Visioning for 2008
January 7th, 2008, by Shelley Riutta
We had a blast at the Radiant Life Support Group on this past Saturday. We worked on Visioning our goals for the upcoming year. We first did a paired exercise where each person stated “If I weren’t afraid I would…” they kept repeating it so they could clear out the blocks of fear that were in the way of their highest visions for the future. We then did a guided imagery to open up even more to the highest vision they had for their lives. It is from this highest vision that you want to write down your goals.
Your wounded self always wants to keep you small and not take any risks. Your higher self wants to expand and create at the highest level. Everyone wrote down their visions for the upcoming year and you could just feel the excitement in the room. We then shared our visions with each other. Hearing other people’s visions helps to inspire us even more and reach even higher. That is why doing this in a group is so important. The next assignment was for everyone to put their visions into a Vision Board on Tuesday January 8th. (You can follow along with this too!)
What is a Vision Board? A vision board is a large piece of paper, cork board or poster foam that you put images on to represent what you are wanting to manifest in the upcoming year. You can section off the Vision Board for the different areas of your life and put images (from magazines), words, drawings to illustrate what you want. A fun thing to do is also name a theme for the year–like “The Year of Joy” “The Year of Fully Loving Myself” “The Year of Living my Life Purpose”. If you choose a theme you can post it across the top of your Vision Board. Plan on spending 1-2 hours putting it together. You can reflect on your visions and plan what you will put on it beforehand or let it be more organic-letting it develop as you are putting it together.
A friend of mine uses a cork board with push pins and adjusts hers throughout the year. I use a large white piece of paper and paste images, words and draw with crayons. Create your Vision Board from the highest vision of your Essence and HAVE FUN! In my previous blog post I list a link (click on “goals down for the upcoming year”) to Edward Mills web-site–he has some great ideas about Vision Boards and is doing some fun stuff in California with Vision Boards. He is having people send in a picture to his site of their Vision Board. I think it is such a great idea that I will invite people to either right their visions down or post a picture in my blog. It will be really fun to see what everyone posts!
Why January 8th? On January 8th there is a New Moon that begins at 6:38 a.m EST. Jan Spiller, an astrologer, in her book “New Moon Astrology: Using New Moon Power Days to Change and Revitalize Your Life”–discusses the power of setting intentions on the New Moon. She writes: For centuries farmers the world over have known to plant their crops by the cycles of the Moon. The Moon moves rapidly through the constellations of the zodiac, and aligns with the Sun (conjoins) once approximately every twenty-nine and a half days. This is called the New Moon, and it is that period of time when we cannot see the Moon in the night sky. In America, farmers consult the annual Farmer’s Almanac, which supplies the dates and phases of the Moon to determine the best time to plant their crops in order to insure the greatest yield. The New Moon is a time that promotes all forms of growth. For example, if you want your hair to grow more quickly and fully, have it cut on the day of the New Moon. If you want your fingernails to grow long and strong, have manicures on the days of the New Moon. Anything initiated on those days will be met with rapid growth: a business venture, a relationship, a creative project. The New Moon is fruitful for strong new beginnings.
She states that the first 8 hours of the New Moon are the most potent but doing it within the first 48 hours will still work.
So look at your calendar for tomorrow (January 8th) and carve out some time to create your Vision Board—put on some great music and vision away! You might even invite a friend over to create with you or make a plan to show each other your Vision Boards. We will be sharing our Vision Boards in Wisconsin at the next Radiant Life Support group meeting which is on Saturday February 2nd.
Join the fun and share your Visions for 2008 with the World! I invite you to share your Vision in the comment section below.
Hi, I'm Shelley Riutta MSE, LPC a Holistic Psychotherapist in private practice. I specialize in helping people connect with their Authentic selves--and from this create a life that is in alignment with their Life Purpose and filled with Joy. I offer transformational individual counseling, presentations, groups and Workshops. You can get my Free Workbook "What Do You REALLY Want: Finding Purpose and Passion in Your Life" here or contact me at 920-265-2627.

