Intentional Living – Page 3 – Intently Amy & The Texas Mini Farm Family

Thoughts on Parenting from a Childfree Woman

I started blogging about being childfree in 2018. It was during that time that I was able to digest and reflect on all the reasons people have children or choose the other path in life. I explored all sorts of topics, and listened to a lot of stories. Ultimately, it led me to focusing in on conscious choice – the idea that every decision in your life should be a conscious commitment.

Eventually what I found is that the conversations were sometimes too hostile. Two communities divided and completely unsupportive of the other. I found it to be a negative space that I just no longer could support. Childfree women were openly hateful toward children and parents were openly shaming childfree women. I decided this was not the type of energy I wanted to take part in every day.

After reflecting more on this and thinking about what I really wanted for my own future I realized there was a lot to break down. Maybe childfree isn’t the answer. Maybe my problem was that people weren’t using conscious choice in their decision to have kids and that made parenting a little off putting to me. What if I could do things differently and inspire others to do the same? I started to mold a new purpose to my blogging… sharing the ideas and wisdom I uncover throughout my journey of seeking knowledge and spiritual growth.

I listen to motivational videos every day… every day! It gets me going and reminds me why I am working so hard. One particular video got me thinking… Parenting is something you must prepare for and commit to. We literally must train for the act of raising children the way we train for sports or a fitter body. If we want to succeed and make this a fruitful decision, then we must be serious about preparation.

Life is a playoff game. We only get one chance at making each day the best it can be. It absolutely matters what you eat, what you think, what you prepare for.

If my commitment is to have to children then I have to wake up every day committed to making their life fantastic. The only way that will happen is by waking up every day with the attitude to create that life for them. For making myself the best I can be for them.

Teaching them. Growing them. Building them. Making them the best they can be that’s what we choose when we choose parenting. So, that’s why it’s important to choose excellence in our preparation. Choosing to be a parent is a life choice to be committed to something greater than ourselves, to shaping a new generation.

Perhaps we should think about preparation and how we train for these big moments in our life. Are we taking the steps to be our best? Are we asking ourselves hard enough questions each day? Are we pushing ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually enough to create growth?

If we answer no, then are we truly prepared for the responsibilities of parenting?

Think bigger…

The Good and The Bad of 2020 Lessons Learned

Goodbye 2020, hello 2021 and a whole new chapter in my life. As I enter this new year with a whole heart full of gratitude and hope, I wanted to share a few of the things that made 2020 both challenging and rewarding for me. I also want to make a few things clear… I’m doing this because of a few reasons.

I am focusing on being more honest and open in 2021. This is not just with others, but with myself as well.

The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.
Nelson Mandela

2. Blogging helps me stay creative and fulfills my love of writing. Making it a consistent practice helps me continually improve my writing and use of words. I always wanted to be an author and this is sort of like my place for that, it’s my life book.

Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.
Virginia Woolf

3. While I don’t put everything on display, I do seek to share my adventures in hopes to find connections with people who have shared experiences or to lead someone to discover something that may be useful in their life. If my blogs impact even just one person, I’ve done something positive for the world and therefore, it isn’t all for naught.

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.
Sylvia Plath

The Good of 2020

All in all, 2020 was filled with a lot of learning opportunities. Everyone had to adjust to a new way of working and a new way of living life. My journey through it brought me to understand a few things better:

How to show gratitude – I started my daily gratitude list practice once again
How to be more positive each day – I made a commitment to wake up each day with a smile
Renewed friendships – I rekindled a few friendships that really have helped me get through tough times, but also that I feel I can offer a lot of support to
I learned to give with my heart again – Always a giver, I felt like I had lost that spirit. But, through renewed friendships and a focus on healing, I’m finding my path again.
Importance of family – I moved back to Texas to be closer to my family and I’m so happy as their presence is so important to me. I made the commitment to truly see my family as a priority.

