Some of the people I work with don’t like the word ‘vision’ - along with words like ‘mission’ and ‘empowerment’ they eschew using it, believing it to have religious undertones. It must be to do with my meta programme - but I love it and use it all the time!
I use ‘visioning exercises’ a lot, both in my personal development and my work with others. I feel that the constant refinement and reinforcement of a clear understanding of the life you want for yourself is motivating and future focussed. The exciting thing is is that eventually you begin to manifest the things on your ‘vision list’ - a truly proactive and empowered state of being which Pagans refer to as ‘magic’.
You can use all sorts of tools to keep working on this - visualisation, ‘vision boards’, mantras, symbols, images, written statements and affirmations. For me, this ranges from visiting the area that I want to live in (pictured - and there’s even bell tents or yurts in the distance!!) and creating a deep connection with the landscape there, to the symbol of my made-from-recycled-drinks case covers ‘manifestation chicken’ - which keeps me focussed on the smallholding I would like to run. If you would like your partner and family to be in your ‘vision’ - it is useful to check in with them about the vision they are working towards - its no good when one of you wants to be a Scottish salmon farmer and the other is visioning living in Japan! In fact, working towards a shared vision is very strengthening to a relationship - combining efforts into a common goal.
I noticed recently that school teachers are now using visioning for an ideal community and world with pupils. This is really encouraging to hear - and there is hope for us all if we are creating proactive, generative and caring young people who are equipped to manifest a better world. Of course, having a vision is not enough - we need to combine it with application and focus. As the old proverb says:
A vision without a plan is just a dream.
A plan without a vision is just drudgery.
But a vision with a plan can change the world.
What a beautiful picture. Where it was taken?
Hi Elizabeth - stunning isn’t it - that was a special moment when we took that picture - its from the top of Pilsdon Pen, an iron age hill fort in West Dorset and looks towards Colmers Hill, Bridport and the sea. Its my favourite place in the whole world.