A New Way to Vision 2021
If you’re like me and want to start 2021 off right, here’s one of my favorite tools for launching the year with intention, guidance and inquiry - vision boards.
But this year I have a twist-
I created a new thing- a Soul Vision Board!!!!!
Did you download the free pdf? If not, you can right here. Or watch this quick video of me explaining a vision board on TV a few years ago, too!
Making vision boards is one of my family’s New Year’s Eve traditions. The fireplace is roaring, the Christmas lights (and music) are blasting, and I’m typically on the rug, ripping, cutting and gluing, making a giant mess!
If you’re like me and want to start 2021 off right, here’s one of my favorite tools for launching the year with intention, guidance and inquiry - vision boards.
But this year I have a twist-
I created a new thing- a Soul Vision Board!!!!!
Did you download the free vision board pdf? If not, you can right here. Or watch this quick video of me explaining a vision board on TV a few years ago!
Making vision boards is one of my family’s New Year’s Eve traditions. The fireplace is roaring, the Christmas lights (and music) are blasting, and I’m typically on the rug, ripping, cutting and gluing, making a giant mess!
Normally I’m extremely intentional about this project.
I think about the different areas of my life and how/what I want to experience in each. I’ll have imagery for my spiritual development – maybe a picture of a book, goddess or teacher. I’ll have a picture of a place I want to visit (typically someplace where I can ski), for years I had African animals – elephants, giraffes… I’ll find images of things I’d like to accomplish – pictures of jewelry, words that are inspiring…
But something happened last year that made me alter how I make my vision board. I learned a new collage technique from a friend. It’s called SoulCollage®.
SoulCollage® is an intuitive, contemplative way to collage using only imagery (no words). With their technique, you make a set of cards and then read them- eliciting meaning from the images you’ve assembled.
So I decided to adopt this idea, of allowing the journey to take me, rather than control it (by looking for very specific images and words).
Instead, I chose pictures that caught my eye. I didn’t worry about finding the “right” word or picture but relaxed into the process, trusting that the ones I found were the right ones.
Here’s the important thing- I didn’t entirely do the SoulCollage® technique. I simply tweaked how I used to do vision boards.
Here’s My Board for 2021!
Before I began, I took a moment to think about the year ahead and then I added this new dimension making it more emotive, metaphoric, allowing it to arise from the unconscious, rather than being so concrete.
I did add words that appealed to me, and do have a little corner of the board that depicts things I still really want (like a ski trip.)
Once you’ve assembled all the imagery and words together, step back and really take a look at the whole board.
What is it telling you about how you want to live your year?
Perhaps what you’ll hear isn’t so much about what you will accomplish, instead it’ll be more about how you will experience your everyday life.
How does that sound?
I’m excited to see how this new technique influences 2021.
From all of my years of doing vision boards, I know they work.
At the end of each calendar year, I look back on the photos and words I put together the previous January and can see all the things that came to pass.
So be intentional, and allow your soul to sing to you about what it wants for you this year.
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photo by Gerd Altmann
5 Tips for Manifesting the Life of Your Dreams
We all have dreams and plans for how we want our life to be.
I'm sure you’ve laid in bed and fantasized about sailing the Caribbean, being married to your ideal partner, living in a ski in/ski out house on the mountain... having a passionate, full life.
Right?
So the question then is ~ How do you take that dream and manifest it?
We all have dreams and plans for how we want our life to be.
I'm sure you’ve laid in bed and fantasized about sailing the Caribbean, being married to your ideal partner, living in a ski in/ski out house on the mountain... having a passionate, full life.
Right?
So the question then is ~ How do you take that dream and manifest it?
Turns out, it’s actually really simple.
Don’t believe me? Keep reading.
In only 3 steps you can take your life from dull and mediocre to inspiring and fulfilling.
Ready?
1. Vision / Intention
The first step is to get really, really clear about exactly what you want. Many of us kind of know what we want but haven’t spent the time to actually flesh it out.
Ask yourself:
- What’s my dream life?
- How do I want my life to be?
- Think about this from every aspect of your life, like:
- Job/career
- Money
- Relationship
- Family
- Fun time
- Vacation
- Spirituality
- Creativity
- Health
- Recreation
- Exercise
- Think about this from every aspect of your life, like:
- How do I want to feel?
- Now think about how you want to feel once you've achieved your ideal lifestyle. Maybe emotions such as: exhilarated, inspired, satisfied… This is a KEY piece because you don't want to be a millionaire who's always stressed about finance, do you?
2. Repetition / Attention
Once you’ve allowed yourself to vision, be sure to write it all down in vivid detail.
Write it as if everything has already happened.
Here’s an example of how to get started:
“I am so grateful that I live in this amazing 2 bedroom apartment overlooking the Hudson River, that I run my successful health and wellness business that provides me with $10,000 /month in revenue for the twenty hours a week I work, that I have highly skilled support, that I share my life with (name) and our relationship is deep and fulfilling, that I feel so excited every day when I wake up…”
Put your written vision statement in a place (maybe next to your bed) where you can read it both in the morning and at night before you go to sleep.