Well, I just finished my vision board and it was very much fun. I actually started working on it last Sunday after the support group. I pulled out my goals and what I had written down at the meeting to direct me. I had a bunch of magazines and just browsed and pulled out pictures, words, quotes, etc. that might fit with my goals. My husband just looked at me and didn’t ask what the he– I was doing. Then tonight I went through and picked out the ones I wanted and arranged them on a poster board. One of the quotes I found says “vision in motion”, which was perfect for my title. Shelley is right about the group last Saturday, lots of energy, sharing, honesty, feedback and comradery. The group really does bring out the best in everyone. I particularly appreciate everyone’s individuality and uniqueness. The ideas shared are just awesome. to borrow a quote from someone else in the group, they just “kick ass”! (: I sure hope I got my board done in time for the moon phase thing!
Comment by Marcia — January 8, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
I actually started my Vision Board a year ago, but let it get dusty and hidden away. I have been revising it and really kicked it in on Jan 8th. I will be finishing this morning (the 9th). I am very excited about it and I am holding NOTHING back! I am going to marry my soulmate, Tony, and we are going to have happy, healthy children together. We are going to have a positive, nurturing, loving, lifelong relationship. I am going to be financially secure myself and will bring this to all of my relationships- friends, family, business, spiritual, etc. to enrich them as well. I will be buying or building a real house (I only have had investment properties) to call my own to share peacefully with Tony and our family. I will prosper in every area of my life that is most dear to my heart. I will title my Vision Board “Follow Your Bliss” and in the middle of it I will post the words, “Expect Good & Kickass!” (That puts a huge smile on my face and makes me laugh and excited and empowered all at the same time!) I am looking into more upcoming phases of the moon to aid me in my journeys. Thank you to all of you who see Beyond what is directly in front of you and for believing in yourselves and me, too! Shelley you are FABULOUS!
Comment by Lisa — January 9, 2008 @ 8:41 am
Shelley my little girl was so excited when she read about the Vision Board she was jumping up and down with joy! We went out bought the tag board right away. I worked on the Vision Board from January 8th thru the 10th and had so much fun. I started out painting bright colored lines and swirls all over the board. (That way my white spaces between pictures wouldn’t be white). Then I cut out pictures and phrases from magazines to match my two intial goals
1) I have a job where I have a lot of fun
and get paid for it.
2) I take care of myself physically,
emotionally, and spiritually.
But as I was cutting out pictures and arranging them on the board a third goal emerged; Stop waiting to have fun, go out and do the activities you love. When I finished my board on Thursday night I felt ecstatic. Everytime I look at my board I’m so pleased with myself. Shelley thank you for your AWESOME ideas!!!
Comment by Mary — January 13, 2008 @ 8:37 am
Marcia, Lisa and Mary- Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with your Vision Boards! Your ideas and enthusiasm are very inspirational to me—all of you are so AMAZING!!
Comment by Shelley Riutta — January 13, 2008 @ 9:47 am
[…] Visioning for 2008 […]
Pingback by Visioning Exercise — January 13, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Hi Shelly
Thanks for sharing your inspiration!!
My top three goals for 2008 are
1. Have achieved over $500,000 net profit after tax by 31/12/08 through my Real Estate businesses
2. Have moved to Boston (from New Zealand) by October 08
3. Have our first baby girl on the way by October 08 i.e. my wife pregnant
I find there is a lot of power in stating clear goals, so I have a 2020 framework as the biggest picture and then drill down to the current year.
If I want to consciously attract into my life, I need to be clear with what I want!!!
Have fun
!!!!
Chris
Comment by Chris — January 14, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Hi Chris-
Thanks for sharing your Visions—I love how focused and clear you are. I look forward to celebrating with you and Vyara the achievement of your goals when we are together on the Cruise.
You are a magnificent Soul!
Shelley
Comment by Shelley — January 14, 2008 @ 8:48 pm