This post has been a draft for over two weeks. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but I got scared. I wrote the title and sat there, watching the cursor blink at me for several minutes before I hit the “Save Draft” button and walked away from it. What good was setting basllsy audacious goals if I wasn’t going to ballsy and share it with you? So here it goes:
I’m past the point where I’m fascinated by shiny engagement rings or the prospect of finally getting that sexy little mixer on a wedding registry. What I really want is a worthy partner- THAT is what excites me. I want someone to build a life with, to wake up next to- to tackle the world together. I can buy my own damn jewelry- but seriously, finding someone who is willing to cope with my faults and bring out the best in me? That is something worth striving for. I want someone worthy of making the “I do” to.
I have had my share of fancy dresses, fabulous presents, cake shoved in my face with loved ones, I’ve been very lucky in that department thus far, so the wedding isn’t what excites me (yes, Tiffany is rather nice, and I can plan quite a shindig)…but finding the man that will be the Mentos to my Diet Coke to propel our lives into the next stage of awesomeness? I’m ready to shake it up.
Holy cr@p, that means I have like, three months???! This is where I need your help. Other than wanting Mickey Mouse inspired cupcakes and buying myself the much beloved Tiffany necklace I’ve been saving for (Silver anniversary..get it?25? eh???)
I would love to travel somewhere, or do something awesome and charitable, but what? Is Habitat for Humanity feasible in the July heat? Other problem- I don’t have a passport, but I could get one! I wish I could go deliver TOMS shoes to kids in Argentina or lend aid to a community in need here or abroad, but how? HELP? I want to have a journey of some kind…I do lots of fundraisers and have for years, which I love- but for 25, should I step out of my comfort zone and travel?
To be completely square with you, I barely make enough money now to stay afloat…luckily I have a buoy called “Dad” who keeps throwing me a line every once in awhile so I don’t sink while attempting to pay for grad school. While I’m eternally grateful, I realize I’m too old to solicit my dad’s monetary pity. I’m 24 years old, I should be making more money, even while in grad school.
As much as I’ve changed, the one common denominator is that I value community above all else. Coming together with people for a cause, or to improve lives is what gets me up in the morning. Part of my resentment towards the graduate program I’m in is because thus far, it has done nothing to enable my passion for community building and helping others. In fact, I see people drowning in debt and stress over it…and at times I have- and it makes me so mad!
I need to take the power back. I know I can do great things with a graduate degree- if only to teach me (the hard way) that our educational system isn’t functional. Until I get that degree though, I need to do what I love and earn some money doing it. I have had a few suggestions that I’m taking into consideration, but now that I’ve admitted to the world what I lack, I think I’ll need to speed up the thought process. (and I’m always looking for suggestions!)
So here it is: My OFFICIAL vision board. This year, it’s all about “worthiness.” I feel everyone is worthy enough to have love, wealth and prosperity, and you can’t be afraid of it and the work it takes to achieve it.
I know some people laugh at the idea of putting it on paper (like unmentionable-ex boyfriend), and yes, it totally makes me feel vulnerable (but isn’t it pretty?) but I thought it was worth sharing. Not only does it make me more accountable, but I hope it will help push you towards taking a risk in exposing your dreams and goals, no matter how silly or scary.
Well now that my cat’s outta the bag- What do you dream about but are scared to admit?
I’ve been reading several books lately on the Law of Attraction and Power of Intention. This collage that you have made is suggested when you are thinking and dreaming of just what it is that YOU want. I need to MAKE one…I have several ‘things’ on my list and several things that are not ‘things,’ as well. Seeing your collage has inspired me to just DO IT and make one. I have index cards on my mirror with aspirations/affirmations written down…but now I want to make something more VISUAL. Your example is wonderful, Shannyn. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Well Alana, I had been meaning to make a goal board for literally, WEEKS. I had a few things cut out of magazines, the paper to put it on, the glue and all that stuff…and it sat there, on my dresser for a very, very extended period of time. I looked at it, acknowledged I was afraid to put it together, and for awhile, it collected dust. At first, I didn’t know what I was afraid of, but I figured it out: I was afraid of the failure I knew I was soley accountable for. I knew by putting it up there, it was MY job to get it done- and it would be visible for my roomies, and now, the internet world to see. I would see it each morning when I got out of bed- and nobody would make it happen but me.
I have to say, I’m still not 100% comfortable with it. It’s going to take a lot of emotional and literal work to get my goals of a better income, a great 25th birthday and a solid relationship with a parnter…it doesn’t exactly sit pretty with me yet- but I’m hoping it will.
