Did you ever notice life throws you curve-balls? We can feel lost or overwhelmed all in the same week. Isn’t it crazy? We think we’re a little lost, we could be slow at work or bored at home. Then something big hits and suddenly, we’re instantly overwhelmed with work.
This is common in my life, but I never thought about it until I got older. I just went on with my life. I just kept going forward, but with little long term purpose. I wasted too much of my life just getting things done and not being intentional about who or what I wanted to be.
When I got lazy, I just didn’t do anything. I realize now that being lazy is far different than resting. When resting it’s OK to be lazy because you’re trying to recharge.
What is recharging? It’s not just one thing. It could be to physically rest. But we also need mental rest. We need to take breaks so we can think clearly. We need to take time away from day to day distractions so we can plan with intention. Too often we let work, friends, and partners dictate our lives. Too many people in our lives tell us what we should want.
I am not saying we should not ask for advice, but advice is different than someone manipulating you. It’s very different. Advice is someone’s council that you have to weigh yourself and decide if it’s the right path for you. Then you need to be able to explain why you will or won’t follow it. Sometimes that explanation may be as simple as “it just didn’t feel right” or “I had a gut feeling”.
I wish I were more intentional with my life. When I looked back, I realized that I worked way too hard for others and they had little appreciation of what I did, nor did they care.
But that’s what we do as people, right? We want to look good at work, support others, and be good to our friends. We need to think, at what cost? What did we give up for others? Did they appreciate what we did or even care? Most people don’t even give it a second thought.
Then when I look at some of them, they put a lot of attention on how precious their time is. They are pretty careful about what matters to them and what doesn’t. I am learning from that. Intention matters.
What are you intentional about these days? Is it your time and values? Maybe it should be. Think back about how others value you. We all have value.
Put another way,
Life is unpredictable, often presenting us with unexpected challenges and periods of feeling adrift. It’s strange how one moment we might feel directionless, perhaps experiencing a lull at work or monotony at home, and the next, we’re swamped with responsibilities.
As I’ve matured, I’ve noticed this pattern in my life. Previously, I’d simply move forward without much thought for the future, focusing on the present without a clear vision for who I wanted to become. I now realize that I spent too much time just getting by, rather than living with purpose.
There were times when I chose inactivity over action, mistaking it for rest. But I’ve come to understand that true rest is about recharging, not just being idle. Recharging involves both physical and mental relaxation, allowing us to think clearly and plan our lives with intention. Often, we let the demands of work, friends, and partners shape our existence, influenced by their expectations rather than our own desires.
Seeking advice is beneficial, but it’s crucial to distinguish it from manipulation. Good advice is guidance that we must consider carefully to determine if it aligns with our path. We should be able to articulate our reasons for following or ignoring it, even if it’s based on intuition.
Reflecting on my past, I wish I had lived more deliberately. I dedicated too much effort to pleasing others, who seldom recognized or valued my contributions.
Yet, this is a common human trait—we strive to excel at work, support our peers, and be kind to friends. But we must consider the sacrifices we make for others and whether they truly appreciate our efforts. Many people overlook the significance of these sacrifices.
Observing others, I see how they prioritize their time, focusing on what’s important to them. This has taught me the importance of living with intention.
What about you? Are you living intentionally, focusing on your time and values? It’s worth considering how others perceive your worth. Remember, we all have inherent value.