Dad gave out Bibles to people he felt needed a reminder that God is always with them, despite their current beliefs and circumstances. Every Bible was a nice gift in and of itself -- easy-to-read text and about the length and width of an iPad Mini. Each Bible was protected by a clear cellophane wrap so it wouldn't get dirty when he carried it in his truck. He asked a mission preacher in Chicago to help him pick out several especially uplifting passages from the Bible. Dad then had a one-page letter typed with greetings and well wishes, and included the list of these Scripture passages. Crisp one-dollar bills served as bookmarks for seven of the Scriptures that he wished to highlight.
Preparation of each gift was a meticulous process for a man with thick, muscular fingers. Dad would cut the cellophane wrap along the bottom edge of the Bible and gently slide the book out of its sheath. He would staple the note to the front page and place the special bookmarks in the appropriate sections of the book. Then he would gently slide the Bible back into the cellophane wrap and seal the slit with clear tape. You really had to look close to see it had been opened at some point in time.
He always carried a few of these Bibles in the truck when he was on trips. Invariably he would meet someone at a truck stop who appeared down on their luck. Sometimes it would take a brief conversation for him to decide to give them the gift; sometimes he was inspired outright to just walk over with a Bible in hand. The response to his gift varied. Most people would simply take the book, thank him and walk away. Sometimes he found the Bible in the trash later...a few of them were even unopened. Some people, though, opened the cellophane wrap in his presence, read through the letter and noticed the dollar bills. A few of them got a little gleam in their eye. Or a tear. I remember one story where one of the "walk away" folks, after realizing what they had received, actually tracked him down in the truck stop's restaurant to thank him for his considerate gift.
In part, it was his example that inspired me to the decision of what I would give for Christmas presents this year...that, and my over-active imagination. You see, I've recognized that my imagination has been a success factor -- both a source and a driver -- for me in my life. I look at people whom I respect and admire, and I recognize one of their common traits is the breadth and depth of their imagination. My desire was to give gifts this year that would strengthen and magnify the imagination of the people I love. I felt that a vision board is perfect for fulfilling that intention.
The creation of a vision board is a very personal gift...a gift that you give to your self. It is a means for you to put energy in motion (emotion) into the Universe, the emotional energy that fills and surrounds your deepest desires and intentions. This energy is reflected back to you in the opportunities that occur over time for you to fulfill these visions. You are co-creating with the Universe! There's nothing more personal than that.
At a straightforward level, a vision board consists of images and words or phrases, representing places or events that you desire to experience in your future. At a personal level, these images exist to create an emotional response within you. They can motivate you at times to put a little extra effort into the completion of a task you might otherwise not finish.
At a more profound level, the vision board represents who you really are. Its contents inspire you, because you recognize your self in the images and words on the board. Because the vision board inspires you, it also inspires the Universe to work with you and through you. If you genuinely believe in your self on the inside -- deep in your soul -- then what you place on the vision board will happen on the outside. It's really this simple.
As it turns out, you are indeed the change you wish to see in the world!
A vision board is not substitution for actually doing the work that is required in making your vision into reality. The Universe doesn't do the work for you; it's not an employee or a servant in that regard. It works with you and through you. Be prepared to do the work when the opportunities come.
A vision board is also not a step-by-step or how-to guide on fulfilling your desires. It's not a plan; it's a vision. The details will come, and you will most certainly need to make plans to complete some of the tasks ahead. While both are essential in manifesting your desires, a vision generates a lot more enthusiasm than a plan.
That said, here are some suggestions to get the most from the experience of creating your vision board:
- Remember that creating a vision board is a gift to your self. What goes on the board is what will appear in your life experience in some future 'Now'. How long in the future is only dependent on the decisions and choices you make and how you feel in every moment.
- Find images, words or phrases that stir you up emotionally. The more levels where it rocks your world, the better. Pay attention to where in your body you feel a response when you look at the image. (That's an important part that I will discuss in a future post.)
- Let the images represent who you are. You should be able to look at each picture, word or phrase and say "I Am That". (Note that I didn't say "I will be That", or "I can be That". The affirmation is "I Am That".)
- When you put the pictures on the cork board or poster board, do it with love. Act as if you were wrapping a gift for your best friend, and you intend for the package to be just as special as the gift itself.
- Spend a few minutes every day "feeling" what you see on the vision board. Look at the images with love and gratitude, and allow them to inspire you. Believe that the opportunities to create this vision in your reality are already happening. ("How" they are happening is the subject of yet another future post.)
As much fun as this activity is alone, it's even more fun with others. Consider creating vision boards as a date night activity with your significant other, or a family activity with your kids. (Or, if you are a kid, consider suggesting a family night of creating vision boards to your parents.) If you do decide to make a party of the experience, and because a vision board is such a personal activity, I recommend that each person create their own board rather than creating a board that represents a collective vision. For example, as a family you may be inspired to include a vacation as part of your vision. Anyone who has taken a family vacation will understand that not everyone agrees on the definition of a good time. Allow everyone to put something on their personal vision board that they would enjoy on a vacation, recognizing that it might not be the next vacation when it appears.
I hope you find this post on vision boards useful. For everyone who reads this post, please know that it was my privilege and honor to write this for your information and benefit. It is with that expression of gratitude that I thank you for your time, and I wish you well.
On a personal note, if you were directed by a visual prompt on your Christmas (or birthday, or anniversary) present to read this post, please remember that the gift you were given is in the spirit of how my dad gave out Bibles while on the road. Pay close attention when you open it. :)
I leave you with a quote each from two great philosophers of the 20th century (of sorts):
- "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right!" ~Henry Ford
- "Try not! Do, or do not. There is no try." ~Yoda
Enjoy the day!
