Living In The Gap Of Possibility And Purpose: Part 3
NOTE: This is part 3 of a series of articles about the power of
living in 'the Gap' of possibility and purpose. Today, we'll
look at how the process of creating a "Visionary Reality" can
inspire us out of bed each morning, excited to move our lives
forward along the Purposeful Path.
BRAD
PART 3 - The Tremendous Life Shaping Power of Vision By W.
Bradford Swift
Perhaps the Bible says it best -- "Without vision the people
perish." But what is vision? In working with thousands of people
over the last 16 years as a coach, I've found that vision is a
key ingredient of our life purpose.
It's what we see to be possible, not only for ourselves, but for
our families, our communities, indeed for the world. Without it
we perish. I've found helping people reawaken their sense of
what's possible so important that it's a key component of
preparing for the journey along the Purposeful Path because the
more someone taps into this realm of possibility the more
inspired they will be to take the actions necessary to make it
their current reality.
Through the coaching process you want to create a new future for
yourself that you will know what this new reality looks like,
feels like, what you will be doing in it, and what you will no
longer be doing because those actions are no longer consistent
with who you are. You want to be able to taste, hear and fully
experience this new future. Then, from this new reality you will
look back to your present reality and discover "The Gap" that
exists between where you currently are and where you are
DESTINED to be!
And yet this gap will look completely different from where you
will be looking from because the perspective you are accustomed
to look from your entire life is from the past and present
looking forward into the future.
But through this "visionary reality process" you will reverse
this -- you will stand in the future, in the visionary reality
you've created and looked BACK to the present. The view from the
future is profoundly different -- life altering in its profound
shift in perspective. Here's an example that will illustrate the
point.
The View from Mount Everest
Imagine sitting in your living room leafing through a National
Geographic magazine when your eyes fall upon a picture of Mt.
Everest. You've longed for years to climb this mountain but in
the busyness of life it's been a dream placed on the back
burner. Now as you stare at its majestic summit you think, "Wow,
wouldn't it be awesome to stand at the top of one of the tallest
mountains in the world?" As you read the article you begin to
speculate about the possibility of climbing it.
In the process what is also likely to happen as you do this? If
you're like the rest of humanity, a lot of what will be there
mixed in with the dream is all the reasons you CAN'T fulfill on
the vision. You're not strong enough -- you smoke 3 packs of
cigarettes a day and climbing a flight of stairs is a major
challenge. Besides, your family would never support you in
pursuing this dream. On top of which you couldn't possibly take
off from work for such a massive undertaking. So as you begin to
focus on all the reasons you can't accomplish this dream you
begin to attract more and more negative energy, which will
probably result in your dropping the magazine on the coffee
table, clicking on the television and strolling into the kitchen
for another beer while lighting a cigarette. POOF! So much for
your dream of climbing Mt. Everest.
Switch Frames to Your Visionary Reality
This time imagine you're standing on the peak of Mt. Everest.
Just moments ago you took the last few steps that brought you to
the pinnacle of the mountain and of your life. You raise your
arms in the air as you gaze over the most majestic view before
you. The sense of satisfaction, fulfillment and accomplishment
is almost more than you can bear. It's so strong that it brings
tears of joy to your eyes and you feel your legs weaken as you
fall to your knees in a humble prayer of gratitude for the power
that made this moment possible. As you kneel there giving thanks
you take a few moments to reflect back to when the seed of this
dream was 1st planted -- that evening in your apartment when you
were leafing through the National Geographic. But this time
you're looking back on that moment from the pinnacle of Mt.
Everest with the goal already accomplished.
Can you begin to see how different your perspective would be?
You'd be able to see many of the obstacles and roadblocks you
had faced and you would know that you had successfully overcome
them all. Now, imagine doing this for a vision that is a true
reflection of your life purpose. How powerful would this be?
What effect could it have on your life? What contribution to the
world would become possible? That is what is available when we
use the power of vision to shape our lives while making a
difference for others. What is your vision for the world? Have
you been willing to surrender your life to its fulfillment? If
not, what are the obstacles and roadblocks that stand in your
way? What would allow you to take the realization of that vision
to new heights? What resources do you need to attract to support
your vision? What are you waiting for?