About

About the Founder & Editor:

An advocate for simplicity, minimalism and intentional living. Una-Melina is an award-winning poet, writer, designer and minister who loves to encourage and inspire others toward their creativity and calling. Looking through the loving lens of God’s grace and goodness living this analog lifestyle she calls Intentionalism.

Intentional Living, aka Intentionalism…

It’s more than minimalism. It’s purpose-driven decisions and real authentic relationships. It’s living loved and learning to let go. It’s the careful choice to rest in God’s best, grow in grace, make a positive difference and leave a legacy of love.

-Una

Hi! I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you receive some encouragement and inspiration from my humble offering of pictures, posts and poems here in my little corner of the internet. Welcome to my (virtual) home online! My name is Una, I am an American living in Ontario, Canada for more than twenty years, I am married to a handsome creative-type; he is a pastor. We have two amazing young-adult children who still live at home with us, and for more than a decade, all the way through high school graduation, studied at home while enjoying a wide variety of “worthy books and things” (this site’s former identity); we called this a living education and we loved it! P.S. For those of you who have been following their education journey from this blog’s inception- They were both accepted into the colleges and universities of their choice and are pursuing their dreams as they practice intentional living and demonstrate God’s love in action.

I am all about simplicity, minimalism, mindful moments and intentional living. For those who are interested, my Birkman map is all in the blue quadrant of ‘thinker’, I am an INFJ, and a highly sensitive person. I like to travel. I am seasonally affected and solar powered. Sunshine on my shoulders makes me very happy!

Here at INTENTIONAL LIVING I write about many things, usually related to living a simple life fueled by God’s grace, creativity and authenticity, using the filter of Philippians 4:8 “…whatever is true… honorable… just… pure… lovely… commendable… if there is any excellence… anything worthy of praise… think about these things.“

Outside of what I do here I am a writer, designer, minister, and creative, and an Intentional Living coach and consultant. I help people discover their design, envision their values, live with purpose, and leave a meaningful legacy. I work with/minister to individuals, small business owners, ministers, creatives and entrepreneurs who need help developing, organizing and implementing appropriate strategies and systems that enable them to flourish and prosper spiritually, personally and professionally (3 John 1:2).

My husband and I are the Senior Leaders at a vibrant, growing church near Toronto where it is my delight and privilege to minister to the ministers as part of the Executive Team. I regularly support, encourage, coach, counsel and pray for our staff and executive ministry team as we equip the Church for the work of the ministry. It also brings me great joy to offer spiritual guidance and practical encouragement to the next generation of ministers and leaders as they learn to use their gifts to live with purpose and make a positive difference in the world around them.

I love art, architecture, nature and the colour green. I studied interior design, and recently finished an eighteen-month intensive renovation of a 1947 bungalow in our home town. I have a passion for the presence of God; I believe God is love and everyone is my neighbor. I have a great appreciation for silence, solitude, poetry, nature, sunshine and Scripture.

As a writer I will cover many topics here from blog posts inspired by my daily life to devotional writing and opinion pieces, sometimes I may share portions of my most intimate experiences or verses of personal poetry, as well as practical and informative articles that encourage and inspire you to live your best life. As a designer I may share some before-and-after photos and offer anecdotal design advice and/or commentary… we’ll see how this develops based on interest (both yours and mine). As a minister, I’d love to encourage and bless you any way I can. Hopefully this site will be a blessing to you.

Let me know what you’d like me to write more about, what topics are your favorites, and how I can improve your experience here by leaving a note in the Comments or via the Contact page.

Live with purpose… Live loved

Una