Today I woke up and got to work as usual. I went to the barn, took careful care of each of the herd members, got my kids off to their commitments, and returned home. I sat down to write in Fancy’s training log. The day prior was packed full and I needed to jot down how her visit went from the day before I forgot it all.
I grabbed the binder with her training notes, and before I opened it paused to look at the cover. You see, I made myself a vision board well over two years ago and slapped it in a binder half heartedly. I stuck it in the binder that I’m sure I lost for 6 months, and it was filled with random articles, notes, and things that I didn’t have time to read. I looked carefully at the cover this morning and was a bit taken back. The words, the images, the feeling I got when I looked at it. I had no idea two years ago how much they spoke to my heart. I was too busy, too preoccupied, and too stressed out with all of the things on my plate to actually live my dreams anyway, so the vision board was the best I was going to do.
I was shocked as I studied my board, because today, I could create a vision board using MY OWN images of the things I have spent the last several months doing! Somehow, someway over the past two years I have manifested something that my heart had been dreaming of for so long. It’s happening! My vision board is my real life, all the things on the list, I did them, I’m doing them! It’s happening now!
I took a moment to stop and think back. The past two years have been busy, busier than ever. Our family is running like always from thing to thing, making the days count, and hitting the sheets exhausted every day. For a decade I have worked full time, kept the animals and the farm, been a hands-on mom, daughter, sister, employee, volunteer, and friend. But I also dedicated a tiny bit of myself to pursuing the things that set MY soul on fire. Whatever time life would allow in the season we were in. Over the last two years I have pushed a little harder, focused a little more on the crazy dreams that were unique to me. Usually in the early hours of the morning, sitting in the car at sports practices, or on the weekends in between events. These things are not for everyone. They are wildly specific to my soul. Horses, kids, therapy work, literacy, equine connection, art, books, bringing joy and smiles to the world.
I just realized that my week was filled with things that two years ago I was only dreaming of doing. A photoshoot with my dear Toby of 24 years, lending my ponies for a photoshoot for a little girl who dreamed of meeting a unicorn, a book signing featuring MY children’s book as my therapy pony greeted guests, preparing for library and school visits. I chatted with young equestrians and saw their passion and joy as they spoke about their riding experiences. I was humbled as I was thanked by parents and grandparents for writing a book about horses that is being added to the home libraries of kids that they love dearly! Hours in the barn filled with cleaning horses, preparing, and ironing out details to make it all work. I’m left with a heart full memories from this week. I saw so many kids smile, I shared the book that I created with people of all ages, and celebrated with the illustrator whos passion burns as bright as mine for our equine friends.
I simply cannot believe that my visions are somehow now my reality!
I didn’t have time. I didn’t have the energy. I didn’t know how to make any of it happen. I lacked focus with my busy schedule. Things went wrong. There was struggle. There was disappointment. There was heartbreak. Sometimes I was overwhelmed. I felt like a mess. Once in a while I wondered what was I doing? But here I am. I did all the things!
“Dreams don’t work unless you do”. I wholeheartedly believe that that is true. I also believe that God doesn’t make mistakes. Everything that has happened over the last two years and every year before that was not good, created something in me that I needed. Opened a door to something that was meant to be and reminded me to continue my pursuit.
So the moral of the story is MAKE A VISION BOARD! DO IT TODAY! They aren’t magic. You won’t wake up the next day and have all of the things on your board. But, you never know what day you will need a reminder of why you wake up and do what you do every day. Remind yourself WHAT sets your soul on fire, even though you may be too busy to pay any attention to it in the moment. We all need a reminder of what makes us unique and special and why those are no mistake. No two vision boards would ever look the same. That is no accident.
Today I’m thankful for the team of people around me who believe in me and my crazy ideas. They always support me and inspire me. I’m thankful for the winding journey that has been filled with the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.
I’m thankful for the struggle, and now the joy that fills my heart, as I realize that I AM MY VISION BOARD!
