Life moves faster than a Saturday night in Nashville. One minute you are answering emails, attending meetings, and chauffeuring kids and the next you pause and wonder how you ended up in a pile of to-dos without a single quiet moment. I know that feeling all too well. Over time, I have realized that intentional living is not optional. It is a deliberate, conscious choice to prioritize what matters, to align actions with values, and to create a life that feels both purposeful and joyful. For me, intentional living is rooted in three pillars: family, career, and personal passions.
Family as the Cornerstone
Family is everything. Watching my children grow, celebrating their wins and being present in their daily lives fills me with purpose. Being present is not just about showing up. It is about listening and understanding . I have learned that parenting is a balance of love and attention.
Intentional living with family also means setting boundaries. It is knowing when to say no to things that do not matter so that you can say yes to what does. Baking together on a weekend, planning a trip to DisneyWorld, or enjoying a quiet conversation might seem small, but these moments build memories that outlast the chaos. Presence matters more than perfection. I would take one fully engaged hour over a dozen distracted ones any day.
Cultivating a Career of Purpose
My professional journey has been anything but linear. I faced obstacles that could have ended the story before it began. I did not give up, and eventually, I earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Management. My career in HR is about more than policies and paperwork. It is about influence, leadership, and creating spaces where people feel valued and respected. I like to think of it as being part partner , part therapist, and part magician.
Intentionality in a career means choosing opportunities that align with your principles. It is mentoring others, leading with empathy, and refusing to compromise on integrity. Success is not simply a title or a paycheck. True success is measured by the positive impact we have on others, the guidance we offer, and the example we set. Nashville has taught me that resilience, charm, and a sense of humor are essential tools for navigating both life and work.
Embracing Personal Passions
Intentional living also requires space for personal passions. Baking and cooking, for example, are more than hobbies. They are acts of mindfulness, creativity, and restoration. Turning a handful of ingredients into a chocolate fudge pie or a hearty lasagna is a reminder that patience and care can produce something beautiful. Plus, it makes me look like a culinary genius when my kids think I magically made dessert appear.
Reading urban fiction, exploring science fiction, and watching Marvel movies provide intellectual stimulation and imaginative reprieve. Music, particularly R&B and hip hop from the late 1990s and early 2000s, keeps my soul grounded. These passions are not distractions. They are intentional investments in my energy, creativity, and wellbeing, which allow me to show up fully for my family and work.
Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the heart of intentional living. It is about being present, making deliberate choices, and aligning actions with values. It allows us to engage with life fully and to navigate challenges with grace, insight, and sometimes a well-timed sigh. Mindfulness helps me appreciate the richness of each moment, whether it is sipping a quiet morning coffee, watching my children play, or celebrating small victories at work.
Intentional living is not a destination. It is a practice that requires reflection, courage, and commitment. For me, family, career, and personal passions, grounded in mindfulness, bring clarity, purpose, and joy. When I reflect on my life, I want to remember not only accomplishments but the moments I showed up fully, loved deeply, and lived intentionally.
Living intentionally has taught me that life is not just about surviving challenges. It is about curating a life of meaning, laughter, and fulfillment. It is about savoring the journey, cultivating joy, and occasionally laughing at the messiness along the way. Life is a story, and intentional living ensures that it is a story worth telling.