Life is uncertain, unpredictable, and lately, just plain bizarre. Is it possible to find certainty in an uncertain world? Let me answer the question later in this article. Certainty can mean “a conclusion or outcome that is beyond doubt.” My experience has been that when we formulate visions in our minds we most times birth images and ideas of hope.
Is it contradictory to think that certainty can be found in the middle of uncertain times and social environments? Well, it depends on where you are looking for the indicators of certainty. Finding certainty in the midst of turbulent times is possible when one looks for it within, rather than without. My opinion is that this process begins calibrating your vision for the future. What is your compelling vision for your future? How would you like to see your future unfold?
What is a vision and why can it help bring some rest in the middle of unstable times? Vision actually means an image or concept in the imagination. In the science called parapsychology a vision is an image or series of images seen in a dream or trance, often interpreted as having religious, revelatory, or prophetic significance. When we take the purely positive viewpoint a vision is a beautiful or pleasing sight that we have constructed in our mind. Vision can further mean an idea, a mental picture or a vivid disclosure. The mind can achieve marvelous things, one of which is imagining a preferred future that consists of your most noble passions, dreams,
aspirations and images.
Try this. Imagine the happiest place, a time in personal history and the most peaceful scenario you can. It may be helpful to silence your mind, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Visualize a place, time and scene that make you feel peaceful, joyful and fulfilled. Write this visualization on a piece of paper nearby. This short description will serve later as a project for you in your mental health development.
Vision brings hope many times. How do I know this? Well, personally, each time a vision is forming in my mind, expectancy is emerging, as well. Vision and hope are word companions and work together to help us in overcoming certain negative thoughts and discouraging images in our minds. Look at some of the definitions of vision and hope:
Vision - Hope
A dream - Expect
An idea - Trust
A mental picture - Anticipate
An image - Wish
Visualization - Expectation
A revelation - Anticipation
To have a vision that brings about hope is not a magic formula. But much like optimism, vision and hope improve our mental health and our disposition. For instance, during the economic crisis of late, an idea came to my mind that probably would not have come under my normal work pace and multi-tasking lifestyle. Because there was a little free time and a little less action in my schedule, a great vision came to me, which formed into a great idea which caused me to anticipate how that could grow into implementation steps. This vision, then idea, brought me hope. Hopefulness makes a dreary day into a brighter day! Confidence and anticipation follow
closely behind vision and hope.
Hope is a powerful word and a more powerful thought. Nations and cultures with no hope have greater crime rates, lower economies and measurable unrest and underachievement. Conversely, nations and people with hope seem to overcome crisis after crisis, and change after change. Challenges seem to become incentives for accomplishment when people have hope. Hope never prospers when things are going well. It takes challenge, change and crisis for hope to flourish.
Vision and hope are actionable thoughts that need our attention to become energized. As a coach, I suggest that an on-going action plan helps you to clarify your visions and your hopes. These should be clear, achievable and time bound. Having visions and hopes to work towards brings the energy necessary to overcome the doldrums and the tendency to slide backwards in our development.
This week, attempt to write your vision and hope ideas in a journal or personal development plan. If you do not have a personal vision statement, then maybe start there. Include your long term, intermediate and short term goals that will get you to your vision. If you are not sure how to begin this, enlist an accountability partner or hire a coach.
This is a major excerpt from Dr. Rick Forbus's (Principle at TROVE) article on Vision & Hope.
My thoughts are if you have a vision you do not need a coach to execute it.
