My daughter Sugar suggested that I make a vision board for 2020.  Additionally, she recommended making a gratitude board for the past year. I think it’s a great idea.  As it is, I make it a point to express my thanks daily.  But, to tell the truth, sometimes it comes out sounding kinda dopey. I’ve got to put some thought into this.

How can I get better at manifesting the things and experiences that I want in my life?

Making time to create a personal vision board can be part of the manifestation process. With this in mind, my goals have to be important enough for me to document them. And, they have to be easy to access so I can focus the energy to make them real.

I love the idea of affirming to the universe the things that are close to my heart. However, I’m not a fan of the traditional way vision boards are created. Therefore, you won’t see me buying a bunch of magazines and cutting out images to glue to a poster board.

Instead, I like the idea of creating an online vision board and using the end result as the wallpaper or screensaver for my phone and laptop.  That way I can access them whenever and wherever I am. Yeah, that’s the ticket!

So, I’ll be making digital boards online.

What are the steps for creating a gratitude board?

Reflection

Reflection means spending time reviewing the past year. Consider what was good and what was not so good. Indeed, reviewing the events of the previous year can help you clarify the goals for the new year. For the purpose of jogging your memory, consult your calendar.

Gratitude

Of course, we want the good stuff to keep coming as the bad stuff drops off. Still, we have to learn to not focus only on the good. As a matter of fact, acknowledging our misfortunes by being thankful for the lessons we’re taught is another form of gratitude.

Affirmations

According to Dictionary.com, an affirmation is, “the assertion that something exists or is true“. Thus, these are done in the present tense. For example, “I enjoy a healthier life because my dog and I spend time walking and exploring the outdoors. For this reason, I am grateful for Roxie.”

Quotes

The right affirmations and quotes will lift your spirits and keep you on task. Here’s a quote from Tony Robbins, “When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” To be sure, I like the sound of that, don’t you?

Images

This is the perfect time to upload some of those pictures from the past year. You know the ones that make you feel so good every time you see them.

How should I go about creating a vision board?

Goal-setting

When it comes to the actual vision board, the first thing is to have a vision. It’s very personal and can involve any part of your life. Some examples are:

• Career
• Family
• Health
• Hobbies
• Love
• Travel
• Wealth

Think long and hard before you commit to your vision because it’s really important that you make the choice that’s right for you.

Affirmations

Once you’ve figured out what you want to accomplish, the next step is to search for affirmations for your vision board. Affirmations are a means of self-motivation. When your mind says, “this has come to be true“, the inclination is to take the steps to make it real.

Quotes

Similar to affirmations, quotes from accomplished and successful people serve to keep us on the right path.

Images

Images are a way to put yourself in the environment you seek. You can literally place your image in the picture. And, why not? This is what you’re looking to achieve this year and a picture is worth a thousand words.

• Instead of cutting up magazines and newspapers you can spend some time perusing the internet for meaningful images and pictures. Also, don’t hesitate to use your own photos or graphics if they demonstrate the feelings of your goal.
• When it comes to royalty-free image websites, Creative Commons is great because it showcases a variety of different sources. You can find Google Images, Flickr, and Pixabay, and even YouTube all under one roof (so to speak).

Reflection

For this vision board to be effective, you’ll have to pay lots of attention to it. That’s where the digital version is so helpful. How convenient is it that you have instant access to it with your phone, tablet, or laptop? You don’t have to be home looking at the physical board hanging on your bedroom wall.

Showing gratitude for the past and excitement for the future are two ways to practice mindfulness and the law of attraction. Also, if you want to practice gratitude for your dog, you’ll like this Dance Safari post, “How to Be Happy – Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are“.

By the way, I’ll be using Canva.com for my online boards. If you Google “vision boards” you’ll see that you have many choices. Happy cutting & pasting!