In 2020, I also had a few surprises and exciting updates:

Started a new job
Began my journey to earning my Master’s in Business Administration
Found new opportunities to learn and grow in my personal health and development
Created a new business venture
Developed new skills

It’s amazing how much progress we make over a year, when we look back on it all. I believe I’ve grown the most during the most challenging times. So while most people wanted 2020 to end, I didn’t want it to. I was stretching myself, growing, and really becoming a whole new me. From running more, to eating healthier, to finding a way to build my own business and grow my mind. I don’t think 2020 was all that bad for my personal development.

But of course, there were times when it wasn’t so easy. Here are some of the things that forced me into this growing stage last year.

The Bad of 2020

Because I try not to dwell when “bad” things happen to me, I’m choosing to really only share a couple of the things that had the biggest impact.

My 10 year relationship with my husband ended and I moved away from him and California.
My grandmother got really sick, unrelated to covid, and has been in a hospital since March. With covid happening though, it’s prevented me from seeing her.

So, now that I’ve shared that, I think there are probably a lot of other people in the world who could say they’ve had it worse. Sure. Everyone is battling something. What I think was the most powerful thing about my “bad” list of 2020, was that neither of these things has really brought me down. Despite going through a divorce, despite having a heart full of worry and despair, I was able to achieve so much this year and still come out positive.

My good list will always outweigh my bad list. My good list just grows and grows. It’s where I put my focus. The bad list always has a light at the end of the tunnel. It always has a positive spin and I know that these bad situations don’t last forever, nor do the good ones. We have to keep mining for them and wake up every day with a smile ready to accept them.

I am working to bring a light to people’s lives in 2021. I am working to share what I find to be the most effective ways to look passed the bad and look at how to effectively flip it. My blog means so much to me. While I am always “busy” working and studying and focusing on my health, I know there is plenty I can be doing to share and make a positive impact. So for YOU, I commit to being a writer and to sharing what I learn. I commit to seeking new things to share with YOU my readers and my community.

I also commit to being a great writer so that you never have to feel burdened by my typos… 😛

To peace and wellness in 2021.

CBD Oil: Myths and Facts

I’m a CBD lover… I swear by it. Other people are not so convinced, but there is a real truth to the powers of CBD oil. Here are a few of the myths and facts behind the magic.

Top 3 Myths About CBD

1. CBD Oil Doesn’t Work

Before you go too far down this road, let me explain something… CBD is not THC. If you’re hoping you’re going to try it for the first time and feel instant effects of CBD oil, then you’re doing this all wrong. CBD is what I like to call a therapy. Therapy works over time and usually you’ll start to feel better with several doses/treatments. When you’re not getting your therapy, you’ll notice the effects.

2. CBD Will Make You High

Well, I can’t even explain how very wrong this is. Again, THC is the chemical compound that’s attributed to immediate effects of feeling high. You’re not going to feel any sort of psychosis with CBD oil. Some products do help with sleep as it is a calming therapy, but CBD is not a known sleep aid.

3. CBD is Unregulated and Unsafe

The only comment I’ll make on this is you get what you pay for. It’s not recommended to purchase CBD from unknown sources, or try to find it for cheap online. There are plenty of companies that are safely creating high-quality CBD. When you’ve found a good company, they will provide lab results and certifications such as these here. Find yourself a good, quality company to source your CBD from and you’ll be fine!

Top 3 Facts About CBD Oil

1. CBD is Helpful for Anxiety

If you carry a lot of worry and stress, then CBD is the saving grace you may need. As I like to say, I got 99 problems, and CBD solved like 84 of them… The calming effects of CBD go a long way. Over time, it can help you cope with major life events, deal with your anxiety, and get better rest because of it.

2. CBD Can Help Your Pets

Yes, even pets need relief from anxiety and stress too! I’ve heard stories about dogs that get anxiety when their humans are away during the day, causing all sorts of messes and constant stress. CBD oil sprays and drops can have very similar effects on dogs, cats, and other animals.

