The Art of Intentional Living

I have been thinking about this phrase for several reasons. One is our new webiste Studio Forma and the other reason is a presentation I am scheduled to deliver on July 5th. To broaden my thinking I have asked several friends to share their reflections on the art of intentional living. One thing that surprised me is how the friends I picked to interview did not see themselves as role models for living intentionally. Nick Nissley, Dean, Business Technologies
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, helped me understand this when he differentiated the short story from the long story of intentional living. For the long story, it can look messy day-to-day or even month-to-month.It is only when you look back can you see the series of choices that created an intentional life.

I find that freeing. Some days are reactive and habitual. Some days I show up; more conscious, more intentional. Barry Oshry said, “Life goes on inertia and if we are lucky we get a chance to pull away what really doesn’t fit.” Another friend talked about the gifts of speed bumps. When you are knocked out of your current story and then able to choose a more life-affirming one.

Living intentionally is messy business and may not show on every page of your life; the hope is that it is the underlying theme of your whole story.

What is the art of intentional living to you?