My words for 2016

For a few years I have created a vision board. A visual guide to my hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. A map of the most wanted, if you will. 

Before I started using images (visualization), I would send myself a wishlist email. It worked really well. 

In the subject line I would type "2012" or whatever year it was. 
In the body of the email I would write a list of most wanted for the year. 

New tattoo
Weekend getaway
Car
New deck
​Etc... 

I would send myself the email and make it "urgent" and then every few months or whenever I thought about it,  I would have a look and see what could be crossed off the list. By the end of the year I was always pleased that almost everything I had hoped for, had happened. The things that hadn't happened I realised, either I didn't want that badly, or were neglected in favour of new "wants" throughout the year. The only problem, it was focusing more on what I wanted in material terms, not on how I wanted to feel. 

Visualization is one of the most powerful mind exercises you can do. 
According to the book The Secret, "The law of attraction is forming your entire life experience and it is doing that through your thoughts. When you are visualizing, you are emitting a powerful frequency out into the Universe."

So when I started creating vision boards I thought this was going to be an even better way of manifesting my every desire. Not quite. 

I got so caught up in perfecting my boards that I never finished one fully. 

I used a few excuses;
- Magazine pictures aren't quite right.
- I hate collages.
-I don't own any magazines.
-It feels too messy.
- I was too busy.

I still really wanted a vision board, despite the excuses, so I started saving pictures in a folder on my computer and printing them out. This was going to be much better for my mental health than looking at pictures all overlapping in odd shapes with gaps and lack of symmetry. (nightmare!)

Even with the symmetry and the right pictures, I never managed to finish a board. Not until this year at least. This year I created two. One that I didn't like (not symmetrical enough) and the one I finished. 

I  used 3 key words in my vision board  thanks to Chris Brogan 

2016: PATIENCE. ABUNDANCE. STRENGTH.

Patience - is knowing that the universe has it all mapped out for me. It's knowing that if I eat right and exercise, my health goals will be met in due time. Patience in my relationships, with people I love, with my children.  I really want to learn patience this year. 

Abundance - Knowing that I have abundant sources of income, love, friendship & support and anything else for that matter. Knowing that I won't starve.

Strength - In the physical sense, I mean the strength to pick up really heavy shit. Mental strength.. I could do with a lot more of that. Strength to know that I don't need that bag of chips. The strength to support my loved ones, my clients and my friends in whatever way I can serve them. 

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This year I focused mostly on how I want to feel with pictures of people and places I love - a few words of inspiration - symbols that are precious to me and my three words for the year. 

The great thing about a vision board is that it is your own. There are no rules (unless you choose to not use magazines and have nothing touching, which is my rule!) You can include your health & wellness, family, spirit, career, goals, travel, relationships... and if in a few months you are feeling differently, you can make a new one! 

​If you shy away from setting goals or creating a vision for your life because you’re afraid you won’t follow through, try creating a vision board. What's the best that could happen?

The only thing I left off my vision board was this..