Photo by Walt Stoneburner on Flickr
“Art, to be art, must point at something.” – Anne Lammot
Having a vision helps point our lives in the right direction. It helps us know what choices to make, what relationships to build, what activities to be a part of. With vision we have purpose.
Without vision, we don’t know where we’re headed. We don’t know which choice to choose, what relationships to pursue, or how best to spend our time. Without vision we easily lose our purpose.
Vision gives direction
Vision is a compass. It points us in the right direction. Instead of just wandering from one project to another, from one job to another, from one relationship to another, from one location to another, we move with purpose. We build on what we’ve already done. We make decisions that take us in the direction of our vision.
Vision provides expression
Having a vision results in us better expressing who we are. Our words, our actions, our demeanor point towards our vision.
Vision gives intent
Having a vision helps us live our days with intent. It’s more than just about getting up to go to work. It’s about getting up to carry out my purpose, to reach towards my vision.
Vision gives inspiration
If we ignore vision, we live short-sighted. If we live short-sighted, only what’s in front of us becomes important and we miss out on the bigger picture. Vision gives us the why behind the how. It lets us see the forest instead of just the tree. The moment we leave vision out of the equation, life becomes mundane.
Vision provides insight
There is a picture of a blind man praying to God. He’s still, leaning against a wall, his face lifted upwards, one hand holding his blind stick, the other lifted towards heaven. Others around him, all-seeing, are in a blur as they move quickly to their next activity, their next appt, their next commitment. Who really sees more? The blind man, or the busy folks around him? Vision gives us the internal sight we need to stay on course.
Vision provides alignment
Vision aligns our actions, our words, and our thoughts with our dreams and our hopes. If what I do today does not align with my dreams, I become frustrated. Living with vision isn’t easy. In fact, living with vision can be very messy. We need to give ourselves permission to struggle, to be frustrated. Often times it is in the frustration and the struggle that we better understand our vision. Then we can make the necessary re-alignments to either get back on track or to shift our vision to better align with who we are.
What is your vision? How has having a vision or not having a vision affected your life?
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