"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt
I was in The Hive (aka my workshop) where all the Wood + Honey magic happens this past weekend, stirring a pot of beeswax on the stove and checking the temperature before I got to pouring a hell of a lot of candles. I'm trying to stock inventory as best I can right now for a crazy spring festival season and 3 weekends in a row of insane event goodness.
While I was standing there, I caught a glimpse of my vision board that has hung on the wall behind my stove. It's been there from essentially day one of acquiring this new shop. I stared at it for a moment and began to sink down right where I stood. I was in awww of it. Seeing it made me smile ear to ear and all the way on down to my toes. A complete sense of calm and peace came over me. In that moment, in my sweet little shop, I realized that so much of "my vision" has transpired and come to pass, and that all is well in life.
A "new" vision in 2024 ~
In 2024. I started working on this "new" vision for myself on New Years eve. I'm always working to shift and grow, but it was time to put it down on paper so to speak - or in this case...a board.
I didn't have my kids that year for the holiday and I was currently living with my parents at the time - yes, at almost 43 years old, with 3 children, I made the choice to move back home to my childhood bedroom, with my kids in the rooms next door, to reboot, regroup and heal from a relationship lost. It was one of the most humbling yet gratifying decisions I have made. My kids and I felt whole again, became a team again, healed, and we have been thriving ever since.
I am grateful every damn day for my parents' willingness to take the 4 of us in during the Fall of 2023 - I had no place to go, and without hesitation they welcomed us to their home. It wasn't always easy, but life was simple and peaceful and nurtured - but more on that life turning point, another time.
Anyways, for the 2024 New Years that came around while living at my parents, I decided that me and my girl Bea (my dog) would pack the car, rent an AirBnB and get lost in the woods to ring in the new year alone. Bea and I hiked a chunk of the Appalachian trail for the majority of daylight, grabbed a burger and a beer at some local dive restaurant in West Virginia and then headed back to our rental - which was owned by this awesome woman that collects and sells vinyl records at trade shows with her daughter - definitely a woman after my own heart.
To this day, it was one of the best New Years I have ever had - no drama, no fuss, just Bea, a bottle of bourbon, sweatpants, and a crap ton of old magazines piled on the bed - it was time to get to cutting.
I had made a vision board a long long time ago, and when I moved out of the house that my ex-husband and I shared, I kept it as-is for a while, so much of it had come true. I had built a farm table, led a yoga retreat to Italy, big ole garden, etc. etc. It wasn't until I moved out of my latest dwelling and into my parents house, that I finally decided to strip the old bulletin board - it was time for a clean slate so to speak. A re-imagined and revised vision for the future and what I wanted to cultivate next in this life.
I sat on my bed in the AirBnB, sipping whiskey and cutting away - words, pictures, quotes, whatever caught my eye and felt good, I cut it out. I must have chopped up about 6 magazines and then started to read a book I thoroughly recommend called The Universe Has Your Back, by Gabrielle Bernstein. I had begun the process of laying out a visual to a "new" life that I wanted for myself and the next chapter for the kiddos and I. Where I wanted to be, what I was seeking, goals, "to-do's". What's interesting, is that so much of what I cut out were words and phrases. I knew what I wanted, I could articulate it, but I couldn't quite find the pictures to support it all... not yet at least.
So what is a vision board anyways? ~
Let's back up for a second, just in case this is a new concept to you and you're wondering what a vision board is and what the hell am I talking about. A vision board is just as it sounds, a board (ie: poster paper, wall, cork board, whatever) where you place words and pictures that support your vision for the future. Think of all the dreams, goals, hope, aspirations, prayers, desires that you want in your life. Everything from love and relationships, to a new car, a new house, more money, dream vacation, ANYTHING your big heart desires.
Find magazines cut outs and words, pictures, items, maps, photos, etc. that support your vision and simply cut and paste them on your board. There is no right or wrong. It's simply putting a visual to your thoughts, dreams and wants.
It's a complete throw back to your 3rd grade art class which is so fucking cool. I mean how often do we as adults get to do arts and crafts just for the hell of it?!
My vision board explained ~
My vision board is always being added to, but I never remove anything, even once it's been accomplished or come to fruition. The only time I've removed and started fresh, was as previously mentioned, when I moved out and onward after divorce - I felt like that warranted a clean slate.
