Never Give Up On Your Vision!
“When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’” ~ Author Unknown
What do you do when you have an amazing vision, and are challenged to make it a reality? Answer…NEVER GIVE UP!
Do you remember the initial excitement –which lasted for months—that you experienced about your vision? Do you remember the many sleepless nights, due to the excitement and anticipation of things to come? Do you remember cramped fingers, as you filled your pad with thoughts and ideas? Do you remember words of inspiration flowing through your veins and spilling into your voice recorder at 2:00 a.m.? Do you remember the initial days of planning and the timeline that revealed when things were going to happen?
Do you remember feeling like, this is never going to happen? Well, I do. Navigating the seas of uncertainty, doubt and feelings of failure can be very challenging. As we travel the path to making our vision a reality, the journey is often filled with obstacles, detours, delays and questioning one’s ability to accomplish the vision. Sometimes, these impediments can cause one to throw in the towel due to feelings of overwhelm and failure. In this moment, we can find comfort in the scripture, “And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming – it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.” Boy…PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING! This scripture is GREAT NEWS! No matter the challenges, we are reminded that our vision WILL happen at the appointed time.
On our way to accomplishing the vision, we forget that there is a process to be endured. Truth be told, if we had it our way, we would avoid 80% of the process. Here’s a thought: rather than focus on how long the vision is taking to manifest, focus on who you are “becoming” in the process. On my way to accomplishing my vision, ASPIRE TO GREATNESS was birthed. Through my process, I have become more compassionate, empathetic, loving, patient and kinder towards others. More importantly, I am learning how to be these things FIRST to myself. Remember, we treat people, according to how we treat ourselves. Additionally, I have become more self-aware and live life more consciously.
While navigating the seas of uncertainty, doubt and feelings of failure, it’s vital that we have an array of things we can tap into and/or access to provide us with comfort, support, encouragement and inspiration. I would like to share four specific things I turn toward and pray they will be of great benefit to you on your journey to accomplish your vision.
1. Prayer
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Phillipians 4:6-7
What I love about prayer is that it is free and available to all. Regardless of where you and are and what you are faced with, God sees and hears you. Prayer is an opportunity to talk to God. Sometimes en route to accomplishing your vision, there is no one to talk to. It’s comforting to know that during these times of difficulty, you can always to talk God. Make a commitment today, to pray and present your requests to him regarding your vision. Be sure to ask him for peace and wisdom on how to guard your heart and mind during this season of waiting.
2. Inspirational Readings
What you feed your mind during this season, will determine how you respond to the challenges. During the time of this posting, I am reading Brene Brown’s bestseller, “The Gifts of Imperfection.” The message of this book is to let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are. It’s a guide to wholehearted living. In her preface, Brene opens with this quote, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” WOW…how profound! It’s amazing how during our process to achieve our vision, we want to disown the part of our story that is painful, makes us feel shame and unworthy. I am learning that my power comes from embracing my “entire” story. To fully embrace my story, is to fully embrace who I am…imperfections and all. The extent to which I can provide myself with compassion, kindness, love and acceptance, is the extent to which I will be successful.
So what do you feed your mind and spirit on a daily basis? I enjoy reading the bible, quotes, books, and blogs. Inspirational readings help to feed and build up your spirit man. During challenging times, you need a reservoir of inspiration that you can draw from to quicken and strengthen you for your journey.
3. Meditation
Prayer is YOU talking to God and meditation is GOD talking to you. In this season of my life, meditation has become a valuable companion. Through meditation, I am able to get still and quiet. In this stillness, I gain clarity and am better able to hear from God and my higher self. Meditation quiets my negative self-talk and drowns out the voices of the naysayers, which enables me to become more focused. In this way, I am better equipped to search for solutions and to keep my mind focused on accomplishing the vision.
4. Music
Music is one of our greatest gifts. Hunter S. Thompson said, “Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”
In those moments when I feel as if I don’t have the energy to take another step toward my vision, my mind says in a loud voice, “It’s time for Janelle Monae – ‘Without A Fight.’” Without hesitation, I run to my laptop, select the song from my playlist, and turn the volume up very high. While dancing, laughing and singing at the top of my lungs, I can feel the positive energy coursing through my veins. After an encore, I am fueled and ready to go! I WILL NEVER GIVE UP AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU!
If you’re at the point where you feel like giving up, please listen to “Without A Fight.” Dance, sing, scream and laugh! Do whatever you need to do until you feel a rush of energy; a rush of inspiration; a feeling of hope. In that moment, know that all is well. Know that you have someone in your corner who believes in you…me 🙂 . I know you can do it. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR VISION MY FRIEND…FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!
ASPIRE TO GREATNESS!