“Snow has blown onto those trails I made a few weeks ago,” he says.
“But I kept my skies in my car just for this day.” I say. I was determined to try out my refurbished cross-country skis. And after weeks of -20C temperature, we finally had a day without warnings of freezing exposed skin.
At the perimeter of the field that grows acres of wheat in the summer, he says, “Well, those snowmobile tracks out there might work.”
Yes! Although not perfect conditions, I kept on with my intention to ski.
I clicked my new boots into my new bindings. I carved my own trail in places; and gained rhythm and confidence along the way.
Sometimes our conditions may not be perfect when pursuing our goals, but intentionally we can choose to keep carving a way.
That is why I chose Intentional as my Word for 2022. I want to move intentionally toward my goals, even when my path is not perfectly clear and there are obstacles along the way.
Instead of giving into giving up, I want to carve my way through the times of self-doubts, procrastination, and fear.
Life by Design
An Intentional Definition: done by design.
I like that definition very much.
Lisa, of Lisa Notes and The One Word Community, asks us to share why we chose our word and how we remember our word.
One thing I have done is write “Intentional” on a chalk board that I see everyday in my home.
One of my reasons I chose “intentional” is to create habits that carry over for much longer than 12 months. By daily writing down my activities that move me toward my life plan (created with the help of Living Forward by Michael Hyatt & Daniel Harkavy), I intentionally move toward my goals.
In years to come, my habits may change such as I may no longer have to write at 6 am when I no longer have to leave my home for my work at 7 am (that moves me toward another goal of working as an independent one day). Or maybe the 6 am writing will continue, however I will have a longer span of time to keep writing!
Whatever the change may be, the goal is that my morning writing is as regular as my morning cup of coffee.
Living with Opposition
“Anything worthwhile is opposed.”
― Michael Hyatt, Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
We will face opposition when intentionally pursuing our goals.
Just the other day I felt myself slipping into a January slump. Although I have enjoyed days doing winter activities, other days had bitter cold temperatures, overcast skies, and ice-covered roads. I drive to work in the dark and return in the dark.
But I also see the daylight hours increasing, the stores stocking seeds for spring planting, and campsites opening bookings for their summer season. So, I intentionally read my Life Plan daily reminding me life is a journey encompassing multiple seasons. No day is the same as the next but my choices today effect my future.
And I choose hope.
“Keeping your eye on the future is essential for making the most of today.”
― Michael Hyatt, Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
How has your January been?
Linking up with Let’s Have Coffee, One Word Community Grace&Truth LInk-up #TellHisStory
January 2022 has had it’s ups and downs. We’ve dealt with covid in our family. Everyone is feeling better now and we are thankful to God. I’m comforted to know through the good times and the bad times, God is always with us. Have a blessed week! 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear you had to deal with Covid, Melissa. I’m relieved everyone is doing better. Derek’s mother, brother and sister all have it, but fortunately their symptoms are quite mild.
I’m so glad to hear everyone is feeling better now, Melissa. Yes, God is always with us! I pray February is full of days of good health and good times for you and your family!
Hello Lynn
So much wisdom in this post. This line stood out to me: “Sometimes our conditions may not be perfect when pursuing our goals, but intentionally we can choose to keep carving away.” That’s the way to do it. Keep carving away, putting one foot in front of the other until we complete our goal.
Amen, Yvonne! One foot in front of the other, even if just the tiniest of steps because all steps matter. Thanks for your words here today!
I choose hope too, Lynn. In the end, there’s no other choice, is there? Beautiful post today. Your photos are stunning and I love the ones of you skiing. January has zipped by in a blur. I honestly can’t believe it’s almost February. xo
Thank you for your comments on my photos, Jill! I always have found winter photography hard to do, but trying to get more shots this year! You are right that there’s no other choice but hope! And so grateful we can always choose hope.
I’d love to go cross-country skiing but we need snow for that.
The unclear path is less traveled but can bring greater rewards.
Well, Diane, I guess you’ll just have to come for visit in the winter sometime to go cross country skiing! Maybe there will be a Canadian event you could be a vendor at during our skiing season! A comic con perhaps? Although they are in April (Calgary) and September (Edmonton) generally. 🙂 Yes, it is those unclear path that can bring the greatest rewards!
I pray 2022 proves to be an intentionally wonderful year for you, Lynn, “I want to move intentionally toward my goals, even when my path is not perfectly clear and there are obstacles along the way.”
