With 2016 fast approaching, I’m planning for the best year I’ve ever had. You can, too. People often employ resolutions at the year’s beginning to set a course for new and improved behaviors. Success varies and is often short-lived, and then disappointment sets in. Here’s a different approach to creating a wonderful year: make your own vision board.
A vision or dream board is a collection of pictures, words and images displayed on a piece of poster board. It can be any size you want. Mine fits on the top of my dresser so I can see it every day. These selected pictures are meant to evoke the feelings you plan to experience as you move through the year.
Terry Taylor is a Master Certified Coach and suggests that you “design your vision board to pull you to create what you want to be, do, and have. To avoid the pitfall of lackluster motivation or jaw clenching willpower, ponder your desires then write about the emotional experience that goes along with it. That’s how to make it compelling and irresistible.”
Taylor noted that many times people find a picture of their goal, which might be a new Mercedes or a stack of money. This is OK, but dig a little deeper to find a representation of the energy you’ll have when you own the car and have the money.
The excitement in a room full of people creating their vision boards is contagious and inspiring. There are stacks of magazines, plenty of scissors, bottles of rubber cement and the hum of conversations. Experience this for yourself at Unity of Olympia’s First Friday event on January 1. First Friday is a monthly series of programs that promote social awareness and provide opportunities to give back within our community. This past year’s programs have supported Community Youth Services Rosie’s Place, Homeless Backpacks, Pizza Klatch and many others. The community is invited. All events are free and donations are accepted for the designated non-profit organization.
January’s First Friday will transform the sanctuary into an arts and crafts room. Reverend Terry Murray will direct the group. The event is free and open to the public, and donations will be accepted for the Make a Wish Foundation. There will be some supplies, but you can bring personal photos, favorite magazines, stickers or images you have preselected.
Rev. Terry explained that sometimes people do a quiet meditation ahead of time, but this is not required or necessary. Others go straight to cutting out an abundance of images and then sort through them to pick out themes and those parts that especially speak to the inner being. Rev. Terry started making vision boards as a youth at a Unity Church. “I do one every year,” she said. Over time she’s adjusted her process and now prefers to “leaf through magazines to find what speaks to her heart,” whether or not she knows exactly why. After a pile develops, she re-examines them and picks the ones that stir the deepest feelings. Rev. Terry trusts her inner being to select the pictures that will support and propel her to her best year yet.
Diane Christie, a Heal Your Life® Coach, finds power and joy when working with vision boards. She makes one for herself each year and said, “Creating an annual board is a colorful and joyous exercise in ‘seeing’ life. The pictures and quotes represent important goals and desired experiences. During the year, it is a colorful reminder where to focus thoughts and activity … on our life’s vision.”
I made my first vision board years ago. The bottom held a long, rectangular photo of a well-sculpted woman lying in the sand. It exuded warmth and sunny climes. Clearly, the Universe got my message and continues to listen. In 2015, I traveled to Mexico four times, stayed in Costa Rica and had stops in Haiti, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. For the past two years my intentions have been set around healthy living and being with loved ones. It’s exhilarating to create a tangible representation of the coming year. You don’t have to believe me; you can find out for yourself.
Mark your calendar for Friday, January 1 at 7:00 p.m. The event will be over at 8:30. For people who are looking for more ways to reinforce their intentions, Rev. Robert and Mrs. Lara Brzezinski are offering two different New Year/New Vision classes at Unity – one on Saturday, January 2 and another the following Saturday. Both begin at 8:00 a.m. They are separate, so you can take one or both. For more information, click here.
Here’s another way to support your excellent year. Versoria owner Terry Taylor is beginning a new Desire Mastermind on January 14. The 2-hour introductory session is complimentary. Register by January 10 in order to receive the materials to do ahead of the program.
Each weekday I receive an inspirational, smile-creating message from Notes from the Universe. Mike Dooley is founder and author of TUT, a business originally begun to sell Totally Unique T-shirts. It’s come a cosmically long way. Here’s a recent note that speaks to taking the time to fabricate a dream board:
You eat to nourish your body. You sleep to rejuvenate your spirit. You study, work, and apply yourself for emotional gains. You exercise to tighten your muscles. You listen to music to entertain yourself.
You’re not at all averse to investing time and energy for the rewards you seek. So how about you spare just a few minutes every day to visualize the life of your dreams? Because nothing else you could ever do will make such a profound difference in your fortunes and misfortunes as working with your thoughts and beliefs.
You are so worthy of all you dream of.
You can start now,
The Universe
