The other day I came across an old journal and was reminded how powerful visualization can be. In the diary, which was from 1999, he had jotted down images of different things he wanted and dreamed of. Like the view from my dream house: rolling hills with olive trees and the sea far below. I had written: I need an open view, a sky wide open. And what did I get? Yes, exactly that!
The image of the view I had jotted down in my notebook is so similar to what I see every day that it’s almost scary. But that was not the only wish that had materialized: I got the car, the clothes and even the shoes that I dreamed of back then.
To live your fabulous life it has a lot to do with visualizing your dreams. Those of you who have seen The Secret will remember how one of the participants took out his old vision board – a piece of cardboard where he wrote down images of what he wanted – and discovered that he had bought and lived in the same house that he had. He put a picture from years before on the board of him. The other day I got the newsletter from Norman Hallett of the Think and Grow Rich blog, who talked about his wife Trisha and the picture she had on her vision board of his dream garden, and what it actually looks like. A striking resemblance.
Some people have a great ability to visualize. They create a clear and exact image in your mind. Whether it’s creating a garden out of a field or converting an old basement into a sauna and shower room, you don’t need plans or schematics, but you can go ahead and just do it. Well, I better add: first of all, you can see, visualize, that it can actually be done. They are often creative people who, in addition to having the ability to visualize how the earth can turn to gold, also easily visualize themselves achieving new goals, whether it be establishing a happy relationship, writing a book, or driving across the United States. United by Route 66. They don’t need images to help them move towards their life goals.
But you and I can do it. You can find images in magazines and newspapers, but remember that you can also search the Internet for example Yahoo images and download the image to your own computer by right clicking on it. You can then print it or save it to a special viewing folder on your computer. If you know how to use Photoshop or another image editing program, you can also manipulate images. Have you found the house of your dreams, but you don’t like the color? paint it! Not satisfied with the garden? Add an old apple tree and some wonderful flowers.
Whether you’re in or out of a relationship, you may want to add an image of a happy couple. Or you and the man of your life at your happiest moment. Do you want to travel more with your husband? Get a picture of a man and a woman packing a suitcase together. Add some photos of the hotels you’d love to stay in, the French cafe where you’ll have breakfast, or that museum you’ve always dreamed of visiting.
There may be charities you’d like to work for or a good cause you’d like to get more involved with, whether it’s fighting breast cancer or fighting pollution. Add an image of that pink bow and a healthy green forest, whatever it symbolizes.
And don’t forget the words! There may be a short phrase that appeals to you, such as “happiness of living’ Prayed “The good life”. Or it can be a poem that gives you a certain feeling of happiness or the lyrics of a song. Anything that helps you visualize, create, an image in your head or a feeling in your heart of something you want.
Don’t forget the photos of inspiring people! Many of us have problems that prevent us from achieving our dreams. You might want to take a sabbatical to sail around the world, but think that a person “like you” can’t do such a thing. Get a photo, or several, of people “just like you” who did just that. I know you will find someone! Or you are 40 years old and want to go back to school, feeling too old. Well, you’re not the first to get an education at that age, so find a picture of a man or woman who fulfilled that dream, and it reminds you that you can too. One of my favorite clippings is a magazine interview with a British woman who moved to Egypt to become a professional belly dancer. I have no dreams of becoming a belly dancer or moving to Egypt, but I find the story incredibly inspiring. Show that you can do anything. And then I want to say anything.
Now what to do with all those images? Up to you. You may want to make a vision board, as mentioned above. Whether it is to hang on the wall or fold and store somewhere, you can easily take it out, look at it, daydream and add new images. Or maybe you prefer a scrapbook or photo album. You may want to divide the images into several groups: work and career, love and family, hobbies, travel, and free time. You may want to scan everything and work with it on your computer. The main thing is that you can easily access the book, board or display file and spend some time with it.
Finally, some dreams expire. you change and live your fabulous life It does not mean wanting things in life as before. And that’s fine! Find a more accurate image and place it on top of the previous one. And keep visualizing it coming towards you!
Copyright Tove Cecilie Fasting