Thank you, Lisa!
Lynn, I am so envious at your opportunity to cross country ski! My husband and I were avid downhill skiers (back in the day…LOL) Haven’t had skis on in years, but would love to cross country ski-just not something easily done where we live now!
But I love your intentional approach to your word intention for 2022! The quotes you share here also inspire me with my one word, “resilience’! I couldn’t agree more that being intentional helps you avoid procrastination, fear and doubts!
Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Where did you downhill ski, Donna? I used to downhill a lot too, and loved being up high in the mountains! I’ve just started to cross country ski and like that there are no line ups and no need for a ski pass! 🙂 I’m glad you found the quotes inspired you for your one word, too! I’m glad to be along for the ride with your word, resilience, as well!
“My choices today effect my future.” So very true. Thank you for the reminder to be intentional in making good, daily choices, creating habits that will carry over for much longer. And again, Lynn – your photos are beautiful!
Thank you for your comment on my photos, Joanna! Winter, I find, has less photo opportunities but I have been trying! Have a blessed day!
“I want to move intentionally toward my goals, even when my path is not perfectly clear and there are obstacles along the way.” Yes. This is the mindset necessary if we want to realistically accomplish anything. There will always be struggles and roadblocks, but if we can keep going, we’ll eventually make it back home.
I love seeing all these signs of spring too.
All your photos are so amazing!
Lisa, I love how you say we will eventually make it “back home.” So true! And we know where our True Home is! Have a blessed day!
I LOVE cross-country skiing (but I have yet to go in Arizona). I also love Hyatt and Harkavey’s book on creating a Life Plan. Although I don’t review my life plan every single year, I know it has changed a lot of things about how I’m living my life now. It’s probably time to bring my plan up on my phone and look through it again and make some changes!
I had to make a few changes on my life plan this year, Anita. I’ve looked at purchasing his planner and maybe will next year! Have you tried roller skiing? That might help you get your cross country skiing fix! : )
mmm … I feel kinda inspired seeing you out on those skis in that beautiful snow, friend!
Meanwhile, I’m featuring your wise words on this week’s Porch 💌
http://www.lindastoll.net/2022/01/porch-33-phone-ish-edition.html
I’m inspired by your “walking on the beach pictures” Linda! But I have to make the best of snow when there is no sand and ocean. 🙂
Thank you for your comment on Linda Stoll’s Blog. I have responded there. You are welcome to share my comment with whoever you wish.
God bless.
I love that you’re sharing your refreshing photography again, Lynn! Thank you for this inspiration to not give up and intentionally move forward. “And I choose hope.” Yes! Love and blessings to you!
Yeah! Always choose hope. I know your words are always so full of hope, Trudy. Have a blessed day!
I love this word although it is definitely one to be challenged by, I am quite sure, as is mine (diligence). Seeing you on the cross-country skis makes me wish for younger days in my life when I could just. life into mine and off I would go! I skied on both kinds and think I loved the cross-country skiing better for it’s calming effects and it’s longer term effects. I surely loved the exhilaration of downhill, but…. Anyway, I will watch you ski now! Thanks for sharing your great word and its effects upon you this day.
Downhill skiing is exhilarating and you get a nice view of the mountains when riding the chair lift. 🙂 I too was an avid downhill skier. The nice thing about cross country is no line-ups and no lift tickets! May you have a diligent day that brings many blessings! And thank you for your words here!
Lynn, I love this! My word was intentional a few years ago. Your post takes me back many years ago when I had my first taste of cross country skiing! It was in MA at my husband’s brother’s house. Later we moved to SD for a school year and had our own cross country skis. I kind of miss it, because it was a fun way to get exercise. Love the pics by the way! I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, “Instead of giving into giving up, I want to carve my way through the times of self-doubts, procrastination, and fear.” Amen. Blessings to you!
Hi Gayl, I’m glad you “a taste of cross country skiing.” It is good exercise. I only did downhill prior so still learning how to do the stride in cross country, but I do get winded trying! Have a wonderful day!
Intentional was my word in 2019. There is a song with that title by Keith Green that I really enjoyed as well. Have a great week.
Hi Cindy, I will have to look up that song by Keith Green. Thank you for letting me know about it!
Intentional is a GREAT word. I’m sure you will have some remarkable experience to share along the way!
Thanks Barb!