Mary Oliver’s poem The Summer Day resonates deeply with me. Her evocative words capture the essence of mindfulness and intentional living:
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Oliver’s question, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” invites us to pause and reflect deeply. For me, as a hiker, this brings to mind the trail rule: “Leave only footprints.”
As I get older, I realize that it’s not the physical “stuff” I’ll leave behind but the essence of who I am—how I live my values, treat others, and show up in the world. This, I hope, will leave a lasting mark on my family, community, and the generations that follow.
The most important question, then, may be this: What imprint do you wish to leave behind in the world?
Step 1: Begin with Vision
Envisioning your perfect future begins with clarity. What brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose? You might consider taking a moment to reflect and journal:
- What values and principles guide your choices and actions?
- What sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and sensations make up the rhythm of your perfect day?
When I think about my vision, it’s less about accolades and more about how I show up for
others. It’s about being present with my nieces and nephews, sharing lessons I’ve learned, and inspiring them to honor their values.
My vision is rooted in relationships and the essence of who I am because that’s the size and shape of the footprint I wish to leave. What about you? What essence will you leave behind in the relationships and lives you touch?
Step 2: Create Key Milestones
Once you have a vision, the next step is to identify the milestones that will bring it to life. These are the major goals or achievements that mark progress on your journey.
For example, if your vision includes fostering personal growth, your milestones might include starting a mindfulness practice, improving physical health, or strengthening connections with loved ones.
Ask yourself:
- What are the key steps required to move closer to my vision?
- How will I measure success at each stage?
Breaking your vision into milestones makes it tangible and achievable, turning dreams into
actionable goals.
Step 3: Take Action Today
As Joel Arthur Barker said, “A vision without action is merely a dream.” Begin with small,
intentional steps you can take today, this month, and this year.
Today:
- Reflect on your values and write them down as a guiding compass.
- Use the Wheel of Life exercise to assess your current balance across areas like health, relationships, and career.
This Month:
- Identify one area to improve and set a measurable goal.
- Take one action step, like scheduling a mindfulness practice or reaching out to a mentor.
This Year:
- Create a timeline for achieving your milestones, keeping it doable and measurable (I set no more than 5 goals for the year). Commit to steady, intentional progress.
Step 4: Embrace Obstacles
Challenges are inevitable, but they also hold the seeds of growth. My husband recently shared a profound insight: people who are “planners” differ from those who are “preparers.”
Planners create frameworks with the expectation of order, while preparers embrace chaos as the natural order of things. Preparers build flexible systems that adapt to change rather than trying to eliminate it.
When obstacles arise, it’s easy to fall into the planner’s mindset—creating processes with the intention of exerting control over every aspect of the situation. But the preparer’s mindset teaches us to work with chaos, relying on our unique abilities and using tools like flexibility, adaptability, and mindfulness.
When faced with difficulties, pause and ask yourself:
- What can this teach me?
- What small and measurable step can I take to move forward?
Mindfulness helps us reframe obstacles as opportunities for growth, building resilience and
clarity for the road ahead.
Step 5: Gather Resources and Support
Every vision requires resources, skills, and support to become reality.
Consider:
- Resources: Books, courses, or tools to help you learn and grow.
- Skills: Strengthening abilities like communication, time management, or resilience.
- Support: Surrounding yourself with a community that encourages and inspires you.
At Mind Body Align, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Whether through mentors, colleagues, or friends, shared wisdom and encouragement amplify our ability to achieve our goals.
Step 6: Celebrate Progress
Celebrating progress reinforces momentum and reminds you of your accomplishments. But
celebration isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about honoring your effort in ways that resonate with you personally.
The 5 Love Languages—words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, receiving gifts, and physical touch—can help you celebrate in a way that feels meaningful:
- Words of Affirmation: Write your achievements in a journal, or share them with a friend who can offer encouragement.
- Quality Time: Spend time doing something you love, like enjoying nature or pursuing a favorite hobby.
- Acts of Service: Make life easier—organize your space or schedule self-care as a treat.
- Receiving Gifts: Reward yourself with something special, like a symbolic item or a favorite treat.
- Physical Touch: Care for your body with a massage, yoga class, or even a luxurious bath.
Remember, celebration isn’t only for the big wins. Each small step deserves acknowledgment because it builds momentum for the journey ahead.
Step 7: Build Accountability
Accountability transforms intention into action. When I decided to train for a triathlon—a story I share in The Right Side of Happiness — I knew I’d need a system to keep me on track.
As someone who didn’t naturally identify as an athlete, the goal felt intimidating. So, I enlisted a friend as my training partner and joined a supportive group of fellow triathletes. On hard days, knowing others were counting on me kept me going.
Preparation was key. I broke the challenge into manageable parts—learning to swim properly, building cycling endurance, and increasing my running stamina. On race day, as I stood at the starting line, I reminded myself that this wasn’t about winning. It was about honoring the commitment I had made to myself.
Crossing the finish line wasn’t just a physical achievement; it was a reminder that accountability systems—whether through people or processes—are essential for turning dreams into reality.
Ask yourself:
- Who can help me stay accountable with compassion and encouragement?
- What systems can I create to track my progress?
- How can I celebrate wins and adjust as needed?
One Wild and Precious Life
As Mary Oliver asks, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
This question is a call to action and a gentle reminder of life’s fleeting beauty.
The footprints we leave behind are shaped by the choices we make, the values we embody, and the way we show up for ourselves and others.
Take a moment today to reflect on your vision. Use tools like the Wheel of Life to chart your course. Begin with one small, intentional step. Celebrate your progress, remain flexible, and lean on the support of those who inspire you.
What will your footprints say about you? The journey is yours to create.