I had a smaller, more “text” based goal board right after I moved to Chicago. My boyfriend at the time laughed at it. He was a jerk. I have learned that goals are nothing to be embarrassed about, and I’m pretty positive that my yacht will be bigger and shinier than his.
I’ve been making these, in one form or another, since I was ten. Back then it was just things I wanted long term, the ideas. Now, when I do them, I’m finding that things actually begin to come my way. The more you see it, the more you focus on your goal. It’s a great tool.
Thanks Katrina! I’m interested to hear what your goals have been and if they were easier to reach/happened quicker by putting them on paper?
I love the idea of displaying your goals visually to keep yourself motivated and on track. While I don’t see myself doing something artsy like this, I have definitely been putting quite a bit of thought recently into my aspirations for the next few years.
I’m running late for class so i cant write much but i love you Shannyn and i think that would be so awesome if you could travel for your 25th! these are all such great goals and im proud of you for everything! youre yacht will DEFINITELY be bigger and shinier.
I have some of those things on my vision board! Though I need to update mine and make it more aesthetically pleasing, aka pretty.Keep up the good work! Your writing is fabulous.
INSPIRING!
After our phone chat the other day, you gave me some things to think about. I think, I need to make one of these boards, as a big birthday is looming (10 months). As always, your writing is wonderful.
Goals are good!
Thanks everyone! I have no choice but to stare down my goals every day on the net AND on my wall, EEEK! Now, I must figure out a way to make them happy… I think it might involve a strong drink, cute guy and a trip to Vegas before he sobers, lol.
Hey, we share some of the same goals, AND we have a friend in common. I love your vision board — I need to do one. People keep telling me they find their old board in the back of a closet years later and they now have the exact same sofa (or whatever) that they stuck on the board, and didn’t consciously realize it.
You go girl — I’m cheering you on!
OH totally. I was watching a presentation that a Mary Kay Director made a few years ago about a goal board she made when she first got married 10 or more years ago. At the time, she didn’t know she was unable to have children- but had put a picture of a little boy with a red hat on her vision board and looked at it s they tried to start a family. After a move and she had lost track of the paper- but eventually settled down and adopted a child with her husband. She raised him for several years before finding the board again, and noticed that she had taken a picture of her little boy, in a red hat, eerily similar to the board she had made years earlier. Though she couldn’t have children of her own as intended when she first made the goal, she eventually had her dream come true- just in a different way years later!
Some might argue it’s a mind trick- sort of like a placebo…or that it’s too common sense or coincidence- that may be true. I honestly don’t see the harm in it (or placebos for that matter) if they get the mind to work in a positive way! 🙂
I love this post and I love you!!! You’ve inspired me to do a vision board – I’ll let you know how that’s coming along 🙂
I also love the birthday ideas. Definitely do Habitat if you get the chance – it was one of the best things I’ve ever done! I know that Huy (do you know him?) is putting together a team to work in NOLA this summer… and the TOMS adventure – please count me in when you decide to do that!!! I have a passport and would love to participate!
Yay Jenny! Yes- the more the merrier! I could totally use company! I don’t know if TOMS does little shoe-drop off trips, but I thought of it and wonder if I could ask them? They’re located in Santa Monica, CA I believe…darnit- why couldn’t they be a Chicago based company? I’d SO work for them!
I seriously need get a passport, not sure how long they’re good for or how much they cost…I might want to look into that.
I wish my students would believe this. They don’t understand that ANYTHING is possible. No one has ever told them and I’ve learned that they don’t know how to accept it.
25th birthday are quite exciting and, if you want to travel, NYC is pretty awesome. My place is always welcome and we could find some wonderful work to do. We could be FABULOUS and PHILANTHROPIC!
Keep setting those goals and you will achieve them!
I know though Quinn, that you are doing tremendous work to give those kids hope! Working with Girls Inc. two years ago really taught me how there is a huge population of kids that need information like this. I eventually ditched the standard curriculum for the after school program I was coordinating and had them make goal boards- sadly many of them were unfamiliar with the concept. I was astounded that many of the girls didn’t know what “self-esteem” was or really had trouble imagining going to college, one girl told me that she “hadn’t thought of it.” 🙁
I would LOVE to come to NYC! If I could get a cheap flight, that would be AWESOME! 😀
[…] -And….I kind of gave up restaurants for a month. We are currently on Day #7. But don’t worry, nobody’s asked me out on a date so we don’t need to have that awkward convo! Hahah….I’m pretty sure the words grad student/blogger is a pre-existing condition that serves as an excellent gatekeeper for members of the opposite sex, and I’m totally fine with that! I have two years right? […]
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