January 2025
Is 2025 going to be an ‘Intentional’ year?
Shelbs and I at KW Christmas party this year.
“Stop being patient and start asking yourself, how do I accomplish my 10-year plan in 6 months? You will probably fail, but you’ll be far ahead of the person who simply accepted it was going to take 10 years.” – Elon Musk
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale
The word "intention" gets tossed around a lot, and for a while, it felt a bit too “crunchy” for me. But as life gets busier and fuller, I’m realizing I’m not necessarily more efficient—just stretched thinner. Like many millennial parents, I think it’s because I’m trying to do too much—in this era of instant gratification, Amazon deliveries, remote work, and relentless multitasking.
Lately, I’ve found myself yearning for less—less decision fatigue, fewer options, and yes, fewer dishes (kind of). As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been reminded time and again that life is finite. Watching how quickly the years fly by with my kids has only reinforced this. The days may feel long, but the years are heartbreakingly short. We have a limited window to truly be present with our children, and that doesn’t pair well with endless laundry, meal prep, packed schedules, or working every spare second. And that doesn’t even account for time for a date night, a social life, or a hobby.
Proof that this page does exist! Circa 2018
Through it all, I like to think I’ve gained a bit of wisdom in my 41 years. While I once dismissed "intention" as overly idealistic, I’ve come to see it differently—especially when reframed as living with intention. That clicked for me. Living with intention means waking up with a purpose, with clarity, and with a plan to take control of the day instead of letting it control you. Too often, I’ve started the day with good ideas, only to have it unravel as problems arise.
Lately, I’ve been exploring another idea: manifestation. Some of the most successful people swear by it—this belief that positive thinking can shape your reality. Do I fully believe in it? I’m not sure.
Then, I came across a gift my wife gave me on my 35th birthday: one of those fill-in-the-blank books titled I Wrote a Book About You. One page read, “One thing in our future I can’t wait to make happen…” Her answers stopped me in my tracks:
Buy a house (we did, 16 months later).
Get married (22 months later).
Get a kitty (1 month later).
Have 4 beautiful babies (we found out we were pregnant with our first 2 months later).
Shelby and I always joked about having twins, and when we found out about baby #3, we agreed it would be our last. Pregnancy had been hard on her, and we were ready to close that chapter. But life had other plans. During our first ultrasound, the doctor casually mentioned, “Well, there’s two in there.” I thought he was joking until I realized...he wasn’t.
In less than four years, we manifested a lifetime of riches: a house, a marriage, four kids, and yes, even a kitty. Maybe there’s something to this manifestation stuff—or maybe it’s just about living with purpose and positivity.
As 2025 approaches, my focus is on more intentional living. Here’s to a year of purpose, clarity, and meaningful change. Cheers to all the good things ahead.