I think it's important to see what you've dreamed of and asked for. It serves as a reminder that what you put out into the Universe can very much be yours. Your wants and desires are warranted and more importantly deserved. Having this visual is a reminder on days when life is challenging and you are doubting. It's easy to remember and focus on what's gone wrong or didn't work out. Yet we must remain focused on what has gone right in life. Don't forget how far you've come. And maybe just maybe, things went wrong because it simply wasn't meant to be. It is most important when life throws the curve-balls to remember how much you actually have scored.
This past weekend like I said, is when I saw my vision board and revisited it so to speak. It dawned on me, roughly 1 year later, how much had come to be. The wants that I had put a "visual" to when I was in West Virginia celebrating New Years alone in the woods had become ours.
All I craved a year ago was a home for me and my kids to rebuild, recover and grow in. I wanted Love and Abundance in all the ways (as I discussed in a previous blog) There are so many words on this board that describe my present life now, just a year later - it's sort of mind-blowing really. Pictures, words, phrases, a sprig from a Money Tree that I accidentally knocked off at my parents house and an ornament that said "Stay Wild." Even a note that came with the gift of acorns that my dear friend Garrett gave me - (another previous blog) reminding me and the kids, that growth starts from the smallest seeds.
Words such as:
Cozy Nest - Worth The Wait - Modern Meets Country - Homegrown - Money - Security - Magic
Less than 5 months later after this board was made I was gifted our incredible farm house that I actually lost the first time around, but it came back to us ...it was truly meant to be ours and it is 1000% a gift from the Universe. Our home is all the words mentioned above. The most beautiful combination of Modern meets Country in style, design and features, it's the perfect Cozy Nest for my little's and I to have our fresh start. I was able to get into it because I got Money from my divorce settlement. I've got space cleared in the yard and am ready this year for our Homegrown Harvest. Even will be moving my bees from my ex husbands house this year. Security - let's just say I got it covered. There are so many words that sum up all I've ever wanted - and so far I've received them all.
Most importantly and above all, my children and I received what I can only deem as Magic. In every sense of the word, that house exudes Magic for us. It brings peace, nourishment, safety, calm, and quiet. It's a place for us to grow, be silly, have dance parties and be ourselves. My kids are close to their friends again (I call them my "bonus babies") and able to have these friends and boyfriends over whenever the hell they want - the house is alive with joy.
It is nothing short of ... Magic.
So Why not? ~
As silly as it may sound, to sit as a grown adult making a collage that one could find their children doing for a school art project - and YES, this makes a great family exercise and past time to do together and I've definitely done this with my kiddos when they were younger. But, why not? Why not put an actual visual, to all that you are craving and desiring in life? Something that you can pass by everyday and remind yourself where you're heading and what you've already accomplished.
There is a line I wrote down and pinned on my vision board that I refer to often from the book The Universe Has Your Back, that I mentioned I read on that New Years in West Virginia. It says:
"Energy flows where attention goes" Gabrielle Bernstein
It's my reminder everyday - just like this board is. Set your intentions and stay the course. Do your best every damn day, and don't be discouraged by the bumps in the road and the twists and turns. I've always said, the bumps, twists and turns are like the scenic route in life - waaaay more exciting than the straight direct route any day. Take it all in. It will eventually pass and you're still on track to your destination - it just may take a little longer and there's nothing wrong with that. Direct your attention to where you see yourself and what you crave - trust the process and I promise, you'll get there.
I hope you give this a try. Why not? Put it out there, even if it's a few words or pics on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror. Remind yourself everyday of your Why, your desires, and where you see yourself in the future. Never apologize either for dreaming BIG!
Most importantly, never ever forget how much you've grown and how far you've come. There was a time, when you never thought you'd get to where you are now - but look at you go! It's pretty damn awesome right? Keep going and keep asking for all your BIG heart desires!!
xo,
B
I'd love to hear about and see your vision boards if you've made them. Tell me about them, what has transpired and what hasn't. I love hearing about these sorts of things - it's fascinating to me.
Also, I'm working on a yoga and vision board making workshop, maybe we'll even make a candle as well. Sort of a half a day retreat and lunch type of deal. I'll be sure to keep you posted here.