3. There’s More to CBD Than Calming Effects

Not only has CBD really come out strong as a wellness and overall calming product, but we have also discovered the positive effects it has on skin, cell regeneration, immune system function, digestion and even energy and blood sugar levels. CBD has a lot of power to help overall wellbeing and to help you get on track to reach your fitness and lifestyle goals (especially as we head into a new year).

My Top CBD Products

Can’t decide on which CBD oil product to try? No problem! I’ve got some excellent choices for you to check out. My personal top choice is this 300 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil. It’s a great product for anyone who is just looking for some calming effects. I notice it’s especially helpful come time for “that time of the month” and ladies, it does help tremendously with cramps and pains.

300MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil Drops by CTFO

Buy Now – $49.97 Wholesale

Want something with a little more “oomph”? If you’re looking for something to help with intense pain, like that from arthritis, or severe anxiety, then this 10x Pure product is definitely worth it. Sure the price tag is a little more, but the 10x Pure product is 10 time more effective than anything else on the market right now.

10x Pure 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil Drops by CTFO

Buy Now – $99.97 Wholesale

For relief of things like joint and muscle pain, this healing relief cream is infused with CBD and emu oil to provide deep comfort.

500 MG CBD Ultimate Healing Relief Cream with Emu Oil

Buy Now – $79.97 Wholesale

Want to take your bath time to another level? I especially love this product when I’m feel achy or sore. These bath bombs also make for an amazing Christmas gift idea! You can also purchase them indvidually for $14.97 each.

CBD Bath Bomb Combo Pack – Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus & Grapefruit

Buy Now – $49.97 Wholesale

Want to chat more about CBD and what products are available to help you? Send a message to the CBD Babe on Instagram or find me on Twitter @IntentlyAmy.

Be well.

Finding Balance

Well hello last month of 2020…. we’ve been waiting for you! If it wasn’t bad enough that this year brought on a whole new level of public health fears and political anxiety, there was a lot of personal life struggles that came with it too. There are probably very few people that could say 2020 didn’t have some sort of personal life rattling event.

So now, we’re all about this “new normal”, whatever that means for you. Hence why I thought I’d share a little bit about finding balance in this crazy, hectic life because now more than ever we need to find harmony.

How do you juggle all the chaos without pulling out your hair and losing your mind? I’d say a lot of deep breaths, anti-worrying techniques, and intentional movements through it all… But, here are some practical ways you can start attracting a balanced lifestyle.

Identifying the Imbalance in Your Life

First, let’s start off by pointing out that not everyone knows exactly why their life feels out of sorts. Maybe you wake up with anxiety or go to sleep with worry and you can’t pin point exactly where it’s coming from. After all, isn’t EVERYTHING a reason for worry? Trust me, I know from experience that the minute you start thinking about the things that cause you anxiety, it all starts pouring in and you can’t stop the noise.

The first thing to do in this situation is to start listing all the reasons you actually have to worry. Truly identify the reasons and put them on paper. Take a moment to do this now…

… do it.

Now, hopefully after writing down these things you notice that there isn’t actually a whole lot on the list that either a) you can control, b) will impact your life significantly, or c) is long-term. In fact, looking at this list, I hope you realize that worries are sometimes over dramatized in our minds. When we actually sort them out and identify them, they become much much smaller.

Only Focus on What You Can Control

Here is your opportunity now to really take things into your own hands. Find those things on the list that are in your control. These should be things that can be stopped, helped, or avoided by taking an action.

For example, if you have a lot of anxiety about an upcoming test, then that’s in your control. To eliminate anxiety about the test, you can study and that will give you the confidence and tools to do well so you don’t have to worry about it.

Highlight all the things on that list that are actionable…. you can also circle them, put stickers next to them, write them out even bigger. Whatever you choose to do, call it out and separate it from the other things that you cannot control.

