Living Intentionally: Stay Behind

For the next few weeks we would like to feature some thoughts on this year's theme: The Intentional Woman. The focus will be what the author calls "the counterintuitive principles of living intentionally," which are listed in today's reading. Also featured at the end are some theme products you might consider using for your fall events.

Stay Behind

By Ellen Miller

I think the concept of living intentionally is a bit counterintuitive. Although many of us grasp the big picture, sometimes we're a bit foggy on how best to go about living on purpose rather than just having life happen to us.

The counterintuitive principles of living intentionally include:

• Fake it
• Scrap your priorities
• Stay behind
• Break a hip
• Whine
• Be confused
• Disappoint someone
• Spend it all today

Most motivational speakers and professional mentors will tell you that to live a successful life, you must be aggressive and "get out front." I think this is flawed thinking. If you really want to live a life of difference, get behind someone who knows the track.

Several months ago my husband, Steve, and I took up bicycling. Most weekends, we log between 30 and 50 miles on the trails around Dallas atop our sleek silver street bikes. Sometimes my confidence kicks in and I take the lead, but most of the time, I hang back. I've found some significant benefits to staying behind.

Since Steve is more knowledgeable about the sport and more familiar with the course, he serves as my guide. Often I hang back several feet, watching him zig and zag-alerted in advance that the path is about to become more difficult to navigate or that a gaggle of marathoners has congregated. He provides a heads-up when the path becomes tricky and it's time to apply the brakes.

Do you allow anyone to help you navigate the potholes in your life? Or are you heading toward a wipeout? Girlfriend, ask for direction or get behind someone who has successfully dealt with life's blows. Such a person makes a great trail guide!

Drafting is a common practice in cycling that illustrates what I mean. When you are drafting, you follow only inches behind the leader's back tire. The lead biker faces the resistance, allowing you to keep up while exerting only a fraction of the energy.

When the winds are blowing hard in life, many high achievers try to face it alone. How often do you let someone block the headwind for you? Allow someone the privilege of helping you face your adversity-you'll both benefit from the experience.

The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God'slaws their own, so they will never slip from His path (Psalm 37:30,31, NLT).

Excerpted with permission from The One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends by Ellen Miller, ©2009, Tyndale House Publishers.

Theme Products (Order from www.women.ag.org)

The Intentional Woman Bible study. Item #382250.

Coasters (package of 6). Item #735478.