My Personal Ten Commandments: A Guide to Intentional Living

“We do not think our way into a new kind of living, 
we live our way into a new kind of thinking.”

- RICHARD ROHR

Life has a way of reminding us—sometimes gently, sometimes with a jolt—what really matters. Recently, I found myself in the hospital, worried that I might be having a stroke. After tests and anxious hours, the diagnosis came: an eye stroke, brought on by stress and a nervous system that was thrown out of sync. I wasn’t physically broken beyond repair, but I realized I had been spiritually and emotionally off balance.

That experience became a turning point. I asked myself: How do I want to live my life from here on out? What habits, rhythms, and practices would truly honor my body, my mind, and my soul?

From that reflection, I wrote what I now call My Personal Ten Commandments—a practical guide to living fully, intentionally, and with grace.

My Personal Ten Commandments

1. Abide Daily in God’s Presence

Begin each day with prayer, breath, or lectio divina; remember that God walks with you in every task, large or small.

Life can feel busy, but when we pause to center ourselves, we notice God in every moment—from folding laundry to answering emails.

2. Honor the Rhythm of Work and Rest
Keep Sabbath sacred; balance activity with stillness. Let Shabbat, daily pauses, and retreats refresh your soul.

Our bodies and souls need regular cycles of rest. Sabbath, pauses, and retreats renew us.

3. Pray Over Your Home and Hearth
Bless your living spaces, your meals, and your family; let your home reflect sacred care, warmth, and hospitality.

A home is more than walls—it’s a space for blessing, nourishment, and care. Prayer brings sacredness into everyday life.

4. Live Seasonally and Liturgically
Celebrate creation and the Church calendar; notice the changing seasons, feasts, and rhythms of life.

Nature and the Church calendar offer natural rhythms. Marking seasons and feasts helps us stay grounded and thankful.

5. Grow in Gratitude and Joy
Name blessings daily; cultivate wonder in ordinary moments, from morning light to a shared meal.

Life is full of small blessings. Naming them cultivates joy and wonder in ordinary moments.

6. Nurture Your Body as a Temple
Hydrate, breathe, rest, move, and eat mindfully; honor your physical needs as part of spiritual life.

Physical care is spiritual care. Mindful movement, rest, and nourishment honor the gift of your body.

7. Engage in Continuous Reflection
Keep weekly, monthly, and annual check-ins; journal insights, lessons, and intentions for growth.

Regular reflection helps us track growth, recognize lessons, and make intentional choices.

8. Serve with Love and Generosity
Offer time, attention, and care to others; let small acts of kindness be your daily worship.

Service is an expression of faith in action. Even small acts of kindness have great power.

9. Embrace Silence, Solitude, and Wonder
Allow space for contemplation, creativity, and listening; cultivate an inner sanctuary of peace.

Creating inner space allows contemplation, creativity, and connection to God.

10. Live Intentionally and Authentically
Let your actions, habits, and words reflect your deepest values; choose what aligns with your vocation, family, and God’s calling on your life.

Aligning our choices with values and vocation gives life purpose and coherence.

How to Create Your Own Personal Ten Commandments

You can craft your own life-guiding principles using these steps:

❊ Reflect on Your Life: Consider what matters most to you—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Identify habits or patterns that bring you joy, peace, or purpose.

❊ Write Your Commandments: Create 5–10 short statements that capture your core values and practices. These are your guiding principles for daily life.

❊ Explain Each One: Add a sentence or two explaining why each is important and how you practice it.

❊ Keep Them Visible: Post them somewhere you will see every day—on your fridge, in a journal, or on your phone.

❊ Review Regularly: Life changes, so revisit your commandments weekly, monthly, or annually. Adjust them as your growth and circumstances evolve.

That hospital experience was a wake-up call. It reminded me that life is too precious to live distracted, stressed, or unaligned. Now, every breath, every prayer, and every small act of care feels like a step toward a life fully lived.

Start Today: Take a few quiet moments, reflect on what matters most to you, and begin writing your own Personal Ten Commandments. Share your journey, and let them guide you toward a life of intention, joy, and peace.

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