Prioritize Actioning your Anxieties Away

We’re at our final step. This is where you actually put your anxieties into check. You have all the power now… do you feel it?

In this step, I want you to put down in your agenda or calendar, whatever you use, time to action those things you highlighted above. Make time for it in your calendar because when you prioritize working on these things that means you are cleansing yourself of the anxiety associated with not taking action.

Most people would say, Amy, this is stupid because it’s too simple. But, I’d argue that the most simple things do not come easy to people. It’s really difficult to plan in time to address your anxiety and most of the time it’s because it takes doing things we probably don’t want to do.

Back to my example, studying doesn’t always feel like a whole lot of fun. Planning in time to do this is a discipline, and that’s where a majority of people will fail. They will not take time to be disciplined in their actions and to do the things that aren’t the fun things to do.

So, as we end this year with a solid effort to make it as great as possible, I encourage you to plan in those anti-worrying activities. Change your habits and make an effort to do the things no one else will do. A great benefit will be getting some better sleep going into 2021. End this year with peace and balance.

Namaste (<that felt right),
Amy

“Successful people do what unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.” -Darren Hardy

How To Write Your Vision Statement

In my last blog, I explained what vision casting is and how to use it to guide your life path. In this post, I’ll share exactly how to create that vision statement and what the process takes.

As I mentioned before, this is a pretty creative process. Writing a vision statement takes reflection, brainstorming, and a lot of critical thinking. If this isn’t something you’re used to doing, then it may feel a little uncomfortable at times.

Be willing to take a risk with your vision statement. Step outside of your comfort zone and really dig deep for what it is you want out of your life. So, as you get started, preparing to write your vision out, be sure to think about the basics of a vision.

I’ll write these out in question form so you can come back and ask yourself these questions along the way.

What are the emotions and sentiments you would like to feel about your life and your journey? ie. “I am proud” or “I am amazed“
What impact do you want to make on the world?
Where do you imagine yourself being and who are you surrounded by?
Is there a certain thing you want people to remember you for?
What is life like for you in 15 – 20 years?

The Steps of Vision Casting

To vision cast properly, you need to be prepared to look beyond your present situation. Remember, that a vision is something you aspire to create. It’s a place you want to be, not something you already have achieved. That’s what so magical about a vision. You have to believe that anything is possible.

To think through your personal vision, there are three simple steps. Each step in your vision process can be done throughout your day, or at an optimal time when you feel you have the most peace.

The important part of this is being sure that you have time to clearly think through what you actually want. You need to be able to spend time with yourself in an uninterrupted space, even if it’s just for 10 – 15 minutes.

Let Your Creativity Flow
Let Your Ideas Settle
Write it Down and Reflect

Let’s dive deeper into each step.

The First Step of Vision Casting

The first step to crafting the perfect vision is the exploration phase. Some people consider this brainstorming or ideation, but it doesn’t matter what you call it. The only important part of this phase is that you write down every possibility of what you want for your future.

You see, most people don’t really know what they want. They want everything. Sure, it all sounds good. But, that’s not realistic. You need your version of the best possible outcome, so that it’s clear in your life path.

If you’re uncomfortable writing statements, or don’t have a lot of experience writing, then just bullet point out your answers. Be as specific as possible and write every single idea down, even if at the moment you know it’s not right. You’ll have time to sort that out later.

The Second Step of Vision Casting

After you’ve written down all your thoughts, the next step is let it all sit for a while. Yes, that means leave all your thoughts on that piece of paper or notepad or document on your laptop and move on for a bit. The most critical thing you can do in your process is to allow your brain to really process it all.

Processing your vision will give your brain time and space to clarify. I highly recommend meditating on the ideas that you brainstormed. Take time to sit in a quiet space, close your eyes, and reflect on the ideas you have for your future.

