The Wild Iris by Louise Gluck

What is our life's journey? What is our vision?  Vision Boards are a great way to connect with your inner goals and spirit. Life is a journey, cliche yes, and vision boards help us see the journey we want. 

I am reading the book "Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search..." and finding it to be fascinating. Elizabeth Gilbert is expressing the feelings many of us have, but dare not express. 

Like many others, I found the quote "From the center of my life, there came a great fountain...." to be so profound. It is such a spring-board for thought and inner reflection.  Take a moment to think on this. What is your great fountain?

And, of course being the left-brain person that I am, I was curious to see where the line had come from.  Here is the poem in its entirity. Enjoy and reflect.


From The Wild Iris:
by Louise Gluck

At the end of my suffering
there was a door.

Hear me out: that which you call death
I remember.

Overhead, noises, branches of the pine shifting.
Then nothing. The weak sun
flickered over the dry surface.

It is terrible to survive
as consciousness
buried in the dark earth.

Then it was over: that which you fear, being
a soul and unable
to speak, ending abruptly, the stiff earth
bending a little. And what I took to be
birds darting in low shrubs.

You who do not remember
passage from the other world
I tell you I could speak again: whatever
returns from oblivion returns
to find a voice:

from the center of my life came
a great fountain, deep blue
shadows on azure sea water.

Do You Believe in Miracles?

“Do you believe in miracles?” at first blush seems a simple yes or no response. Most people could tell you if they do believe in miracles very quickly. Yet, when looking at what each feels exemplifies what a miracle is, it is not so simple.

For many, miracle is a “miraculous” event that is often related to the hand of God or a greater power. Common examples are those of escaping death. For me, that is the quick definition – something (an event) that defies probability.

Along with defying death, it could be something like a roulette wheel hitting red 100 out of 100 times. It is possible but highly improbably. It would be a miracle!

Miracle often seems tied to a given event – like the example of defying death or even the birth of a baby. Yet, with the birth it is really nine months of miracle. It is a process of little miracles – little steps every day – that at the end produce a larger outcome.

I think of those who have survived horrific accidents and are told they would never walk again or speak again. Each day they make a little progress toward the end goal. Looking at the accomplishment isolated at one day would hardly seem a miracle. Taking one step or taking two steps may not itself seem significant. But, at the end, walking out of the hospital – it is a miracle.

Miracles like these are all around us every day. I am sure my 10th grade typing teacher would say it was a miracle that I can type more than 70 wpm considering I struggled reaching 40 wpm to pass the class!

“Miracles are events that make us feel there is more to life than what we see” is what what friend quoted. I think this is very true. Whenever I feel awe stuck, that is a miracle to me.

When I look at a sunset or rainbow, these are miracles of nature. When someone does a random act of kindness that changes someone’s life, this is a miracle of humanity. When something just works out for the best – this is a miracle of living!

Behold the Wonder -- Earth Day 2010

In working on my Earth Day 2010 Vision Board, I scrolled through images online. I saw many images of "the earth" as the great blue ball seen from space. I saw recycling and reuse images. All do represent Earth Day, but to me Earth Day is more. So I continued viewing images (free use images in Google and Microsoft Office are great sources) and selected the ones that reminded me of Earth Day and what it means the whole year.

When I had selected a folder full, I simply pull them up in a slideshow view and start to move and select, delete and re-arrange. I use a process very similar to one you would use if creating a vision board with "paper". I let the images resonate with me -- and open my mind to what they are expressing to me.

After collecting the images and moving them around a bit, I did find a theme with the images I was keeping -- Behold the Wonder.

The image that first stuck me was the world map with the eye. We must see the earth not just as the blue ball but as its delicate parts. From the tiny lady bug on a blade of grass to flowing waterfalls and sunflowers reaching to sun.

The earth itself is peaceful and reflective. It is content in the joy and beauty that abounds. As part of Earth Day we need to stop and appreciate all that the earth offers. We need to find contentment in the simple joys and beauty.

The future of the planet may be in our hands in some ways but it is also elusive and greater than us all.  I have posted a copy of my Earth Day Vision Board near my computer monitor. Each day as I view it, I will be reminded of the wonder in all things and see a planet full of life and beauty and peace for all generations.

The Vision Board -- Now Available in paperback

The Vision Board: The Secret to an Extraordinary Life is a unique “left-brain” approach to a “right-brain” activity. Author Joyce Schwarz captures not only the magic of visions boards with exquisite color photos but details the process of creating successful vision boards.

For those like myself who often approach tasks with the left-brain first, Joyce walks us through the process of visioning and visualization. She distinguishes between the two activities and offers practical explanations and examples. This is followed by simple and practical exercises on creating a personal vision statement. With this firm foundation and understanding, one can then proceed to create their vision and vision board.

Joyce offers an alternative to the all-encompassing life vision board to making vision boards for various areas of your life. She offers chapters on vision boards for relationships, gratitude, health and well-being. I found this approach to be less intimidating than creating one vision board that would cover all life areas.

