Live Intentionally

Dear beautiful people?

Have you ever started something that changed your life so much, that you never stopped?

Well, I'm here to tell you that never have I ever appreciated living as much as I have now. I credit my love of LIFE to all the new intentions that I have adopted to guide my way of life. Just because I love life, does not mean my life is perfect. Reality check: your life and my life will never be perfect. However, we all have a journey to live through; and how we choose to live our life will determine whether are lives were well lived or squandered.

"Our intention creates our reality" by Wayne Dyer

Is that even possible? Can our intentions really create our reality? To grasp the value that this quote can add to our lives, would be life altering. Let's look at what the word intention means. Intention is a mental state that demonstrates a commitment to carrying out an action or actions in the future. In that case, yes, our intentions can create our reality.

My question for you today is "what kind of reality do you want to create"? Do you want to create something beautiful or something that you detest?

A few years back, my reality was sickness. I now consider getting sick one of the biggest blessings of my life. Because it was through my desire to beat my ailments, that I begin to live intentionally. When I fixed my mindset, I was able to take steps to cultivate a life where I thrived.

My journey began years ago, and I have struggled and worked hard to heal. Some of my symptoms: digestives issues, irregular periods, acne, keratosis pilaris, depression, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, light-headedness, chronic stress (it got so bad, that when I got sick with strep throat I fainted multiple times in 2 days), constant sinus issues, strep throat (every year, and throughout the year soar throat often). I had several tests done; and the doctor simply concluded that my symptoms were due to stress. I was only 16 at the time, and I remember my mom responded with telling the doctor that it was cause I was trying to graduate early. She preceded to belittle my symptoms and comment that I would resume my daily routines. I remember leaving the doctors office, feeling frustrated and hurt that my mother did not help me when I needed her most. However, it did get me thinking. I came to the conclusion that I was depressed and that was the cause of all my symptoms. At the moment, it made sense to me because my life was in scrambles due to high expectations from my parents, forced responsibilities, friendships ending and more. I was hurting and had no one to turn to. It went on for months. I thought getting away and going to college would help, and it did a little; but it didn't fix my life.

After years of struggling, I learned one lesson that changed my life forever--to LIVE INTENTIONALLY. Now, I am happier and healing more everyday. I am beginning to thrive. Below is a little guide to help you live intentionally.

HOW TO LIVE INTENTIONALLY

1. DECIDE to be intentional about life.

2. ASK yourself, what kind of life do I intend to live?, what do I want out of life?, what is my purpose in life?, if I could be anything, do anything, or have anything, what would it be?

3. BRAINSTORM (take 5 minutes to describe your ideal life)

4. FIGURE out the WHY? (Why did you write or choose those words that describe your ideal life?)

5. SET good intentions. ( Does your ideal life stem from a healthy mindset? / Write out your intentions and how you can get to where you want.)

6. MEDITATE over your intentions.

7. LIVE out your intentions or in other words, PRACTICE your intentions.

Example: These are the intentions I have set for myself.

Be Consistent--skincare.

Be Disciplined--in all areas.

Eat for Health--change my diet to heal my body and remove ailments (sources that I use for my diet: Medical Medium + Dr. Gundry on lectin-free diet+ Blue Zones)

Be Active-- move more (try to workout a few times a week + try to go walking everyday)

Learn--take up new hobbies + acquire new skills + read books + listen to audio books or podcasts

Love More--love myself + love others (seek and nurture relationships) + love animals + love nature + forgive others + show mercy + show grace + focus on the positive

My struggle became my BLESSING. I hope that you allow your struggles help you grow and not let yourself wither away. Today, I challenge you to LIVE INTENTIONALLY.

All my love, Ilana