Choosing a life that matters

Maxwell, J.C. (2015). Intentional living: Choosing a life that matters. New York: Hachette Book Group, Inc.

I have read Maxwell often over the years and do believe this is my favorite. Perhaps because it applies so well to my life. He published the volume at 68 years of age and I could relate to every word! He has a lot to say about "story," a concept that so resonates with me at this time of my life. You see, as we age it is natural to look back over our lives. To recite our own story. I want to judge my story to be a good one. Maxwell defines a good story as a meaningful and significant life. That, he says, is accomplished by intentional living.

Overview

So, in practical terms, what does intentional living mean? Maxwell defined intentional living like this: a life that brings you daily satisfaction and continual rewards for merely working to make a difference in the lives of others (pg. 29). It's about living your best story. About being intentional with what you want to do and where you want to go. Intend to finish well, he says. But begin with intending to make a difference in the lives of others - great or small differences. As social creatures, our satisfaction in living comes from interactions with other human beings. And our best rewards come from making a difference.

Once the case is made for intentional living, the rest of the book is devoted to helping us learn to live satisfying lives. First we have to want to make a difference. That's not really difficult for queenagers as we tend naturally to be helpers! That accomplished, we simply do something that makes a difference. Do some personal soul-searching. What Maxwell describes as finding your "why." And that is entirely your call! Next, he says we need to partner with other people; others who also want to live intentionally; to be difference-makers. Not the nay-sayers and negative people who bring us down and interfere with our intent. Finally, he says, we have to do something at a time that makes a difference. Every day. We have to look for opportunities daily to make a difference in lives around us.

Application

In his usual fashion, Maxwell share a lot of his own story. And his story is motivating. He didn't get to a multi-million dollar business without failure. Knowing this helped me to understand I just needed to incorporate the fundamentals of intentional living in my own life. Too late? Absolutely not. First, I encourage you to read the book. Take notes. And most importantly, begin as I did - by writing about my own intentional living. Journalling, which I sincerely hope is a sacred habit of yours. I am trying some big-picture helping. That's my mission - to help you live healthy, strong, and beautiful the rest of the way! And I'm trying on a smaller scale to do something every day to make a difference in somebody else's life. That is indeed satisfying to me! And defines intentional living. A life that matters.