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Sunday, September 30, 2012

31 Days to Living a More Intentional Life



This post will serve as the directory for each topic throughout my 31 day challenge hosted by The Nester. If this is your first visit, be sure to scroll down  to see my introduction!
Day 2: Realistic Expectations 
Day 3: Exercising
Day 4: Unplugging
Day 5: Creating Memories
Day 6: Changing My Heart for the Hard Things
Day 7: Intentionally Wasting Time
Day 8: Intentional Mornings: Part 2
Day 9: One Tired Mama
Day 10: 2 Minutes a Day to Better Parenting
Day 11: Recognizing Bad Triggers
Day 12: Prioritizing My Blogging
Day 13: Eat That Frog
Day 14: Changing Sunday
Day 15: Finding the Good
Day 16: Dreaming
Day 17: My Idols
Day 18: Taking Time to Grow
Day 19: Remembering to Pray
Day 20: Intentional Date Night In
Day 21: Circle of Influence
Day 22: XP: Intentional Parenting: Toddlers
Day 23: XP: Thanksgiving
Day 24: XP: Contentment
Day 25: 11 Things to Accomplish Everyday
Day 26: Adding Contentment (Part I)
Day 27: Why do we want to buy stuff? (Contentment Part II)
Day 28: Intentional Parenting
Day 29: XP: Being a Pitcher
Day 30: I'll get around to it...
Day 31: Keep Living Intentionally

31 Days to Living a More Intentional Life
I spoke briefly in my series announcement post about why I chose this as the theme for the The Nester's 31 day challenge this October.

Since then, I've prepared mentally for this month, brainstormed ideas, researched for inspiration, etc.  And I went into a panic.  I suddenly realized, maybe this isn't the right direction to go in.  Maybe this is too deep to share on a new blog.  I realized that as excited as I was feeling about this topic I was also feeling another strong emotion: Fear.

I. Was. Terrified.

Terrified of having to follow through for all thirty one days.  Terrified of going out of my comfort zone.  Terrified of being tired.  Terrified of being judged.

Terrified of changing.
After a few days, I finally found the encouragement I needed:
Serve only the Lord your God

A primary motivator for me to live more intentionally is so I spend less time "of the world". Less time serving the things I have been instead of God. Less time serving TV, Facebook, blogs, Instagram, reading, housework, sleeping.  My life has become so CLUTTERED and I've created an ADDICTION to being "wired in" 24/7. 


This is time I could be using to be more engaged with my children, praying for my husband, meditating over scripture, exercising, and so on.



Fear Him alone, obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him


If I am to fear Him alone, I cannot fear this change.

If I am to obey His commands, I need this change.
If I am to listen to His voice, I have to make this change.


First and foremost this challenge is for me. I hope you will follow along and give me encouragement and accountability. I hope at least one of my next thirty one posts reaches somebody and inspires them to change something that will allow them to begin living a more intentional life.


The first step

The first step in living life more intentionally is making the decision. Making the choice. Committing to it. It is the hardest step. 

Will you join me?



Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to our posts :)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Philippians 4:12



God Bless!

18 comments:

  1. very well put! Changing to be more intentional is essentially not about us our anything else it's for God and for his glory and if we are to be obedient God will bless our efforts. . . I think it's going to be a great month! Good luck!

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  2. Beautifully written! ♥ If I weren't Buddhist, I'd absolutely join you! This sounds like something my (very Christian) daughter would love!

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  3. looking forward to this Beth! I liked your fb page and shared - thanks for visiting at www.AdventurezinChildrearing.com
    happy to meet you & your cute family!

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    1. Thank you, Kelli :)
      I'm excited to follow you month!

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  4. This is a *great* post! Very inspiring! Thank you so much!

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  5. Hey! Found you on the 31 Days link up. I am writing about living intentionally too. I look forward to following your series and gain another mom's perspective on what it means to live with intention.

    Amanda
    www.amandamedlin.com

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  6. Hi Beth. I am very excited to follow along with you on this 31 Day challenge. I fould you through the link up. Living intentionally has been my focus for some time now and I am excited to meet another mom who God has inspired in this way.
    Meredith at www.p31wife.com

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  7. Yes. I want to live intentional. So thankful I found your blog though 31 Days. I’m writing about 31 Days of Anonymity where I give others an opportunity to write anonymous letters to those they feel they need to. It's going to be a great month. Yep, I'm scared....31 Days -- what was I thinking?

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  8. Hi. Great topic! Living intentionally is what I want as well. I hate wasted days and cringe when I see the idle ways I waste time on things that won't matter when we meet the Lord face to face.
    I'm writing on drawing closer as a family. Happy blogging!

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  9. Wow. This sounds like an amazing thing that you're doing. I love Day 1! Best of luck to you on your journey this month.

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  10. Sounds like a great challenge! Who doesn't need to be reminded that we need to live intentionally with our lives? It is not so easy, because we get comfortable with where we are, but our lives have purpose and meaning and we should never forget that!

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  11. I love this challenge idea! Super excited to follow along!

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  12. what a great and inspirational idea

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  13. Hello! I'm so excited to follow along with you this month! Over the past few months the Lord has put it on my heart to be more intentional as well. I've been praying that He'd teach me what that looks like in my daily life and, even though it's been baby steps everyday, I feel like I'm heading in the right direction! Thank you for obeying His push to write on this topic..I'm sure you're obedience is an answer to many prayers :)

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  14. This is great, I'm gonna be following along!

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  15. I know, it is a challenge. I am trying to stay a bit ahead so if we have a busy day I don't get behind. I am blogging about being the mom you want to be. I love your topic, we are trying to live more simply as well.

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  16. I love this idea. It definitely makes you want to live life with more purpose. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Thanks for the inspiration! I will contemplate doing something similar! Many of your intentions echo things I need to change in my life.

    amedaya.blogspot.ca

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