in·ten·tion [in-ten-shuhn]noun
1. an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.
2. the end or object intended; purpose.
fear·less [feer-lis]adjective
1. without fear; bold or brave; intrepid.
Why “Intentionally Fearless,” you ask?
I had an experience where two different people described me – their view of me – as fearless. Hearing them explain why was fascinating to me. While I know I have done many things in my life other people haven’t done out of fear – I had not particularly seen myself as fearless. It led me to look back and evaluate my life and how I live it.
You see…while to others I might seem fearless…I can identify a number of times in my life when I have not done something out of fear. Passed on an opportunity…missed out on an experience…didn’t speak up when I should have. I wonder…what blessing did I miss out on, what growth did not happen, what change did I not effect?
I do not want to ask myself that again.
Each day, I want to choose to live my life “intentionally fearless.” It’s not easy. Sometimes I fail in that goal, but have grace for myself and continue to press forward. I do not want to miss an opportunity to grow, to experience, to be a voice, to bring about change in the world.
I choose to be intentional. Be fearless.
About Me…
Now that you know the why behind Intentionally Fearless, here’s a little more about me. I’m an East Coast native spending the first 23 years of my life in Northern Virginia – just 25 miles outside of Washington, DC. Raised by a Norwegian Dad and American Mom in a Brady Bunch family, I am blessed with seven siblings all over the world. I remember a childhood of fun trips both in the States and to Norway, and I am sure this is part of what instilled my love of travel. One of the coolest opportunities I took in my life followed this by answering a Help Wanted ad in the Washington Post for a nanny who needed to go to Germany. I applied and got the gig! Nannied for an awesome 3-year-old whose parents worked for the State Department. This, of course, furthered my love of travel.
My return from living in Germany found me a few months later really itching for another adventure. That adventure turned out to be a cross-country move to Portland, Oregon, with my brother David. What originally started out as a 6-month give-it-a-try turned into 19 years! Coming from the nation’s Capitol to the PNW in the early 90s was a bit of a culture shock. We’d been in a racially and culturally diverse area, political, fast-paced…and moved to a tree-hugging, very white city where 20-year-olds go to retire!
All of that said, I fell in love with the Portland area and all of the PNW. The beauty, the coast, the food, the view on faith, the heart. My brother and I being there led to our Mom retiring there in 2010 – we knew we’d get here to the left coast one day.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself in the middle of the country in the state of Oklahoma! Yes, I know…I didn’t see it coming either. I’m a coastal-loving, social-justice-minded, news junkie, liberal-leaning, lover of Jesus – residing in the land-locked, conservative, Bible-belt of America.
What’s here? My life!
2014 found me in a place of transition, and God brought a person back into my life whom I’d known for 12 years. Little did I know that reconnection would lead to us starting a business, begin dating, and lead to me moving here by January of 2015 and married by that summer. How wonderful it did! I get to live my life with my love, Jason, be a stepmom to two amazing boys, Foster and Caleb – and snuggle two amazing fur babies, Lincoln & Ila.
My travel bug is still a part of who I am, and I keep an eye out for deals and opportunities to make it happen. Outside of trips for work or weekend getaways, summer trips with the boys camping and exploring the States, I am now exploring what the expat life might look like down the road.
I’m a foodie and have loved cooking since I was a kid. I also love exploring new restaurants and trying new cuisines. It doesn’t have to be 5-star either – be it a food truck, a dive, or linen tablecloths – if it’s great food and a great experience – I’m in! It’s even a way I show love to people – preparing a meal, having people over, taking food to someone who needs it. It’s a part of me at my core.
My Focus
I want to find more ways to positively impact the world around me and encourage others to do the same. To continue to help the marginalized and hurting. To fight for issues of social justice. To keep mental health and suicide prevention a priority. To be a voice for the voiceless. To show love to those others show hate or indifference. To not be silent in the face of racism. To love and fight for those who are widowed, orphaned, homeless, hungry, and the foreigner. To be fearless and intentional about keeping this at the forefront of my mind. To not be complacent. To love as Jesus loves, without walls, borders, or lines drawn in the sand.
My desire is to live this out in an even deeper way in my life. Loving beyond. Be it in my actions, my words, my writing, my daily life. Loving others unconditionally, making a difference, and doing so in an intentionally fearless way are how I want to live each and every day.
Thank you for joining me along the way!
