New Year, New Vision.
Welcome to 2022. Something I’ve continued to contemplate is the phrase “Happy New Year.” What if we said, “Cheers to a Meaningful Year”–authentic, fulfilling, healing, or whatever word/phrase feels fitting for you.
What if we toasted to a joyous, healthy new year? Joy in creating. Joy in perspective. Joy in speaking, writing, and living our truths. Healing hearts, spirits, and relationships.
I started vision boarding (is that even a verb?) on a whim in 2019. The crumpled pages above are a smattering of last year’s collage. Some readers have asked me how to “do” a vision board. My answer? There’s no right way. And this question got me thinking about letting go–both on and off the board. Hard as heck. I’ve gotten better but it’s a process. At least for me! Can anyone else relate?
So I lit my favorite lavender candle and scattered the snippets across the floor. I’d collected these pictures from magazines during December. They stayed tucked in a folder until this week. I opened my office window and heard the palm fronds rustle. Tearing. Cutting. Shredding. Creating. Clearing space by disassembling and learning from last year’s lessons. Closing my eyes, I burned sage and stated my intentions.
Then I let go. Fully. I watched the imperfect cutouts of phrases such as, “I want people to learn from my journey” and “Stir souls and ignite imagination” float to the wood-framed cork. Purple jumbo pushpins interspersed with mini clothespins and brass hearts. I didn’t think my 2022 board would include words like “immune” and a few under-the-covid-influence inspired images. Yet it does.
Last year I’d cut pictures carefully rather than ripped passionately. I created quadrants of “themes.” It aesthetically made my artistic (and perfectionistic) spirit sing! But this time, I challenged myself to let my intuition and hands guide me rather than my head.
My 2022 vision board is filled with empowering, inspiring phrases. Images of writing, nature, nourishment, and how I envision the next twelve months cover the camel-colored cork. Interestingly, as I look at it while writing, topics have emerged. Some people choose a word for the year. While I love that in theory, there’s no chance I could, nor do I want to, limit myself to one word.
After blowing out the candle, I stepped back and took a few deep breaths. Faint smoke swirled above the layered, free-form picture board. A palate blended with hues of writing, family, publishing, gratitude, health, joy, and more.
These are words. Yes. But for me, they are also intentions. I repositioned the board, raised it higher, and welcomed all of what’s ahead. The bumps we may encounter are pockets of turbulence. I can get sucked into the fear. Or, rise above it. I’m choosing the latter. And I hope you’ll join me!
Cheers to continued, deeper connections. Isn’t that what life is all about?