Intention, Time, and the Sacred Act of Slowing Down

Where does intentional living, self-care, and meaningful experiences fit into your life? Are you trying to fit these things into your busy schedule? Do you plan self-care activities when the kids are in bed? Do you only schedule meaningful experiences when you have vacation (holiday) time stacked up? Or are you diligent and intentional about your life? Are you adding self-care as a routine? Do you make a space for meaningful activities every day or through intentional living? Today, we talk about such ideas.?

Let’s get started.

How we spend our time is important. I know we are intentional about our careers. But what does the rest of your life look like? Work can drain our energy and raise our levels of anxiety. If we neglect our personal lives, then we can get lost in a continual downward spiral and not know (or understand) how we got there. ?

Go Outside!

Since my heart attack in 2022, I have been intentional about going outside, walking, hiking, and really spending time in natural surroundings. For me, this could be the beach (I live near the city of Virginia Beach . . . Atlantic Ocean), the woods, or the mountains (Shenandoah, VA or Grandfather Mountain, NC). Regardless of where I am, connecting with the outdoors reconnects me with myself. And since I’m training for an Appalachian Trail thru-hike (2026), I’m outside every day. The return on this investment is exponential!

Making Time for What Matters

A common theme in life is:?time is precious. Generally speaking, many people feel that they have so little time and (typically) way too much to do. From this perspective, time is precious. We don’t want to waste it. But the question we don’t ask ourselves is: How should I spend my time?

Ironically, when I was in college, my Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) mentor’s motto was, “What is the best use of my time right now?” ?

He was right. This should be a question we ask ourselves to help us manage and organize our time so that we make the best use of it.

Suggestions and Tips:

1.????? Learn to organize and plan ahead. Make the best use of your planner/organizer. And if that is not working for you, find one that will. And we are not just talking about the calendar on Google or other platforms. Your calendar should help you with daily schedules, to-do lists, and even an affirmation or two (for good measure).

2.????? Be intentional with time blocking. When you schedule time for something, such as a project, dinner, or even reading a book, stick to that block of time. You will accomplish more and feel more confident about what you did.

3.????? Be in control of your time. And be stingy about it. That is, don’t allow other people to infringe on your schedule. Don’t be that person who wants to please everyone, so you open your calendar to everyone all the time. If you do this, you will burn out. Let “me time” be just that . . . me time!

Additional Takeaways

Here are a few practical ways to bring more intentionality and balance into your life:

1. Personal Time: Make personal time a priority.
2. Plan Ahead: Identify moments when you can prioritize yourself and your loved ones.
3. De-computerize (is that a word?): Step away from your phone, computer, and so forth. You can do it. Trust me, everything will be okay.

Sacred Divine Wisdom

Life is a blend of busyness and beauty. The sacred act of slowing down—whether it’s through a walk, a quiet afternoon, or intentional family time—allows us to connect deeply with ourselves and those we love.

What intentional practices have brought peace and fulfillment to your life? Share them with us in the comments or on LinkedIn.

Dr. Keith McNally & Noemi Beres bring you more tips on aligning yourself with your true nature in The Sacred Divine Podcast. Listen to the first episode here . . .

?The Sacred Divine - Episode #1

More from Keith J McNally . . .

Suicide Survivor

As you know, I am training to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025. This is called a thru-hike because I intend to hike the entire trail northbound from Springer Mountain, Georgia,, to Katahdin, Maine. Please consider supporting the hike through my GoFundMe page.

For more information, click the link below for Walking The Path.

walkingthepath.net

As a five-time suicide attempt survivor, I recognize the importance of human connection. When I wanted to die by suicide, I had no one to turn to, to trust in, or tell my story to. This is a lonely experience . . . an experience no one should go through. My mission is to have the conversations . . . and to change the conversation . . . so we are connected and feel validated for our own feelings.

Your Story Matters

If you have made the attempt to end your life, let’s talk. I would like the opportunity to share your story with the world. If you have been left in the wake of someone who has died by suicide, please share your story with me as well.

And if you are still grieving the loss of someone close to you who ended their own life, I know people who can help.

Disclaimer: If you are currently facing levels of stress in your life and are contemplating suicide at this moment, reach out to the credentialed professionals who can help.

SAMHSA & 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | SAMHSA??? ?

About the Author

As an author, podcast host, and purpose-driven/leadership coach, my goal is to help you to redefine your life, get out of your “stuck” situation, and explore your world so you can create real purpose for your life. My book, Walking the Path – A Leader’s Journey is a must-read for anyone looking to create real impact and meaning for themselves and others. I have a heart for those who find life intolerable and frustrating (even scary) because I’ve been there. My goal is to have conversations with each of you so that you feel appreciated, valued, and secure in yourself. Talk soon!?

-????????? Dr. Keith McNally