The Third Step of Vision Casting

it’s time to start writing your statement out. Keep in mind that your vision statement can change. You can evolve.

The structure of a vision statement is pretty simple. It’s your end state, your impact, your surroundings, and finally your time frame.

In most vision statements, the time frame is not really mentioned, but I really believe a personal vision statement should have an understanding of when it’s occurring. As you get older, you’ll create new vision statements for further in your life. It’s essential to always have a goal for where you want to go.

As you write out your vision statement, make sure it’s clear. Write it down on paper and put it somewhere where you can reference it maybe once a week or if you’re feeling committed, every day. I wrote my vision statement in my goals and gratitude journal. It’s a simple journal where I write my gratitudes and thoughts each day and I have my vision statement bookmarked to reference.

Enjoy the process!

What is Vision Casting for Personal Growth

In the business world, vision casting is a term used amongst organizational leaders. The leadership at a company may go through a time when they are establishing the vision for the company, which involves writing out a vision statement, making sure their values and daily practices live up to the vision, and helping their employees to see the vision. But, this business practice of vision casting serves a lot of purpose in personal growth as well.

As you learn to live your life more intentionally, you’ll need something to root you. A vision can help you establish goals, find the path you need to take, and keep you centered along the way. In this short blog, I’ll share with you why it’s important to vision cast. Then, in a few follow up blogs I will break down how to write a vision statement, resources to help guide your vision, and my personal journey through vision casting.

Why Vision Casting Works

Diligence is the mother of good luck.
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.), 2006

There are a lot of debates on the internet about whether success is an outcome of luck or a result of hard work. Many people would agree success is guaranteed with hard work, but some do occasionally get lucky. Others, like Malcolm Gladwell would argue that it’s a little bit of both. You need to be in the right place at the right time. There may even be situations in which that path was just not meant for you.

So, what is it that actually makes someone become out-this-world successful and achieve their lifelong dreams? For me, the perfect summation to the factors attributed to success is vision.

The universe is a funny place. We are all connected in some magical way and the thoughts, emotions, and suggestions we put into the world tend to have a way of nudging things along. I don’t believe that we can alter destiny, but I do believe we choose the path we want to take. And it’s simple, it’s with our thoughts.

When we can tap into our thoughts and use them to direct the choices that we make each day, and develop the experiences that happen, then we are becoming more enveloped in our universe. If you’re up for going down this path a little more and reading about how to become “one with the universe” check out the EOC Institute’s blog on using meditation.

So, vision casting works because it drives the focus of your thoughts.

The Basic Architecture of a Vision

There are a few basic elements that make up the structure for a good vision. Of course, you’ll want to write it down, but it may take a while to develop. So, consider this a creative journey. If you’re someone who isn’t really into writing or being creative, use bullet points, short hand writing, and don’t stress too much about how you say something, but more so what it is you’re trying to say.

Remember that a vision is more inspirational and aspirational than it is actionable. It is meant to guide your future and give you purpose and clarity throughout your journey. You should be able to craft actionable goals based on your vision.

A vision is made up of five elements:

A desired end state, which is more than a feeling but includes the state of being you’re in, perhaps values, health, achievements
Your impact on the world around you, or your ultimate contribution
The environment you see yourself in or the people that you’re surrounded by
The values you project long-term, or who people will perceive you as
It’s long term, so it’s aimed at who you are 10 – 20 years from now

I’ll leave you with this final note. A vision statement can be as long or as short as you want it to be. It can be as simple as:

Each day, I wake up with a feeling of pride for my life’s achievements and my family’s impact on the world to make it a better place to live for our future generations.
Short vision statement example

You can imagine with this vision statement above, that this person has a family that is dedicated to helping their community and contributing to society. That is their form of success.

Start to think about your vision and what success looks like to you in your future. If you could look forward to 20 years from now, what would make you feel successful? In the next blog in this series, I’ll explain how to write your perfect (but ever evolving) vision statement.