“My future is determined by my Vision.”

Where there is no vision, the people perish… Proverbs 29:18

The Israelites had no positive vision for their lives – no dreams. They knew where they came from, but they did not know where they were going. Everything was based on what they had seen and could see. They did not know how to see with “the eye of faith” They had no vision.

I am reading “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Myer. Actually, have just finished the book and felt her insights were inspiring and right-on the money much of the time. So I recommend it if you are looking for some inspiration for building a better life.

Health is a Mind Thing -

As I said in one of my first postings on this blog site, I believe that my quest for a healthy body is a mind-thing. I found ‘Battlefield of the Mind’ to be about overcoming our carnal mind and how we will become what we think. Many things in Joyce’s book were inspiring to me but chapter 16 made me think about my vision. The Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness because they could not see the vision of what God had in store for them. The journey should have taken about 11 days according to scripture but most of them never made it and the ones who did took 40 years. Ouch…I may not have 40 years to finish my quest?? I found myself rereading this chapter and really thinking about it. I wondered if I really had a vision of myself. Could I really see myself at the end of my quest - healthy, trim and happy? After thinking long and hard about it I realized I did not.

There was a popular song the year my youngest daughter graduated from high school that went something like, “I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. If I can see it, I can be it.” As I thought about Lindsey singing this song and was recalling the beautiful lyrics, I realized I needed to have a vision like this for my butterfly quest and really…it would not hurt to have a clearer idea as to what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. So of course, I did a lot of soul searching and found my friend “Google” had lots to say on the subject to help me. J

My youngest daughter Lindsey with her husband Ben

My Mission Statement: Mission Statement: Concise statement of your life purpose.

To live a life that cultivates self-esteem, self-respect, self-fulfillment and happiness and to motivate, encourage and inspire others to do the same.  

I like what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Everyone has the power for greatness-not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service."

My Vision Statement: Vision Statement: Concise statement of the unique and distinctive ways that you will accomplish your purpose.

Using God’s help, strength and inspiration I will live a life that cultivates self-esteem, self-respect and happiness. I will work to become my best self.  I will seek ways to inspire and motivate others to do the same by using my example, life style, musical and writing talents, sacrifice and service, and love of family and humanity.

Henry David Thoreau said, "In the long run men only hit what they aim for."

I am sure my vision statement may change and need to be adjusted as I work to fulfill my quest, but working on this really gave me a better idea of the ’big picture’. I now realize that God, love, respect, family and legacy are a driving force in my life. Music and writing fill my heart with joy and light. I more clearly see the purpose of these talents and can’t wait to use them. I want to love and give to others - it fulfills me! I can do this with God’s help and tonight I find myself smiling about the future again. :-) I have my new purpose, heart, soul and future envisioned. I can see the future. I do believe I can fly, if I can see it, I can be it! The future looks awesome!

Just a comment about what I wrote -

Reading back over this…it seems to read a little corny… but I hope you can receive this as just ‘’me sharing” something that is important to me because I really do want to make a difference in my life… for me, my children and grandchildren. And for you as well… if you will let me!

Here are a few ideas in case you want to try writing your own mission and vision statements –

http://www.lifetoolsforwomen.com/p/write-mission-vision.htm

The vision statement encompasses uniqueness and specificity? It is the vision statement-not the mission statement-that reflects your unique gifts and strategies.

Your vision statement serves as a compass to keep things going in the right direction. It helps you measure your progress, set goals, establish priorities, and know when to use one of the most important words in your vocabulary: No.

The number one deadly fear of most people is "having lived a meaningless life."

Why, then, does writing a mission statement seem like such a daunting task?

When you were a child you probably learned how to start a fire by focusing sunlight through a magnifying glass. Sunlight alone could not start the fire; it had to be focused through the magnifying glass. This reflects a basic principle of solar energy-though a large amount of sunlight falls on the earth, the light is diffused. For the sun to be utilized for heating, solar energy units must be designed to collect and concentrate the light.

The same principle applies to purpose. It must be focused to produce results. With no focus, there is no mechanism for establishing direction or goals.

Writing mission and vision statements will provide the focus you need to reach your goals and dreams

You may not see a clear picture right now, and that's fine. Relax. Don't sweat it. Enjoy the process.

In other words, your mission statement is not written in stone. You can and should revisit it periodically. Most likely you will revise and fine-tune it time and again. Don't be concerned about whether it is precisely accurate. Pray and ask God to lead you in this endeavor.

Take time out from your busy schedule to prayerfully reflect on your personal mission, as you understand it at this point on your journey. Look at the big picture, and ask yourself questions like, Who am I? Why am I here? What are my desires and dreams? What is my mission, or purpose?

Defining your purpose should be a stimulating and motivating exercise. It should stir enthusiasm and excitement.

Many people feel that purpose must relate to a vision of achieving something of great magnitude or something that affects a nation or even the entire world. But purpose does not necessarily involve grandiose ideas.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Everyone has the power for greatness-not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service."

Judy Rushfeldt is an author, speaker, and online magazine publisher who has been writing for 25 years. Her passion is to inspire and equip women to reach their dreams. Her latest book, Making Your Dreams Your Destiny - - a woman's guide to awakening your passions and fulfilling your purpose, is now available in quality bookstores. To read more about this book, including a sample chapter, or to order online, click here: MakingYourDreams.com

You can FLY butterflies. I can see it!