Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What Is Your Vision For Your Life


[photo via]

Two-and-a-half years ago, my life looked like this. I was stuck in a dead end relationship, I was trying to persevere in order to get my MA and EdM, and I was terrified of being a single mother (although I felt as though it would come to that eventually).

Today, my life looks like this and this. Aiden is a happy, well-adjusted kid and a joy to be around (98.9% of the time), I found my single mommy groove and it has become my "new normal," I wake up every morning and get to do the most important work, and both my freelance gigs and career are doing pretty well. But most importantly, I'm living my life on purpose and with purpose.

How did this happen?

Vision.

(Well, that and the fact that I'm extremely blessed.)

I'm not bragging. I don't do it very well. But, I was having dinner with my girl this past weekend and I was illustrating to her how having a clear vision can keep her moving forward, in pretty much every aspect of her life.

Let's have a meta-moment and think about this for a quick second: before we get dressed in the morning, we have a vision for what we'd like to look like once we're all done. There's a picture in our mind of how our clothes should fit, how our hair should look, and how our make-up should be done. Simply put, we have a vision. And once our reflection in the mirror matches that image in our mind, we can say that we're done. The reason we take 20 -- 30 minutes (or more!) getting ready is because we want those two images to align with each other. (Of course, sometimes we're not happy with our appearance, but that's an entirely different post for an entirely different time. Let's stick with the analogy for the sake of this post...)

Two-and-a-half years ago, I looked into the mirror and the image that I saw did not align with the image that was in my mind. I was unhappy with the reflection that I saw and my vision was blurred.

But that's qutite alright. These things happen from time to time.

Life has a way of testing our vision and seeing if we're willing to do whatever it takes to stay the course, bounce back when we encounter setbacks, and keep pushing forward.

Perseverance.

Two-and-a-half years ago I was in over my head about how I was going to move forward, and I wanted a miracle. I didn't get one. Instead, I came up with a plan. I thought of actionable steps that I was going to take beginning that very day in order to align my reflection in the mirror with the image that was in my mind.

And that's exaclty what I did.

Step... by step... by step.

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been receiving lots of messages and emails from readers asking questions along the lines of "How did you get where you are today?"

Vision. I had a vision of what I wanted my life to look like and I began to take the actionable steps (even baby steps because every step counts) to make that vision come to fruition. (By the way, I'm not finished yet. I'm still working towards that vision.)

Now, I'm throwing a question back out to you guys: what is your vision for your life? What are the actionable steps that you're taking to make it happen?

13 comments:

  1. My vision...doing what I love doing and finding a way to get paid for doing it. Total bliss.

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  2. I love your story, it's so inspiring. Yes, a vision is necessary to see where you want to go. I'm living a vision I thought about a long time ago. It's a work in progress, but I'm getting there.

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  3. I'm similar in that way - I visualize exactly what i want out of my future (even going so far as to create a Hope Chest and/or vision board) and i find that it really does manifest itself, thru hard work and positive thinking.

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  4. The vision I have for my and my daughter's life is grand! I'm stepping out on faith, regardless of if I can see the path or not. I know that if I take care of the "why" (because it's my purpose), He will take care of the "how." Great post!

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  5. So true..without a vision you work harder and there is no clear path to success. A plan is such a great way to go.

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  6. My hubs and I were talking about our visions the other day! We need new visions, new direction for the next steps in our lives. I think we have been at a stand still for a almost 2 years now.

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  7. Wow this is so spot on to the convo I just had with my mother. Who I was while married is NOT who I am now and I love it because who I am now more aligns with the vision I had of myself all along. I'm not all the way there yet but I'm closer than I've been. lol funny I just wrote a similar post about my high school reunion. SPOT ON

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  8. Faith without works is dead. Awesome post. Much needed today, as I am attempting to create and successfully finish a vision board; one for myself, the other for my kids and I. Willing to accept any detour God has for my life, knowing that Romans 8:28 is true, In all things NOT some things, but ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his.

    Thanks for the reminder!!!!

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  9. Yep, vision is important, and I don't see how I could have done all of this without one. I knew how I wanted my life to look at this point, and thank God for having a plan very similar to "mine." My current vision includes even more faith in him (and lots of work on my part), so I know good things await. Great post!

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  10. i have to agree with some of the ladies...i definitely want God directing my path at all times..and without him i feel as nothing i do or touch will go very far. this was a thoughtful post as usual...you are such a great writer!

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  11. You've been through hell and managed to pull yourself up. You are one strong woman, Alicia!

    I still have no clear vision of who I really want to be, and what I want to happen in my life. Yes, after the vision, comes action. I hope I get there too someday.

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I love reading what you have to say!

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