a half-year vision board and short reflections on living and love
this post is dedicated to my grandpa George Ryon, who passed away December 8th of this year. I always hope my faith is as firm and my joy as bright as his.
two winters ago, i started making digital vision boards for myself - simple visuals or quotes from Pinterest with notes attached about how I envisioned myself living into that concept or dream. this is my third year making one, and I’ve decided to incorporate half-year goals because my seasons of life are divided nicely by the academic semester and I like the opportunity to reassess things and adjust my expectations as needed.
many people make resolutions this time of year, and I love doing that too, but for me this process has to be linked to the ongoing cycle of growth and change that I am going through. it’s often easiest for me to reflect on the past while looking to the future; to me, they are inextricably linked. I find the signposts of beginnings and endings helpful, but seed growth happens in seasons, and songs return to their motifs.
to borrow some language from my faith tradition, I believe I am going through the cycle of life, death and resurrection constantly throughout my time here on earth. different parts of me are dying and being composted into new soil for new things to sprout up. everything is drawn from the old things that have come before but are no longer, and everything leads to the new things that have yet to be realized.
for this reason, it seems difficult to share just my current visions and dreams because I feel like I’d have to share all of them over the years so you can see the growth and the motifs that are reoccurring throughout them! For today, though, I’ll just share the snapshot of my life in this season.
host.
I want to share good food with good people, enjoying conversations and talking about dreams.
half-year goals include trying four new recipes and hosting people for dinner once or twice a month.
wander.
I want to find beautiful places near and far, taking time to practice presence.
half-year goals include visiting two beautiful new places over spring break and summer break.
stay.
I want to practice presence in my observation of self and others, taking time to sit in the most vulnerable spaces without anxiousness to leave.
half-year goals include leading the lenten writing retreat for my church community and continuing trauma therapy.
learn.
I want to continue letting my education be a home for grace.
half-year goals include choosing a thesis topic and finding a thesis advisor.
wonder.
I seek to keep my eyes open to the new life around me and within me.
half-year goals would be against the point here.
live free.
I chose this silly tumblr quote because it’s how I want to live - silly, free, uninhibited by fear.
half-year goals include trying three fun things I’m afraid of.
write.
I want to keep reflecting on life through my writing, incorporating all of my other visions and goals.
half-year goals include writing a dozen more poems.
my heart is feeling all the emotions (link to my current favorite song) as I come to the end of this year, the signpost of another season. I’ve accomplished so much this year and could recount all my dreams that have come true, but I’m learning that all those fall secondary to the love I’ve given and received. and those accomplishments won’t earn me the love I want. I deserve love and have love just because I’m here.
I’m thankful you’re reading this, and I hope you are able to experience the joy of discovering your own beautiful beginnings and endings in whatever season you’re in. I hope you’re learning more about your belovedness and are finding ways to embrace it.
Christmas blessings to each and every one of you.
—m.