Do this every day.
Be sure to read your vision with passion.
3. Relax and Enjoy
Once you put your intention and vision out in the Universe, get ready to enjoy the ride!
Because here’s the thing: we co-create our world with Source, God, One-ness, the Universe. And that means everything will unfold – we just can’t exactly control when or how.
For many of us recovering control freaks, this can feel scary.
The other two steps (1 & 2) are easy. They’re do-able tasks that can be completed.
This third step involves a leap of faith.
Put your dream out there, focus on it with your attention but try not to get uptight about it. Instead, see if you can allow yourself to enjoy the journey and watch the mystery unfold.
It’s magical.
If you follow these 3 simple steps, you can manifest your deepest dreams and desires and truly transform your life.
Are you ready?
Share your dreams with me!
Leave a comment below with ONE thing you want for yourself. That way, I can help hold the space for you!
Stay inspired and motivated.
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The Power of Visualization
My 15 year-old daughter is taking a standardized test in English and as I think about preparing her for it, I’m reminded of an exam I took not so long ago. It was for Psychopathology, a required class for my graduate program in Social Work. We were essentially required to memorize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), read scenarios and apply diagnoses.
All of us students were struggling.
On the last day of class, we showed up on Saturday morning for our final. Before our professor passed out the exams she said, “I want you to close your eyes.”
Being the dutiful student I am, I complied.
She then went on. “Imagine yourself in a library. See the rows of books and all the information. This is what is within your brain. It has all the knowledge and answers. Allow yourself to access this, remembering it is here for you as you read each question and answer it.”
As I listened to her words, I saw myself in the library. I observed how my mind was made up of all this information, of the countless hours I’d spent studying notecards, discerning the differences between types of schizophrenia and personality disorders, between major depression and dysthymia, and on and on.
I took a deep breath acknowledging that all the answers would revel themselves to me. Then I opened my eyes and took the test.
My 15 year-old daughter is taking a standardized test in English and as I think about preparing her for it, I’m reminded of an exam I took not so long ago. It was for Psychopathology, a required class for my graduate program in Social Work.
We were essentially required to memorize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), read scenarios and apply diagnoses.
All of us students were struggling.
On the last day of class, we showed up on Saturday morning for our final. Before our professor passed out the exams she said, “I want you to close your eyes.”
Being the dutiful student I am, I complied.
She then went on. “Imagine yourself in a library. See the rows of books and all the information. This is what is within your brain. It has all the knowledge and answers. Allow yourself to access this, remembering it is here for you as you read each question and answer it.”
As I listened to her words, I saw myself in the library. I observed how my mind was made up of all this information, of the countless hours I’d spent studying notecards, discerning the differences between types of schizophrenia and personality disorders, between major depression and dysthymia, and on and on.
I took a deep breath acknowledging that all the answers would revel themselves to me. Then I opened my eyes and took the test.
Upon finishing, I felt relieved. I’d confidently answered many of the questions although there’d definitely been a few that had stumped me. Either way, I knew I’d passed. Phew.
When I returned to school the next semester, I had the same professor for another class. After the first lecture, she approached me and told me I’d only missed two problems on that Psychopathology exam. I was shocked.
Why did I do so well?
The Power of Visualization.
I truly believe that if my professor hadn’t reminded me that I knew everything and walked us through that activity, I wouldn’t have done so well.
Can you think of a time when you’ve visualized success and it’s worked? Maybe before a race or a big event? Prior to a lecture or trip?
Using Visualization Does Two Things:
1. It Keeps Worry at Bay
We’re focusing on what we want and not spending a lot of time and energy on what we don’t want (that’s worrying).
2. It Invites the Universe to Help Us Create the Future We Intend
We’re always creating our world even though we don’t often realize it. By becoming aware of our thoughts, emotions and imagery, we can begin to manifest more of what we want into our lives.
Recently I used visualization as a way to staunch my panic and manifest a last minute solution.
I was heading to Morocco and accidentally misread the boarding paper. It was in military time, 17:50, but somehow I was reading it as 7:50 pm. Not so good. We got on the bus at 4:30 pm when I realized my error giving us a little over an hour to go 30 miles on the bus, get through security, and clear immigration to make our international flight.
Needless to say, my traveling companion was furious but I kept telling her: “Visualize us being on the plane. See us sitting there.”
Then she replied, “Fine. Imagine yellow seats because that’s what Ryan Air looks like.”
Sure enough, we got on that plane! The power of visualization.
I seem to always remember to use this tool when I’m in a crisis or to deal with anxiety but the key is to remember to use it all the time. When we plan our lives. When we see our future. When we think about our health. When we find ourselves worried about our children.
Visualize What You Want.
See yourself in perfect health.
See our world at peace.
See your business thriving.
Your children safe.
Your finances growing.
See it, feel it, bring in as much emotion and meaning as you can and watch the magic unfold.
Let me know how YOU use visualization in your life.