Case studies, the stories and examples of various vision boards, really set this book apart from others I have read. Hearing about real life experiences and seeing others’ vision boards is truly inspiring. These make creating a vision board less intimidating. They show there is no right or wrong board.

This book can be read many times and each time you will find a new tidbit and piece of wisdom calling out to you. This is a definite addition for the “self-help” or “self-discovery” bookshelf.

Valentine's Day Vision Board

If you are one of the many of American’s facing tough economic times, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to go without a special date with your Valentine.

If a dozen roses or fancy dinner is not in the budget or if you are looking for something a little more personal, what about making a Valentine Vision Board together?

Set up your Valentine Date Night – hire a sitter for the kids or let grandparents spend the evening with them -- arrange for quiet time for the two of you. Collect up simple vision board supplies -- a stack of magazines – be sure they are a variety of subjects, your poster board, scissors and glue sticks. Add a little Valentine flare with light refreshments (wine and cheese or chocolates), soft music and flickering candles for ambiance.

Sit quietly with your partner and page through the magazines selecting images and words that reflect your life together and more importantly, your future together. Tear out the pages that strike your fancy and place them in a stack.

Once you have selected images, cut them out and begin to place them on your vision board. Work together and share what is special about the images. Watch for themes and secret dreams (visions) your partner or you may have that you were not even aware of.

If possible, include a picture of the two of you together as the centerpiece of the vision board. Choose a picture you both like and are having fun! (You may want to click a quick shot with your cell phone or camera as you are making the vision board and add it later.)

Marie Diamond, Feng Shui master featured in The Secret offered several romance vision board tips in the The Vision Board book by Joyce Schwarz. When creating your Valentine Vision Board consider the following:
• Use colors of love such as red and shades of pink
• Use hot images such as fireworks in the sky or a romantic fireplace
• Use images depicting pairs – such as a pair of candles

Be sure to include positive emotion images which reflect being in love and being a couple. Hugging, closeness and sharing are important to include.

In addition to the images, you can spice up your vision board by adding a red boarder, Valentine stickers, Valentine candy, and memorabilia such as a rose petal.

Don’t worry if your board is not completely filled. You can continue to add to it throughout the year.

When you are done for the evening, be sure to place your vision board in a place you can both see it and enjoy it. Over the headboard of your bed would be ideal!

Tips on Creating a Family Vision Board

A vision board can also be valuable as a family project. It can be especially useful in today's "blended" families. By working together and seeing both the family vision and individual visions, the board can assist in creating a more unified family unit. It can also help each member learn about the other members and be supportive in their dreams and visions.

To start the board, I would suggest that there be a center focus of family goals, projects or hobbies that the family shares as a whole in the center of the board. This may start out small or even several small pieces such as images that reflect happiness, togetherness, a vaction or overall harmony in a blended family.

Then, surrounding that each member should be allowed to include images of their vision as part of the family. They should each be encouraged to focus on what makes them special to the family and their unique contribution to the family. It is important that no one be judged for their vision but encouraged and supported.

Once the board is created it should be placed in a central local for everyone to see and enjoy. It would also be beneficial if each member had their own copy to carry with them or display. Many copy centers can make copies and reductions of large poster boards.

The family vision board should to be updated frequently. Children grow and change at a rapid pace. Keeping an updated board will strengthen a family unit. Children away for college or on their own should also be included. They still remain a vital part to a family.

Creating the family vision board can become a "game night" activity or part of a holiday tradition. Reflecting back on vision boards will also show great accomplishments for the family and its members. They will become part of family history.

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."

~Joyce Brothers

The Centerpiece of Your Vision Board

When setting a formal table, there is often a grand and elaborate centerpiece. When creating a vision board, there should also be a grand centerpiece. That centerpiece should be YOU!

Yes, it is recommended by many, including Joyce Schwarz best-selling author of "The Vision Board", to include a picture of yourself in the center of your vision board.

You should include the picture of yourself on your board to be a reminder that you are the co-creator of your life. YOU are center to the vision of your life. You are the “star” of the movie and the one who must take action in your life.

Yes, some would say that the Universe will manifest your vision board. However, if the Universe opens the door for your vision, you must be the one to walk through the open door.

When choosing the picture of yourself, make it a positive one. Choose a picture that you like and that reflects a happy time in your life.

For example, it can be a childhood image laughing and playing at the park or a birthday party surrounded by friends and family. These would be especially appropriate if they reflected items you were visioning for now -- peace, playfullness, freedom, family, love, etc.

Another approach that is very common is to take a new picture -- one that reflects what you want in the future. It is a common story of people who go to a car dealership and have a picture taken in their "dream car."

With technology, you can also "photo shop" a picture of yourself standing in front of your dream home or on your dream vacation.

However you choose, it is important to picture yourself in your vision. Without you....it is not your vision.