Ten Short Essays. One Intention Life,
This book isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about discovering who you’re meant to be in every area of your life.
Ten Balloons invites readers ages 15 to senior citizens to explore ten essential arenas—Career, Education, Adventure, Finances, Friends, Family, Hobbies, Mental Health, Physical Well-being, and Spiritual Life. Each short, thought-provoking essay helps you reflect, reset, and rise with intention—designed to be read in 10–15 minutes.
You won’t find advice here. You’ll find challenges—real, personal, and practical prompts that help you write your own mission statement for each balloon. With included worksheets and journaling ideas, you’ll be guided to define your values, clarify your goals, and shape a life that reflects your true purpose.
Great for individual growth or group discussion, Ten Balloons is a quick read that makes a lasting impact. Whether used as a daily journaling prompt or a conversation starter between mentors and mentees, coaches and players, teachers and student leaders—this is a tool for building a fulfilling life from the inside out.
Your best life doesn’t begin someday. It begins with intention—today.
Ten Essays Living an Intentional Life
What if your life had ten balloons, each representing a vital part of who you are? This essay introduces the concept of personal mission statements for each area of life, encouraging reflection, intentionality, and a messy but meaningful start.
Essay 1: Mental – Training for Life
Mental clarity is the starting point for growth. This essay invites readers to invest in their inner world, creating space for reflection, focus, and purposeful action.
Essay 2: Career – More Than a Job
A career can be a calling, not just a paycheck. This essay encourages reflection on purpose, legacy, and building a life aligned with who you are becoming.
Essay 3: Adventure – The Road Itself
Adventure is a mindset, not just travel. Through personal stories, this essay shows how curiosity and risk-taking can turn life’s detours into intentional journeys.
Essay 4: Education – A Lifestyle of Learning
Education is a way of life, not grades or diplomas. The author demonstrates how curiosity, mentorship, and learning rhythms elevate leadership and purpose.
Essay 5: Financial – More Than Just Money
Financial choices shape every part of life. This essay explores how aligning money with values, seasons, and purpose matters more than accumulation or perfection.
Essay 6: Hobby – Passion with Purpose
Hobbies are sacred spaces where joy meets meaning. The essay shows how pursuing passions fuels life, refreshes energy, and enriches other balloons.
Essay 7: Friend – The Quiet Force Behind Everything
Friendships quietly shape our lives. This essay invites reflection on connection, presence, and thoughtful care that strengthens all areas of life.
Essay 8: Family – Where Love and Loss Collide
Family is tender, complex, and transformative. The essay explores presence, grief, and creating a legacy of meaningful connection.
Essay 9: Primary Relationship – The Anchor and the Challenge
Our most intimate bond is both an anchor and a challenge. This essay highlights courage, honesty, and intention as keys to a healthy, lasting relationship.
Essay 10: Physical Balloon – A Lifelong Mission to Stay in Good Shape
Physical wellness supports every area of life. The essay emphasizes persistence, presence, and adapting fitness over time to enjoy energy, resilience, and joy.
Contact mike@tenballoons.com