Of Being Intentional

Welcome to the 5-minute read of my thoughts!  What’s been swirling around lately is being intentional.  I’ve heard that word “intentional” a lot over the last few days.  I don’t hear it that often so I started thinking about its meaning.

According to the British dictionary, intentional means, “performed by or expressing intention; deliberate” or “of or relating to intention or purpose”  I chose this definition because of the word deliberate; I can grasp a better picture of deliberate for whatever reason.  It’s as if you’re setting your mind to do something no matter the cost, consequences, or things you’ll have to do or even give up to accomplish it.

Now then, you can be intentional in many different facets.  You can be intentional about getting work done, about your hobbies, about planning a vacation, etc.  I think of being intentional with people.

I have some amazingly intentional friends in my life.  Too many to list or describe them all, which is incredible when I stop to think about it…  So much good has come from these relationships!  Hats off to you, friends! :) 

I know some will invite myself and others to events or to hang out in order to include people and get to know me/them.  I know some will ask how they can pray for me (and they will actually do it).  I know some of them send me texts saying that they’re thinking of me or asking how I’m doing, which a nice little surprise during the day that doesn’t happen enough.  I know some of them are far away but take the time to catch up in person if coming through town (best!) or will call and catch up (second best!). 

A sweet friend did just that this past weekend.  She’s been working non-stop it seems, so we hadn’t been able to talk on the phone/Facetime in a couple of months.  No matter.  We picked up right where we left off and were able to encourage each other, among many things.  Crazy to think that she was only able to live in Texas for a few short months, but I’m so very glad she did!  Now I get to visit her in the Northwest sometime and she has a place to stay here in Texas or wherever I go!

What about the guy who actually tells a girl his intentions?  Now that’s refreshing.  I’ve had it happen.  I gleaned a great line to let someone down easy come to think of it (because a guy used it on me)!  Ha!  Anyway, it could go either way, like “I want to get to know you/go on dates/talk to you about xyz/whatever” or “I don’t want to do those things with you.”  Simple as that.  Either way is good, in my opinion.  Of course with the former you’d, in fact, get to know a cool person.  With the latter I’d think, “Still friends, nothing wrong or weird, I just don’t want to date you or get to know you outside of group events (or the guy just doesn’t want to pursue me).  Great!  I didn’t waste your time or energy; you didn’t waste my time or energy…”  It’s a win-win.

Because, yep, ain’t nobody got time for that!  Everyone is busy with work, pets, children, DIY projects, exercise, school, you name it!  We’re all busy, and I’m just as prone to use that card as the next person.   However, you really do make time for what or who is important to you.  I’m also in that crowd.

Now I know it takes effort to be intentional with people.  It takes planning ahead and juggling schedules a lot of the time.  It takes away from your virtual world of social media.  It takes more than just saying, “We should get together!”  It takes thinking of others.  It takes your precious time.   It takes committing to what you said you’d do.

Yet think of all the good that can come from being intentional in your relationships.

I’ve decided to try to be more intentional with my time, especially with whom I spend it on or with.  I’m going to set aside designated time for others, try to be more flexible to accommodate their schedule, and plan something right when I think of it or have them in front of me.  Now, this isn’t a “if you get to spend time with me, you know you’re hot stuff” kind of thing.  Sorry to burst that bubble.  There’s just so much I have to do, need to do, and want to do!

So, it just means that I feel I have to be choosy, to be selective.  If I say I’m going to dinner with a friend, I’m going to do my best to show up, put my phone down, and be engaged.  I really want to know them better.  (Have to say that this scenario happened and that this particular friend was super gracious and forgiving due to my poor foresight what with a conference call in the middle of everything…)  Then if they want to go do something else and I can squeeze it in, yay!  It’s great if more friends are there.  I mean, bonus! :)

Seriously though, if I weren’t intentional, I wouldn’t have nearly as many friends all over the country and world nor would I have my closest friends.  

It doesn’t take too, too much, come to find out.  Dangle a marathon in front of me and bam!  I got the best running buddy and friend a girl could ask for!  Or have a coworker tell me they like sushi too, and I’ll start an “every Monday of the month” schedule to try sushi restaurants.  A little effort can go a long way sometimes!

Besides, I just don’t know how much longer I’ll have with the people I’m surrounded by.  I’m not trying to be morbid or sad, trust me.  I’m just not sure where exactly I’ll end up with my dreams and passions, quite honestly. 

So, it just means that I want to be intentional with people now and always.