What I was missing

When I know I am not at my best, I have more awareness of what is contributing to my not being at my best.

I can then figure out ways to get back to my best.

But sometimes I don’t know I am not at my best. It is only upon reflection where my awareness increases.

I can go through the entire day, making less than helpful decisions which further add to my not being at my best. At the end of that day, as I find myself glued to the couch with physical and mental exhaustion, it is only then I can begin to see the folly of my ways.

I could tell you about a recent experience, but I don’t want to bore you with the details. The details are not important here. The important thing is to figure out what is missing when that actually happens.

I think it is clear: my awareness is missing.

And my personal agency? Most definitely.

I guess that means I still have a lot of work to do. That’s OK. I’ve got the time.

What kind of work though?

I have been thinking a lot about intention. It is intention that goes hand in hand with awareness. A determination to act in a certain way, according to Merriam-Webster.

Like intentionally creating a purposeful routine to help me do what is important and meaningful.* Doesn’t that sound amazing? Almost magical?

So, what is important and meaningful to me?

That shouldn’t take long. I have my personal values!

Is it really that easy though?

Perhaps not.

My personal values are only valuable if they are lived and embedded in everything I do. Well, maybe not everything I do. Just the most important and meaningful things.

How can I do that?

By intentionally creating a purposeful routine to help me do what is important and meaningful.

That came together pretty nicely, didn’t it?

There is just one more thing about being intentional. I would also be playing an active role in my life – and not just letting things happen to me.

That sounds a lot better, doesn’t it?

Now, if you’ll excuse me… I need to spend more time thinking about that purposeful routine.

Resources:

*I read about this in: Boyle, Trudy. 2021. Ikigai and Illness: A Guide to Living Fully with Purpose, Meaning, and Joyful Moments. Monkton, Vermont: ToDo Institute.

Image: Canva Magic Media