These times of intense change invite us to be clear and intentional about how we live our lives. Ultimately our time here on Earth passes quickly and we leave our mark through the way that we spend every day – the choices we make, how we care for those around us, and how we communicate.

So it’s worth taking some time to examine what makes our light shine brightly. And what dampens it? How have we been expressing ourselves? With love and positivity, anger, or negativity? Do we stifle and hold in our feelings or let them flow freely? What’s the tone and melody of our unique song, or way of being? Is it joyful, melancholic, or sweet; calming, strong or jarring? And is it in harmony with the values we hold most dear?

Lately I’ve been contemplating the angry rhetoric of the predominant political discourse, and wondering how conscious the politicians are of the negativity they’re spreading. It seems that even many people I know, love, and trust have become more quick to judge and condemn others, and more reticent to listen to someone else’s perspective or try to find common ground. It’s as if powerful waves of collective emotion and dogma are crashing and swirling around us, shaking the mooring that usually keeps us achored in civility and rational thought.

Intentional Living

Sometimes adversity can shake us out of complacency and strengthen our convictions. I believe we must have a strong anchor in these times, to not get swept away in the stormy waves. That anchor is a commitment to living in very intentional ways, in alignment with our values.

Regardless of what’s happening around us, this is something we can all do. Stay centered and strong. Make sure we’re living life on our own terms, instead of drifting in the tides. Carefully choose how we spend our time. Be selective about what we expose ourselves to and what we allow to bother us. Here are five steps to help ensure that you’re approaching your life from a place of conscious intention:

5 Steps for Anchoring Yourself

  1. Define Your Sphere of Influence. What can and can’t you control? All those things that you can’t control are outside of your sphere of influence. So don’t spend time worrying about them as you’ll just feel depleted. If there’s a particular issue you care deeply about, find concrete ways to act on it. And if you can’t, let it go. Envision a bubble around you – and then only those things you can influence are allowed within your bubble. Everything else falls away. Maintaining this boundary will help you stay anchored and present, and safeguard your mental health.
  2. Know What Matters to You. Some people are very clear on what their core values are, while others may need to take some time to reflect and clarify them. Make a list of what you care most about. What would you like people to remember you for? What makes you feel nourished and fulfilled? What are your top three priorities in life?
  3. Create Space for What Matters. Now take a look at your life and how you spend your time. It’s amazing how often we give time and space to the things that aren’t really that important to us, and crowd out the things that are. Do you have ample time for your top priorities? Are there daily routines that you can shift to create more space for them? And ensure you’re making time for the people you love the most?
  4. Eliminate What Doesn’t. We tend to get distracted by many things that really don’t matter. Like reading the news or scrolling on social media. But unless those are an essential part of your job, they probably don’t add much value to your life. And they’re beyond your sphere of influence. So limit those and you’ll naturally create more spaciousness for the people and things you care most about.
  5. Check In Regularly. I find it helpful to do a weekly or monthly self check-in. Revisit your priorities and reflect on how you’re spending your time. Are you staying firmly anchored in what matters or are the distractions creeping in again? Are you nourishing yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually? How strong is your inner light? What does your “song” to the world feel like now?

Our life path is formed each day. Sometimes even a slight adjustment in perspective or routine can make a world of difference. When we commit to living intentionally, on our own terms, anchored in what we value, our life becomes a coherent reflection of who we are. And regardless of what type of music beats in our hearts, our song is beautiful.

This is my recommendation for countering the negativity. I can’t change most of the things I wish were different in our society. But I can be strong in how I live my own life. I can positively affect my small sphere of influence. I can continue to make choices that are kind to the natural world, and interact with the people around me in heart-centered and caring ways. I can let my light sparkle and my song ring clearly. And if many of us do the same, together we’ll create a brighter and more melodious future.

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