Today’s blog post is from Linda Naini, MPH, CCRP (yogi, wellness coach, meditation teacher, health analyst, and my friend). You can occasionally find Linda taking a class, leading a meditation session, or offering one of her unique workshops at extendYoga. And great news… she’s leading a Vision Board Workshop THIS Sunday at extendYoga!
An Amazing 2014: Vision Board Style!
After TanO’s awesome yoga class last Saturday, I was drinking some yummy tea in the cozy extendYoga lobby and blissfully chatting it up with a fellow yogini. She mentioned that she doesn’t have New Year’s resolutions and that every day is new and she takes it a day at a time.
As a mindfulness meditation teacher, I agree and love the practice of being in the NOW for so many reasons that I would love to tell you about (perhaps in another blog if Arlet ever gives me this amazing opportunity again)!
So, what are vision boards?
A visual aid of what you would like to see, feel, and be in your life.
Arlet’s vision board from last year’s workshop (above)
If living in the NOW is the way to go, why would I create a board envisioning the future?
So here’s the thing- I know what I want to see, feel, and be in my life, but then these little distractions show up like:
Facebook, other people’s opinions (friends, family, significant other, coworkers, magazine articles, blogs, cultural norms, etc.), bills, errands, traffic, Google, unexpected life events, work, and so on… and then I’m checking emails, sending emails, texting, going to social events, joining various groups, checking off items from my do list, making the cut, making the money, living the dream… WAIT…
STOP!
Whose dream am I living? Whose dream am I striving for?
I see vision boarding as a way to pause and look within and create a visual reminder of my heart’s desires. So that I am not as easily swayed and confused in this world that is constantly telling me it knows what I need in order to live my best life.
I think Carl Jung said it best:
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
me and my board (above)
A vision board is a tool that helps me stay awake for this ride we call life. When I take the time to really look within and create my board from that space, I have a tool that reminds me of my heart centered focus and flow. So this simple yet powerful tool helps keep me moving on my heart’s tracks. And when I do hop on some shiny new external track, I’m more apt to notice and hop off before I’m taken for a ride.
How do I make a vision board?
There are various methods and what I find to be most helpful is to clear my head and really take some time with my heart. So before I take out my poster board, scissors, glue stick and favorite magazines, I breathe and meditate. Once I’m in a blissful state of mind, I take some time to visualize how my best life looks, feels, smells, tastes, and sounds. I journal about it, looking for key themes and words and once I’m clear on what I want and why I want it, I start flipping through magazines. I then cut out words and images that depict my vision in a way that is energizing and empowering.
When do I make a vision board?
It’s always more fun and powerful to create vision boards in a group setting where you can gather information, get ideas, and receive input from other people. Vision boards can be created at any time and some of my favorite times to facilitate vision boarding parties:
-each new calendar year
-birthday
-graduation
-anniversary
-bridal and baby showers
So what are you waiting for? Join me for a vision boarding party! Happy vision boarding everyone and enjoy your AMAZING 2014… wherever it takes you.
Linda is passionate about helping clients of all ages live their best and most authentic life. As a certified Wellness Coach through the Maryland University of Integrative Health, she loves creating and offering fun, effective, and focused programs for groups and individuals that combine research-proven techniques with ancient traditions from around the globe. She also offers private sessions via telephone, skype, or in person at Rooted In Bliss in North Bethesda, Maryland.