Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect it. These moments can shake us to our core, leaving us questioning everything we thought we knew about ourselves and our path forward. But what if these challenging experiences could become catalysts for profound personal growth and transformation?
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Cathy Christen, a remarkable woman who has faced her fair share of life-altering moments. Through our conversation, I was struck by the powerful lessons she shared about finding joy, living with intention, and designing a life that truly resonates with our deepest desires.
The Wake-Up Call We Never Asked For
Cathy's journey of intentional living began with a heart-wrenching loss. At 23, she received the devastating news that her cousin – who was more like a twin brother – had suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm. This shocking event stopped Cathy in her tracks, forcing her to confront the fragility of life and the preciousness of our time here.
In the midst of her grief, Cathy realized she had been living on autopilot, chasing success and financial security without truly considering what brought her joy and fulfillment. This wake-up call set her on a path of deep introspection and intentional living that would shape the rest of her life.
Redefining Success: Beyond the Checklist
Like many of us, Cathy had fallen into the trap of following society's prescribed checklist for success:
- Graduate from college
- Land a good job
- Climb the corporate ladder
- Accumulate wealth
But as she reflected on her cousin's passing, she realized that true success isn't about ticking boxes or accumulating accolades. It's about creating a life that aligns with our values, brings us joy, and allows us to make a meaningful impact on the world around us.
The Power of Intentional Living
Cathy's journey led her to embrace a more intentional approach to life. Here are some key insights she shared:
1. Define Your Vision
Cathy encourages us to imagine our lives as a movie. What would make us excited to watch? What achievements would fill us with pride? What relationships and experiences would bring us the most joy? By clearly defining our vision for the future, we can make decisions that align with our true desires.
2. Prioritize What Truly Matters
Once we have a clear vision, it becomes easier to prioritize the things that truly matter. For Cathy, this meant carving out dedicated time for her marriage, planning regular adventures with her family, and pursuing hobbies that brought her joy – like dance classes and exploring new restaurants.
3. Invest in Personal Growth
Cathy emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement. She sought out mentors, coaches, and personal development programs that helped her gain new perspectives and tools for living a more fulfilling life.
4. Create Intentional Routines
Even small daily habits can have a big impact on our overall well-being. Cathy shared how dedicating just 10-15 minutes each morning to meditation, prayer, or gentle movement helps her start the day with a sense of calm and purpose.
Embracing the Seasons of Life
One of the most powerful lessons Cathy shared was the importance of embracing different seasons of life. There will be times when maintaining perfect routines feels impossible, like caring for a newborn or navigating a major life transition. The key is to remain flexible and find small ways to stay connected to our values and priorities, even in challenging times.
A Ripple Effect of Joy
What struck me most about Cathy's story was the ripple effect of her intentional living. By prioritizing her own joy and fulfillment, she's not only created a more meaningful life for herself but has also positively impacted her family, friends, and the countless people she coaches and mentors.
Her children are growing up with a beautiful example of how to design a life aligned with their values and passions. Her relationships are stronger because she prioritizes quality time and connection. Her work in the world is more impactful because it comes from a place of genuine passion and purpose.
Your Invitation to Intentional Living
While we can't control everything that happens in life, we do have the power to choose how we respond and what we prioritize.
I invite you to take a moment today to reflect on your own life:
- What brings you genuine joy and fulfillment?
- Are you making time for the things that truly matter to you?
- What small changes could you make to live more intentionally?
Remember, it's never too late to start designing a life that lights you up from the inside out. As Cathy so beautifully put it, "You can start making everything count from here on out."
If you'd like to learn more about Cathy Christen and her work on intentional living, you can visit her website at cathychristen.com.
Let's commit to living with more intention, savoring the precious moments, and creating lives that fill us – and those around us – with joy.
