Thursday, September 15, 2011

State of the Union: An update on my year of living with intention

What happens when you step into the life you know you're meant to be living? ....
I've been pondering and living this this summer, and as the season begins its transition to Fall, new things are up on my radar and I'm excited to share them with you. 

Since my focus this year is on intention, and living with intention, I've done so much hard work in staying grounded, true to myself, and focused on staying clear. I've worked with astrology and energy guides, practiced ritual, discovered the joys of a good soak and steam, walked into a gym and signed up, been touched (and motivated) by amazing friends who've brought me to the gym, introduced me to spinning and to yoga, and learned how to build a diet based upon a base of vegetables and fruit. I've looked deep inside at my core and rediscovered my love of music, and have taken up a new instrument. I've reconnected with my passion for the outdoors and have kayaked, paddleboarded, and hiked my way through the summer. And the long lost fashionista of my younger years has re emerged. She's had to, since every piece of clothing I own has had to go. I've shed over 37 percent of my original body weight.

This journey of intentionalism isn't over. I will always have more work to do, but I'm doing this work now while out in the world. Art, theater, culture, the outdoors, PLAY: the world opens up to you when you allow yourself to let down all that burdens you from other people's hang ups or judgements, and focus on being true to your core. At least it has for me. 


As I turn this corner into fall, I look what's coming next on my radar, and there are journeys planned that will take me across the country, and around the world. We're going to Australia. And I think about how it feels to be out in the world, and I breathe in and lengthen my neck in yoga, I push harder and crank up the notch more in spin class, because the confidence of change, the confidence of being true to myself, and the confidence in knowing I'm living the life I'm supposed to be living, is becoming more and more clear to me. And I can't wait for what's yet to come.

Who knows what I'm going to continue to write about here in this space? I could diverge off to the sides about nail polish color (I'm having a hard time getting into the flat grey color that has been so in this season, you know?), or styles (oh my god I'm learning the joys of putting a belt on everything), or what headband really works for catching sweat when you work out hard (and why do so many of them insist on putting a logo right on the middle of your forehead?!), or the challenges of staying on path, grounded, and centered, or the best hikes and how I rate them in Portland's Forest Park, or color, design and fashion analysis (color blocking: let's discuss the pros and cons), the sweet little thoughts of life like how to be a really great friend. 


When I look back at what I've written here on Lelo in Nopo over the six and a half years I've had this blog, it's been a broad swath of topics. In the beginning there were so many more personal stories (aaah, the early, golden days of blogging where people used them as personal journals!), then as I shared my passions around gardening and cooking, so many fantastic people helped chime in and grow that conversation. My political rants and views were common occurrences here in the early days, but as the blog grew in recognition and my real name became associated with it, my personal writing became less and less of the content here. 

So who knows? I suppose this is part of the journey, as well. In the meantime, the journey of intentionalism has been hard, and at the same time it has been very simple, but most of all, it is fun. Who knew? And I continue to ask myself the question, "Who am I?" I suppose that's the truest form of intention.

Some snapshots of a summer of intentionalism...

13 comments:

Unknown said...

What an inspiring post. As my husband and I work toward our goal of long-term travel, I have been forced to look at my life with more intention. What is most important to us and what do we NEED? While I'm still on a journey to understand those needs and not get sucked in by instant gratification and outside pressures, it has been an eye-opening experience.

Congratulations on the great strides you've made to understand your essential self and to lose so much weight! Both are such an accomplishment.

Jacquelyn said...

This is lovely and inspiring.

GRACE PETERSON said...

Well, LeAnn, the state of your union sounds really, really good. Please don't hesitate to share your ups and downs with your readers. They inspire us.

wboswell said...

you are just simply one of the loveliest people I've ever met. This post just confirms that impression!

Heather said...

I am so proud of you and know EXACTLY how it feels to do what you're doing (as you know!). Congrats and keep it up girl!

(PS - I love that you spell grey with an e!)

mrbrownthumb said...

Congrats!

This was suppose to be the year that I did the same thing, but kind of got sidetracked. Thanks for the reminder that I need to evaluate myself and live with intention.

P.S I remember the personal stories and I hope they come back in some way. I always enjoyed that style of your writing.

Zoe said...

Well, this calls for congratulations, and also thanks - your example of setting intentions and living them out is inspiring. You've proven it can be done... with style!

Wacky Mommy said...

wow. just wow. xo to you, Adri and Winky-woo. Love the pix, as always. My favorite photo all summer, from anyone, was of you w/ Wink sacked out under your beach chair.

Unknown said...

Looks like you guys had more fun this summer than I've had in my whole life! Living vicariously ...

Best Wishes, Marie said...

leann, i have felt your soul through your blog and some of our exchanges. you sincerly strive to be better/ do better. it is good to have a focus. and then awesome to see where some of these new roads lead. good job.

Stephen said...

This is a terrific post. I have been on a simiar journey. The eating part has been easier, I am a 30+ year vegetarian & my husband is a vegan.

The real work for me has been not regretting the past or worrying about the future.

I remain a fan & a weekly reader of your blog.

Lauren said...

Thank you for posting this. As others have said, it is inspiring -- especially for those just on the precipice of similar journeys. Thank you.

Jennifer Cloer said...

I was going to say "you inspire me" and then I see you inspired many people with this post. I've had a similar year; though, I think I've got a lot more work to do. My focus has been physical - shedding the weight, learning to eat right and become strong, which is certainly not only physical, but that next piece is just starting to come. Look forward to sharing stories and inspiration!