How often do you tend towards your habits rather than behave by intention? Take a few moments to consider the question.

In general, I think we tend toward habits because they are comfortable. And because they are predictable. Habits don’t require us to expend a lot of energy and because predictability is easier than intentionality, the quality and weight of the consequences are simply easier to overlook. In other words, even if a habit doesn’t have our best interest in it, we still choose it because it is comfortable, predictable and easy whereas intentionality is hard and requires vulnerability, effort, humility and self-grace, each the opposite of comfortable, predictable and easy, right!? It’s no wonder habits win over intentions. . .

Yet, what if we did better? What if we went beyond our habits? What if we actively chose vulnerability, effort, humility and self-grace? What if *those* things drove our behaviors? What if intentionality won more than it lost? What would your life look like? Take a few moments to consider THAT question.

Cancer and its Survivorship have played an integral role in my consideration of these questions. I have habits of old that cancer has either obliterated altogether or it has exposed the lie of it, giving me the option and the practice of choosing change. #cancerteachesmethings and one of the main lessons I am learning is to ‘make it matter.’ But to make it matter, I must intentionally choose it. I must intentionally consent to change. I must intentionally allow vulnerability. I must intentionally repeat effort. I must intentionally accept self-grace. I must evaluate often my intentions vs. my habits. 

Yesterday, in the emergency situation with my daughter, I was given the opportunity to intentionally choose to slow down and remain clear-headed rather than resort to my habit of panic. In doing so, I was calm for my kid.
In relationships, I am given the opportunity to intentionally choose to listen-first rather than resort to my habit of listen-last. In doing so, my relationships are richer.
At volleyball practice, I am given the opportunity to intentionally choose to believe that no difficult experience is wasted rather than resort to my habit of over-protection and rescue. In doing so, my athletes are now invited into their own lesson of habits and intentions and making it all matter.

How about for you? How might you intentionally choose _________________ rather than resort to _______________?

#tuesdaythoughts #cancer #blogger #newpost #thepurposedsailor #makeitmatter #lifecoach #dothework #intention #hopewriterlife