Vision-Tips and Tools for a better TODAY!

"Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference." ~Joel Barker

Anyone who knows me has probably heard me raving over Vision boards. I truly believe that when we reveal our dreams in a concrete and tangible form, we can sit back and watch them manifest in our life!

I must admit, after I first read, watched, and listened to "The Secret" I procrastinated on making my vision board. I figured, "I already know what I want and I frequently write down goals, what difference does a poster board make?" Then I became aware of reticular formation.

About a year ago, I was looking for a new SUV to comfortably fit my growing family. I wanted something large yet feminine and something I wouldnt see all over Atlanta such as a Tahoe, Yukon, Explorer, etc. I decided on a Black Infiniti QX56. Wouldn't you know that prior to purchasing, I never saw those trucks anywhere. After I bought one, it seemed like not only did the whole world drive an Infiniti QX56 but a black one at that!!!

Reticular formation is the part of your brainstem that brings into your awareness things that are important to you. It is the explanation for why we notice things that were there all along. We notice these things more often once they have significance to us and we consciously bring them into our awareness.

By making a vision board, we are looking and meditating on words, pictures, activities and symbols which then enact the reticular formation in our brain. Consciously thinking about these things with a positive mind state helps bring them into our reality.

I recommend using a poster board or a cork board. Gather all the magazines, newspapers and pictures you can find.

-Think about the theme for your life: New career? Healthier Relationships? Fit physique?

Find pictures that would support this new lifestyle. What would you wear? Where would you live? What kind of car would you drive? Who would you meet? What awards would you win? How would your family react? LIVE THE DREAM

-Positive phrases- I am motivated by positive quotes and affirmations. I cut out sayings from magazines that reflected my idealogies of success

-Write yourself a check- Then believe that it is on its way! I always tell myself "Money comes easily and frequently" Instead of saying "I can't afford that", I ask myself "How can I afford that?"

-Hang it somewhere where you will see it each and every day-My vision board hangs right beside my bed. It is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see before I go to bed. I often find myself staring at it and daydreaming about the life I will live. It is hard to be lazy when there is a G-5 and a gorgeous beachouse staring at you as if to say "What are you doing? We are waiting on you!"

On a side note..I would like to say that when I decided to make my vision board I was emotionally going through a very trying time in my marriage. We tried various counselors, books, seminars and it still seemed like nothing was helping to ease the pain we were causing each other. On my vision board I decided to put pictures of us during our happiest times together. I also put positive phrases such as "Greatest Couple" "Couple shares advice on how they keep their relationship stronger than ever", etc. All I know is that what seemed hopeless was transformed into everything I ever wanted. I thank the vision board and the prayers that I would say while staring longingly into those images.

Since making my vision board I have also manifested unexpected checks, free trips, better paying opportunities and worked with people related to acting that I placed on my board. The whole right side of my board has been accomplished in only 4 mos.

I have truly watched the miracles that this practice has worked in my life and I encourage you to make yours NOW!!!

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Hold on to your horses!

Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high, look it quarely in the eye and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.' -Ann Landers

Sometimes in life we spend too much time being hard on ourselves and throwing a pity party for the lot in life we were given.

I did not have the advantage of growing up in a two parent household and I was DEFINITELY not a trust fund baby. No one has ever given me a thing and I have had to work 10 x's harder for everything I have because I am young, black, a women and from the age of 17 I have been a mother. Sometimes, I felt sad when I compared my life to others that seemingly had things easier than I did. Now as I grow older and wiser, I am thankful for the work ethic that my hard knock life instilled in me. I have a great appreciation for the gifts that I am bestowed and I have incredible self esteem knowing that I can truly accomplish anything. I do not spend alot of time worrying about losing it all and living in poverty because I already know what that feels like. Instead I focus on creating wealth and a legacy for my children. The following passage reinstilled what I have learned in the past few years post college. I may have actually had an unfair advantage being exposed to such hardship and strife at an early age. It is because of these experiences that I have sought the path of enlightenment and am able to appeal to people of all walks of life. I have been there and have an understanding of life that you cant read about or pay money to experience.

My advice to you is to look forward to the trials and tribulations that will inevitably permeate your existence. Obstacles are put in our path to give us a chance to overcome them. We must overcome just as Jesus overcame before us.

John 16:33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Revelation 3:21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

I borrowed the following anecdote from the brilliant author Ichi Lee, author of Brain Waves. I found the message behind it very powerful.

There is an old Buddhist parable that describes four kinds of horses. The first kind is very easy to train, reacting to the master's whip before it has even touched the animal. The second kind reacts as soon as the whip touches the hair. The third horse must feel it in the muscles before reacting. The fourth kind must feel the pain of the whip to the bone before conforming to the master's will.

Which kind of horse do you think is best? Most people assume that the first kind of horse is best. It is certainly the least problematic and the one that requires the least attention. The fourth one, by comparison, seems like too much trouble. Yet, in the end, all of the horses end up in the same place. There is no reason to think that a horse that has taken longer to train will be any less serviceable. In fact, the biggest, strongest stallions are usually the most difficult animals, at least in the beginning.

You might ask yourself which horse you are most like. Maybe you are like that willful, stubborn horse, learning life's lessons slowly and only through great suffering. You should not beat up on yourself about that, however. In the end, you will end up in the same place as the quick horses around you. In fact, your understanding of life may be even deeper than those to whom understanding comes quickly. For them, the real meaning of life may remain a mere shadow. The fourth horse, on the other hand, understands the whip as the first horse never will. Because you have experienced the sting of life's lessons right down to the bone, you can truly understand the meaning of your life. It is in that way that the worst have the chance to be better than the best.

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