To those that know me well you will know that I speak endlessly about the power of having a personal vision or goal. To have something that gets you out of bed, that keeps you focused and something that makes your eyes light up. The vision of what you hope and dream for your life to be like. Let me explain...
I spent most of my life controlled by a severe eating disorder. It began in my very early pre-teen years and lasted well into my late 20's. I was hospitalized for months at a time, and missed out on experiencing a lot of "normal" life events. I was deathly afraid of sitting, even for just five minutes. I refused to eat outside of what was comfortable, hello boring protein bar and air. I blocked out the idea of having children...um weight gain, no no no way. The idea of taking time to relax was totally off limits and the idea of it would send me running in the other direction. I never believed that I would be able to travel, relax, have kids, or just be free from the chains of the eating disorder thoughts.
It wasn't until I recognized that I was on my way back to being hospitalized that I began to wake up to the fact that this is not the way I had to live, or truly wanted to live at my core. I never took the time, or was open to thinking that something else was possible for my life. I had always defined myself, and my life by the restrictions the disorder seemed to place on me. One day, overwhelmed with panic and anxiety, it hit me-- there had to be something else. I knew everything to know about treatment. I had seen psychologist after psychologist but I kept repeating the same cycle. It was that hot July day that I began researching alternative pathways to recovery.
To keep a VERY long story short, I stumbled upon the power of creating a personal vision. That evening I took time to actually think about what I, not the eating disorder, wanted for my life. I had never truly given myself the time or opportunity to think about that before. I was blown away when my heart was calling for travel, relaxation, kids, and freedom. I spent years... decades even! ...considering these things off limits. It was at that very moment that I decided I wanted to make these callings a reality, and not just a far off pipe dream.
This is why I am so passionate about the power of creating a vision. It saved my life! If I did not give myself the time, space and opportunity to think differently than I would never be in the place I am today. So..who do you truly want to be? What do you really want out of life? When you pass away, what do you truly want to be remembered for? Are you living a life that truly fulfills your heart, or are you just doing what is comfortable?