“No revolution in outer things is possible without prior revolution in one’s inner way of being. Whatever change you aspire to…must be preceded by a change in heart. ~ I Ching Hexagram 49
“At some point in your life, you’ll only have thirty-seven days to live. Maybe that day is today. Maybe not.
If I had thirty-seven days left, would I spend my time cleaning the attic, purging computer files, or attending committee meetings? Would I have passed stories to my children and friends, or would I spend those days regretting not having time to do so? Am I living fully now, or am I waiting until after the kids leave for college or my annuity matures or the Colts move back to Baltimore? It will be too late then?
What would I being doing today if I only had thirty-seven days to live?”
“Serendipitously”, I ran across an online reference to Life is a Verb, by Patti Digh, at the start of this 31 one day challenge. When I looked it up on Amazon and read the tag line, it immediately resonated with me—37 Days to wake up. Be mindful. And live intentionally. When I further read that the author cared for her dying step-dad diagnosed with lung cancer, I immediately sent my husband out to buy a copy.
I’ve only opened the book in the last couple of days. Quickly devouring the first few pages, I already know I’m going to like it. I hope it is going be a useful tool—a jumping-off point to really examine what it means for me to live intentionally, as well as challenge my thinking while I meditate on what it means to live intentional.
At the beginning of this 31 day challenge I thought it meant getting my act together, making a schedule for me, and my family. Being more productive daily—intentionally doing something. Now I’m not so sure. I’ve done “intentional things” but other things, good things, necessary things, are still crowding in. Work loads have not drastically altered. Schedules have still not been fully established or implemented. I’m still not the wife or mother I’d like to be. I am still failing at living eucharisto. And, frankly, it often feels, and seems, like Christ living in me is an out-of-body experience that I only see others taking part in.
So what gives? What’s still missing? What don’t I get? Where’s the skywriter?
I don’t know.
But I do know, that if I continue to ask (Him), it will be given to me. If I continue to seek (Him), I will find. And, if I knock it (He) will be opened to me.
So…my (intentional) prayer for today:
Lord, do not leave me where I am. Give me the will to keep asking. Give me the fortitude to keep seeking. Give me the boldness to keep knocking. And, let me see what You would have me do today as if it were my 37th day.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post. I’ve also chosen intentional living as my 31 Days topic and I linked to your post today
http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2011/10/31-days-my-progress.html
This is beautiful, and relates to what I’ve said a few times about writing – it doesn’t have to perfect. It doesn’t even have to be right. But it does have to be. And so it is, I think with our living – it doesn’t have to be perfect, or right, so to speak, but it does have to be. We make art with our living, and the beauty of art is often found in its imperfections, in the grace and the beauty that are found there.
Thank you so much for your comment on my post Tuesday. I am so glad to know you consider my posts helpful!
Thanks. Now I’m looking forward to reading your 31 days of intentional living. Hope you’ve got more figured out that me.
Thank you for coming to my site.
Hey…I was at your blog not too long ago….looking forward to getting caught up!