Intentional Living
"Intentional living," While it could be literally translated as "deliberate living," this term carries a deeper philosophy. It signifies a way of life where one consciously makes choices aligned with their values and goals, rather than mindlessly drifting through existence.
Those who live this way exhibit four characteristics.
First, they make value-based decisions. They base their choices on their core values, not on social expectations or inertia. They tend to have low self-consciousness and are largely unconcerned with others' choices or circumstances when it comes to what they want. They always have desires and structure their lives to achieve them.
Second, they maintain mindfulness in everyday life. They strive to be fully present in the current moment and their choices, rather than operating on autopilot. They recognize their existence here and now. Even if this physical body isn't the ultimate reality, they respect the self living this present life. They are the helmsman of their own life. They don't hand over control to others.
Third, move by design, not default. Design over default I actively curate my experiences rather than letting life just "happen." I change my position to align with my values, to where my being can fully thrive. That position can be physical or psychological. What matters isn't whether it's physical or not, but that I don't leave myself at the default setting.
Fourth, I act purpose-driven. Purpose-driven actions Each activity connects to a larger purpose or vision. Individual actions don't stop at their immediate results. They link with other activities, aiming toward a greater purpose or vision. It means acting to move in a better direction. All of this is rooted in the values I desire and the purpose to achieve them.
Is it necessary to force myself to live an intentional life? Many people already live intentionally in some form. The difference lies in the degree. And living intentionally doesn't guarantee I'll always achieve my desired purpose and values. Sometimes, just enduring by default is the safer option. Living intentionally doesn't mean always acting beyond the default settings or refusing to attempt anything that doesn't align with my purpose. Rather, to live intentionally—to move solely according to my own design—I might strategically adopt a default-setting lifestyle. Even if I don't recognize it at the time.
In fact, we might already be living 'intentional lives'. Much like Lewis Carroll's White Queen who said, 'Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.' Unconsciously, we were already making value-based decisions, practicing mindfulness in daily life, choosing design over default settings, and acting purpose-driven. We just hadn't labeled it an 'intentional life'.
Just as Molière's character realized, 'Good heavens! For over forty years I've been speaking prose without even knowing it was prose!', we too suddenly realize. 'Ah, I was already living an intentional life.' It's not about starting anew, but recognizing the stream that was already flowing. After all, a stream flows where it must. Recognizing the stream that was already present in my life might be another way of looking at one's own existence.