infraction. At least he won’t admit to doing it on purpose. Yet, our actions and the course of our life do come from intentional decisions. It might just be that the intentional decision was the unintentional result of lack of intentional decision.

Did you follow that? Me neither. So let’s break it down.

Life is the accumulation of lots of decision and intentions. At times, it is also the failure to plan or be intentional that defines life.

This week we are in Sedona, Arizona with my husband’s sisters and their spouses. Last night, as we hiked up Doe Mountain to watch the sunset, the eight of us talked about some tragedies that have occurred in our various communities the last number of weeks. We were reminded how quickly life changes and reaffirmed our intentional decision to plan time together on a regular routine.

That started me thinking. How often do I say, “When I get to this age/milestone, I will….” But what if I don’t reach that age or milestone. Always waiting to get to some nebulous point in the future to make that change, do that thing, form a good habit, repair a relationship, learn a new skill or take a vacation.

How would life look differently if I lived with intention? What changes would I make? I recently set my intention and I already see benefit in the two weeks since I did it. Here’s what I decided: no matter where I find myself laying down to sleep, I will live with joy with no regret or guilt for wherever I am.

⁸And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Phillipians 4:8-9

What are you putting aside until later? How can you live with intention right now? Is it relationships that need mending? Vacations that need taking? Skills learned? Mindsets changed?

I think it’s time to make the change! Set your intention and live on purpose!