Daily Insight

An aspiring writer who doesn’t believe writing is a valuable skill in our current society and focuses on building a traditional career instead.

An aspiring runner who doesn’t believe running is a good use of their time in our current society and goes out for drinks every night.

An aspiring classical musician who doesn’t believe society will ever appreciate their art – and goes into pop music instead.

If you want to turn aspirations into achievements, you’ll have to decide for yourself what’s valuable, even if it goes against what society and tradition prescribe.

So to make writing a valuable skill, write.

To make running a good use of your time, run.

To make the world appreciate your classical music, practice classical music.

To make anything worthwhile, show that it’s worth your while.

Because going against the mainstream is not just necessary to achieve your aspirations – it’s what makes your aspirations valuable in the first place.

The future I want to see affects the present I create.

And so does the future I don’t want to see.

Do I let fear of what could go wrong reign my day?

Or excitement about what could be?

Whatever I choose, I may well end up proving myself right.

Can you say loud and clear
this is what I love
this gives me energy
this is why I’m here?
Can you then do what you love
do what gives you energy
do it, live it
without fear?
Can you choose to write your own stories
without letting them be tainted by past memories
or future worries?
Can you enjoy what you do
without believing it’s not for you?

What would your future look like if you weren’t rushing to get there so fast?
What would your present look like if you didn’t let it be limited by the past?
What would your dreams look like if you realized your potential is vast?
Would you be free at last?

Intentional living is about reminding yourself of what’s most important to you.

Reminding yourself that you can choose to be a writer, a runner, a musician, an artist, or a bon vivant.

Reminding yourself that you can choose to be kind to others.

Reminding yourself that you have a choice to act differently.

Reminding yourself that the past does not equal the future.

Reminding yourself that this, too, shall pass.

Reminding yourself that at any given moment, whatever reminder you need the most, you likely won’t think of yourself.

Reminding yourself that for this reason, it’s OK to get help and let someone else remind you with short daily notes.

And me, reminding myself that the act of writing daily reminders for you is the reminder I need to remember that I do, in fact, choose to be consistent, and I choose to be a writer.

Reminders upon reminders upon reminders that we will constantly get distracted, and we will always have the choice to come back to what truly matters.

Every day we spend another day of our lives.

Where do I spend it?
Why?

Who do I spend it with?
Why?

What do I spend it on?
Why?

What’s it all about?

I go to the gym, play volleyball, run, and land on yoga.

I speak, film, consult, and land on writing.

I sing, dance, drum, and land on playing the guitar.

When you’ve only ever seen one path for yourself all your life, it’s scarcity.

When you’ve opened your eyes, explored life, and consciously decided to take the path that aligns the most with who you want to be…

It’s destiny.

Explore.

We get hungry and look for food. Then we get hungry again.

We get thirsty and look for water. Then we’re thirsty again.

We want to create art and learn how to sing. Then we want to create more and learn how to draw.

Full satisfaction with our life as it is is an illusion. Desire will always be there, even if we think we’ve reached all our goals.

Without a gap between what we do and what we want to do, what we have and what we want, who we are and who we want to be, life becomes meaningless.

With that knowledge, how can we still be fulfilled?

The fulfillment formula may help:

Regardless of outcomes and results, are the majority of your daily actions in alignment with your purpose, values, and the identity you want to forge?