Be Intentional 2023

  Habits play an important role in multiple aspects of our lives: mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health, productivity, relationships, and self-esteem. It's worth noting that there are times in our lives when we may need to build new habits, more helpful habits, and change habits that no longer align with our needs. We are never too old to create new habits and that's great news for those of us with aging, changing bodies. I want to make a distinction between habits and routines. According to healthine.com habits differ from routines because habits typically involve little to no conscious thought, while routines typically require some intention and discipline. With that said, if we do it right, our habits can flawlessly become part of our daily routine. And when that happens, life becomes better. It is helpful to know that there are multiple habit focus areas. A few are: Preventive habits like taking a vitamin each day or brushing your teeth each day. Eating habits ...

  I've been thinking a lot about maintaining strong relationships during trials. What is it that keeps people together when it would be easier to drift apart or walk away? Why do people stay and fight for a relationship? What do they get out of staying together?  Every relationship will have its peaks and valleys. Every relationship will bring joy and sorrow. How we navigate both strengthens or destroys the relationship.  According to thehealthyjournal.com close to 70% of relationships fail within the first year, while 40% of marriages end in divorce. The statistics for divorce increase to 50%+ for occupations such as military personnel, health care workers, and law enforcement. Those are staggering numbers to me. Marriages are falling apart at an alarming rate: 2.3 persons per 1,000 people. Even more surprising to me is that divorces amongst people aged 50+ years are rising. The US divorce rate is the third highest in the world with the average length of a marriage in th...

  Don't you hate it when life doesn't go as planned? When things come up that force you into a pause? I know they say it's good to stop and pause, to reset and recalibrate, but I only like to do that on my terms, not when life chooses for me. Those unexpected challenges that pop up in life and throw your plans out of whack, they're just annoying!  I'm not sad to see this month move on. We've had a few unexpected challenges pop up recently, some mild and some a little more intense. These challenges have put a crimp in our plans. They're messing with our mojo. They're throwing off our groove. And we aren't happy about it! We are in a pause period and to be honest, we are ready to move on. Pausing isn't really one of our strengths as a couple. We are doers and goers! We've been here many times before. My Book of Quotes is filled with phrases focusing on overcoming challenges, looking for the good in every situation, making the best of the pause ...

  I read an article titled What God Talks About by Phillip Snyder. In the article he shares that in his early twenties he spent a lot of time focusing on the problems within Christianity and he was quite vocal about it. Then one day his heart was changed while reading John 17 verses 20-23:  "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and has loved them, as thou hast loved me." The context of these verses was not lost on Mr. Snyder. Jesus is praying to the Father right before He is to go to the Garden of Gethsemane, and then the cross. This is the last time he would...

  Whatever happened to using your manners? I am often shocked by the lack of manners in our society. The rudeness, the language, the total disregard for another person's feelings. It's a terrifying sign of our times. Sadly, it appears to be a growing problem for our society. It causes contention, divisiveness, and is usually a sign of a declining society. It should give everyone cause for concern that our society is deteriorating in this area, it doesn't end well if we can't get it together. In my efforts to live intentionally I believe that manners will play a large role in my behavior. I was taught that manners, courtesy, politeness and etiquette were important to one's success in this life. It wasn't up for debate that you would say please when requesting something, and you would say thank you when you received it. You opened doors for others, you looked them in the eye when they spoke to you, you shook hands when appropriate, you watched your language, and y...

  In Matthew 10:16 Jesus is preparing to send his apostles out to preach and he gives them this advice: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." The phrase 'wise as serpents' has always intrigued me. Each time I come across this phrase it compels me to research it more and see how it applies to my life.  One tip I learned for studying the scriptures is to find the definition of the words and then replace those words with the definitions to see if it gives you more clarity about the meaning. I started with some words in Matthew 10:16: sheep:  1. a domesticated ruminant animal with a thick woolly coat and curving horns. It is kept in flocks for its wool and meat and is proverbial for its tendency to follow others in the flock.  2. a person who is too easily influenced or led. wolf:   1. a wild carnivorous mammal of the dog family, living and hunting in packs. 2. used figuratively to refe...

  I recently read a Facebook post from the author Al Carraway in which she stated that over the last 10 years she has received messages from people of her faith that are judgmental and derogatory. Messages that have brought her to tears more than once. Messages about the way she looks and how she is not a good example to others of her faith because of her looks.  Al is not the typical member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she once was known as the tattooed Mormon because she has lots of tattoos. Her tattoos never bothered me because her sweet spirit and her joy for the gospel was so infectious. She found her relationship with her Heavenly Father and her Saviour Jesus Christ, and she was all in! She has shared her story of how her relationship with her Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ came about, and she has invited others to feel the Spirit and build their own relationships with them. That's what I think about when I think of Al, not how she looks.  ...