There are two things that I do in celebration of my birthday each year:
1. I write a birthday list.
2. I put together a vision board (or two).
And while it might sound silly, those two things? Totally change the trajectory of my year.
A lot of times, we spend our time in our left brain- making comprehensive plans to achieve our goals. The birthday list is like that a little bit– it basically gives every year a bucket list. And because of it, I have learned how to surf, seen whales in their natural environment, raised more than $10,000 for cancer research, gotten re-certified in CPR (yes, practical things make the list, too, not just lofty or fun things). That birthday list adds pizzazz and intention to my year. I’ve been doing it now for 15 years and I can’t imagine a year without it.
But the vision board is all about my right brain. It’s about using a creative tool to give voice to my visions. As I cut out words and images that resonate with me, as I think very deliberately about what I want in the next year both professionally and personally, as I start giving that vision a face on the front of my foam board, something takes root inside me. I make a visual statement of what kind of life speaks to me and then I get to go about the business of making it happen.
As often as possible, I try not to “work” on my birthday– you know, write articles, grade papers, lesson plan. Ideally, this Monday, I will spend the morning while Happy is at preschool cutting images out for my vision board and then crafting my board. Already, I have been writing my birthday list. Sometimes, my birthday list and vision board share themes. Sometimes they don’t. But always, always, they provide me with vision. When I am done with that vision board, I will place it just above my desk so that when I stare into space, the space I am really staring into is my dreams.
And because it is always fun to celebrate with others, I am offering a special to you for visionSPARK. And for those of you who are a distance away, you can participate, too, as visionSPARK is going virtual in 2014.
visionSPARK:: because intention matters
Every new year begins with our vision for it. But dreaming about it isn’t enough. Vision has to be captured, inspiration alighted, and intention set. At visionSPARK, you’ll capture your ideal life’s vision not just in conversation and words but in a tangible, inspirational vision board. You’ll imagine the possibilities in a pre-workshop workbook, gather inspiration, and then create your vision with thoughtful support during the workshop. You’ll leave with an inspirational board to display, a touchstone word to root you and reinforce your commitment during the year, a gentle call to action to guide you and the motivation to manifest the life you imagine.
In person:
January 2 from 6 pm – 9:30 pm, January 3 from 9 am – 12:30 pm, or January 4 from 9 am – 12:30 pm Triple Play Farm in Davidson, North Carolina $50
Virtual:
January 9 from 12 to 2 pm EST ON YOUR PHONE $40
Birthday Special: Enter the word HAPPY as a discount code when registering by 11:59 PM on November 18 and receive the in person workshop for $40 and the virtual one for $35.
Can’t wait to spark our years together!
