Igniting A Grownup Vision: Starting With A Dream!

By: Dr. Kim Carter 

“We will only grow as big as we dream, that's why we must dream big.” Gabrielle Williams

“Little girls with dreams become women with vision.” Anonymous

“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision.  So, write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.”  Neil Gaiman

These notable quotes are a great reminder that having a vision is not only very important, it is vital to our path of life.  It is vision that guides our direction and that is the forecast for what is to be.  Thus, we have a great advantage of establishing, yielding, and bending toward that direction.  The pivotal key rests in how that vision is cast.  In other words, what narrative or illustration have you pinned and created for your life? How big is your vision and how vast does it span?  Consider the questions we are often asked, such as, what do you want to do in the next three to five years?  What are your plans for your next career move?  After college or retirement, what does your journey look like?  These questions cause us to pause and reflect on the plan set before us and hopefully have begun implementing.  Again, how big is your vision and how vast does it span?  Before you answer, make sure it is a grown-up vision! 

A grownup vision is a mature vision.  It is a vision wrapped in the wisdom and knowledge time has granted.  It is not the vision of “what do you want to be when you grow up;” It is the vision that is developed now that you are grownup and grasp the full potential of your life’s purpose and passions.  You know now that the unimaginable is possible, and this is the mindset that leads you to your vision.  

Does your vision solve the infrastructure problem in developing countries preventing clean water access, new technology that addresses ozone depletion?  Or, does your vision utilize artificial intelligence to predict futuristic clothing trends that are delivered via 3D computer imagery and print?   Perhaps, your vision touches upon social constructs that bridge the generation communication gap.  Conceivably, your vision entails sustainable wealth for your family and surrounding community.  

Does your vision aid in lessening the diversity gap in genetic coding’s use for advancing education and human intelligence in general?  There is no vision too small or too large, as they all can be grownup visions that transform lives!  As you are reading this article and really pondering your vision, whether you had an existing one or not, consider the following for a vision that inspires, flourishes, and literally changes the trajectory of your life and the life of others:

• Purpose: Seek your heart’s purpose and there lies the catalyst for your vision.
• Passion:  Harness the passion within you to embrace a vision that really changes the world.
• Playful:  Remember the playful child in you that knew no limits; cast your vision beyond what you can see
• Payday: Pay your vision forward that it may advance all who are fortunate enough to encounter it.
• Persistence: Never let go of your vision and with great persistence, pursue it with all your might.

“Live the Life of Your Dreams: Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.”  Roy T. Bennett

“If you don’t have a vision, you’re going to be stuck in what you know.  And the only thing you know is what you’ve already seen.” Iyanla Vanzant

"Do not allow a thought to enter your mind about where you are at today when you are deciding where you are headed." Author Unknown

May you produce, thrive, and survive by your grown forward-thinking vision!