I know this can sound a bit out there, but I have had friends who have done vision boards and some of their dreams from those boards have actually come true. I swear. Not just mundane things, but a job on a yacht for example, or funding for their company coming out of nowhere. I have heard of this happening enough times now that I am starting to believe there may be something to this whole vision board thing. So when Stacey Hoffer Weckstein of the Inspiring Moms Network told me about her new campaign, I thought I’d give my own vision board a try! This month I am working with Inspiring Moms Network on a project that helps women to Awaken their Age potential. What exactly does that mean? Guided by Lori Campbell and her book on the topic, it is inspiring people to foresee an exciting future for themselves as they age, as opposed to our cultural norm of fearing the aging process.
In my book, Awaken Your AgePotential: Exploring Chosen Paths of Thrivers, I introduce an emerging trend called AgePotential. AgePotential is a philosophical revolution to change how our culture perceives the daily process of growing older. AgePotential is all about choosing to live a thriving and engaged life instead of settling for the status quo.
As part of this campaign, my goal is to Awaken you to the knowing that this type of aging experience (thriving) is for real and the AgePotential reality can be true for YOU.
Be Well,
Lori
Personally I am not one to fear aging on a grand scheme in general. This may stem from the fact that internally I think I am only 23 years old, but I truly embrace the wisdom and self-assuredness that comes with age. The deeper understanding of life, and the knowledge that I will continue to grow, learn, and understand more as time goes by. That said I can not claim to love the wrinkles that are appearing, or the betrayal of my once swift metabolism. I am excited for the future, while at the same time savoring the present. As part of this Awaken Your AgePotential project I chose to create a future vision board to span the next several decades of dreams and to hone in on some of those hopes I am chasing. I have done collages like the one below based on some of my travels, but never a vision board, so I’ll give you a glimpse of my start and then keep an eye out for the follow up post for the final board once I’m done.
These are the instructions given on how you begin your vision board:
Clearly I’ve veered from the directions already at step 1…….
- Place two or three pictures of yourself at different ages in the middle of your vision board.
- Encircle the photos with a heart to symbolize a growing LOVE OF SELF. In doing so, you give your ever-evolving self a sense of acceptance and unconditional love.
- List attributes you value in yourself and place them around these pictures. Expressing self-love is an integral part of being YOUR OWN BEST CARETAKER. Placing yourself front and center gives your mind/body/spirit a message that you are worthy of focused attention.
- Set your INTENTION for this board. You are welcome to use the AgePotential Mantra of… “I Can, I Will, I Choose to Create and Live an Extraordinary Aging Experience.”
- Envision out three decades past your current age. For example, if you are in your thirties the board would depict you in your 40s, 50s and 60s.
- Decide on the main theme of each decade. It may be based on something specific you wish to accomplish or obtain, or it may be a general idea like: things that stretch me to get outside my comfort zone or opportunities that grow me to be more spontaneous.Allow yourself to dream and live the life you so desire. Wake up to all that you can be. Shine some light on a vision that may have been buried under a pile of fears for too long. Create an environment that puts you into a state of allowing. That may mean lighting candles, burning incense, using essential oils, or playing music that speaks to your heart. Remember, this process is not about impressing oneself or anyone else but rather about expressing your truest desires.
- Find images, photographs, quotes, affirmations, symbols, poems, songs, prayers that correspond with each decade theme. Draw from magazines, photographs, and the internet. Each theme should be stated clearly on your board so the eye catches the phrase at a glance. Be as creative and expressive as you can. Incorporate fabric and texture using scrap booking materials if you so desire. Any vision that doesn’t bring you alive is too small for you.
Things to Consider for Each Decade:
- Personal goals
- Professional goals
- Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth
- Evolving a unique role each decade like… Sue the advocate, Sue the author, Sue the musician etc.
- Developing a new skill each decade
- Your bucket list
- Identify the roles and responsibilities you will give up to make time and clear space for the new
Some of the pictures that may end up on my vision board!
Will you create your own future vision board? You never know, your dreams just may come true!
Connect with Lori Campbell Online…
Free AgePotential Resources :
- Free Chapter: What is AgePotential?
- FREE AgePotential Quiz. Find out if you have what it takes to live a robust, active, and fulfilling life
- FREE Weekly Aging Affirmations (because the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thoughts)
- FREE Videos at AgePotential TV
