VISION STEW by Carolyn S. Campbell
I love these last few weeks of December. With the New Year on its way, I start asking myself—what would I like to create in the year ahead? How do I want to make a difference in 2009?
Surrounded by the chill of winter, cloaked in the cave of darkness, this yearly sojourn of personal intention is a special time for me. Over the last few weeks I have been mulling, sorting and brewing. I’ve been sifting through my wants, don’t wants, dreams, desires, successes and failures, inviting next year’s vision to emerge.
I think we often believe that our vision should pop up right in front of us, saying, “Here I am—let’s go!” Yes, that happens at times. More often, though, yearnings have an amorphous, intangible quality. In this instant soup culture, we either think there is something wrong with us if we don’t see it right away or we toss it aside, hoping it will magically appear on another day.
My invitation: cook your vision like a good stew. It takes time for all the spices and juices to blend, seep and simmer. There truly is no formula—we each have our own way of creating a vision.
Perhaps this structure might help you begin your own ritual of creation. It is not always an ‘easy’ process. In fact, sometimes it can be quite painful, especially when I try to judge or censor my thoughts. They always find a way to fight back. A quick thought as you begin: a vision is very different than a goal. At this stage I don’t even think about goals. I want to create a picture of what I want to honor. My goals are simply steps for me to achieve my fuller purpose as presented in my vision.
So, here’s the Carolyn version of brewing a yearly stew for the next 12 months. Get ready; it takes time and candid honesty.
Once I ask the questions, “What would I like to create in the year ahead? How do I want to make a difference in 2009?,” I find myself walking a lot, especially at night. If not at night, then by the river, in the woods, over bridges—places where I can wander mindlessly. When I allow my body and my thoughts to find their own rhythm, unexpected glimpses of vision emerge without effort. Some people start to dance, others draw. Ask your body what it wants to do.
At some point I start cleaning or painting. My body suddenly wants to shape things, cook things, clean things. This is my cue. It’s time to start my stew. If I stay in the cleaning mode too long it is a sign to me that I am avoiding sitting down to clear out the cobwebs of my mind and write my vision.
I begin by journaling, just letting thoughts spread out on the page. They roam into the corners and along the edges, sometimes with pictures, scribbles and doodles. I love watching TV as I do this stage. Things flow easily—perhaps it is a great distraction for my inner critic.
Then, I get down to sorting. The computer is perfect for this stage because of the way it allows me to cut and paste, sort and cull.
I begin with four words in bold font: Vision–Challenges–Strengths/Values–Opportunities. Then I traverse the page, moving from one category to another, randomly filling things in. It is NOT a linear process.
At the top of the page I write the questions:
What would I like to create in the year ahead?
How do I want to make a difference in 2009?
Vision: I write everything that comes to my mind. I mean EVERYTHING. I include classes I imagine teaching, groups I’d love to lead, people I’d love to visit, income I’d love to make, articles I’d love to write, money I’d love to save. If a person comes to mind, I write them down. I write it all down—no censoring. The list can get very long. The key is that if a camera can’t see it, it doesn’t go on the list. They are specific, tangible, seeable things.
Challenges: I write down my personal challenges. This candid, honest inventory is NOT a critic list but a factual account of my challenges.
For me, these include: my need for lots of solitude (my introvert’s edge); my mood swings; my aversion to large groups or parties; and fulfilling my commitment to walking my dog twice a day. Challenges are what need to be considered as I compare my ‘dreams’ with the realities of my life.
Sometimes, as I write down my challenges, I will add another idea for my vision, and quite often I may subtract an idea. Don’t get caught here; keep moving.
Strengths/Values: Again, these are my personal strengths of creating, connecting and sharing. I include my beliefs about what is essential to the ‘joy’ of my being. This space is dedicated to really honoring the things I do well, big and small, personally and professionally.
One of my greatest strengths is that I love watching, looking and listening. By doing so, I am great at seeing what people want and who is interested in partnering with me. I just love asking questions. I love to write about everyday people doing meaningful ‘work’ of creative acts of purpose.
We tend to want to skip this section, but it is essential. This is your unique gift of how you interact in the world. Own it. By coupling this with your challenges, you get to create a clear picture of how you best connect, create and shape.
Each of these three stages will inspire the other.
Opportunities: The opportunities are always there, waiting for you. The question is whether or not you see them. So, dare to imagine them. These can be opportunities that already exist, or those yet to be created.
As you can see, this begins to cycle back to the vision. While the vision might be a vague sense of what you’d like to do, the opportunities are with whom.
Last year, I said I wanted the opportunity to work with non-profits and direct more theater. I didn’t know who or how. But I knew what I wanted, and without thinking, I started noticing people who had a similar desire. My introvert was respected by not having to network. My curiosity connected me with really great people. My vision honored all of me.
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Next, let it brew. Each day, go back and add, delete or reframe—let it find its form.
Don’t worry about setting goals, dates or deadlines. Just let the vision emerge.
If you want to, put it under your pillow and sleep on it. Put a copy in your jacket as you take a walk. Or just let it sit for a few days. And don’t be surprised by the emotions you might feel. This is when it is really helpful to have people who will listen without judgment and ask you, “What do you really want that you might be afraid to ask for or truly allow?” Consider adding these to the list.
As you step back and review, ask, “What is really important to me? What is worth the effort, considering my challenges? What is exciting and doable with my strengths? How can my strengths guide me through my challenges?”
Always be ready to ask: “What do I really want—and am I willing to take the leap?!”
Happy brewing!