A Year Guided by Visions: My 2023 Journey
This year, my journey was guided by a carefully curated vision board. Each element symbolized not just aspirations but areas for growth and exploration. From public speaking to embracing new technologies, here’s how my vision board led me through 2023.
1. Public Speaking: From Workshops to the Library
Public speaking was a significant theme this year. It all started with a Gratitude Workshop on my deck, an initiative born from my involvement with the Ladies Who Lift group. This gathering was more than just a workshop; it was a celebration of community and shared learning. We delved into the power of gratitude, and this event set the stage for my foray into larger public speaking engagements. It was an exhilarating experience that culminated in a successful presentation at the local library. This wasn’t just about sharing knowledge; it was a demonstration of my growth as a speaker and a leader. These experiences have paved the way for future endeavors, including plans for virtual speaking events and possibly more intimate gatherings at the library.
2. Financial Milestone: Progressing Towards Mortgage Freedom
One of my pivotal goals for 2023 was making strides towards financial independence by focusing on my mortgage. My approach was unique yet practical: rounding up my payments to the nearest thousand each month. This strategy was more than a financial tactic; it embodied my commitment to disciplined savings and foresight. By consistently adding a little extra, I was able to chip away at the principal, accelerating my journey towards mortgage freedom. Each rounded payment was a small but powerful victory in my quest for financial stability. It’s a journey of balancing present needs with long-term goals, a crucial skill in financial planning. This methodical approach to paying off my mortgage is reflective of my overall strategy for⬤
3. Becoming an Amazon Author: From Gratitude to Creativity
In 2023, my creative journey took a significant leap forward as I ventured into the realm of authorship. It began with the publication of my gratitude journal on Amazon. This project was more than just writing; it was an exploration into self-expression and sharing insights on gratitude with a broader audience. The journey didn’t stop there. Inspired by the possibilities, I translated the journal into Spanish, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
The real transformation, however, came with my foray into coloring books. This wasn’t just about writing; it was about visual storytelling. Prompted by my readers’ desire for coloring pages in their journals, I ventured into this new creative avenue. I discovered a course on using AI for designing coloring books, a process that was both challenging and exhilarating. Embracing AI tools was transformative – it allowed me to craft books without needing traditional artistic skills. This process was a revelation, showing me that art and creativity come in many forms and can be accessed through technology. The creation of these coloring books was more than an artistic venture; it was a journey of self-discovery and redefining what it means to be a creator.
4. Health and Mobility: A Journey of Resilience
In 2023, and now continuing into 2024, my health and fitness journey is driven by a significant goal: to walk 20 feet with just one crutch, aiming to qualify for a groundbreaking clinical trial for progressive MS. This goal transcends physical training, symbolizing my resilience and determination in the face of the challenges posed by my condition.
My practice sessions, often along a path by the men’s locker room at the gym, were not just physical endeavors but mental battles too. Here, in this public setting, every step was a display of my commitment, and every pause to regain my bearings was a part of the process. These efforts are a personal testament to my strength and capability.
As I continue this journey into 2024, each effort in the gym remains a crucial step toward my goal. It’s about more than physical mobility; it’s a continuous fight for improvement and a testament to the unwavering human spirit in the face of adversity.
This journey has also highlighted the nuances of my MS progression, notably the changes in my right hip flexor and hand strength. These challenges, however, have only served to fortify my resolve. They’ve even influenced my creative pursuits, like adapting my coloring book style to include a black background, tailored to my unique needs and abilities.
- Podcasting: Nurturing Bonds and Exploring Technology
The podcasting adventure in 2023, extending into 2024, became a remarkable blend of personal bonding and technological exploration. Alongside my son, Sean, we delved into the intricacies of digital audio editing using Audacity, transforming our creative ideas into auditory experiences. Sean’s role was pivotal; he not only learned the technicalities of editing but also became an integral part of the creative process, recording intros and helping structure the podcast.
However, the journey with podcasting was layered with strategic decisions. Initially, the excitement of content creation led us to frequent recordings. Yet, as time progressed, I realized that the return on investment in terms of audience engagement and content value didn’t align with the effort required. This realization led to a strategic pivot – reducing the frequency of our podcasts. It wasn’t a step back, but a calculated decision to enhance quality over quantity, focusing our energies where they were most impactful.
This shift in our podcasting approach also opened up opportunities for Sean and me to explore other areas of interest. The time and energy saved were redirected to areas that offered more fulfillment and learning. The podcasting experience thus became a lesson in adaptability and strategic thinking, demonstrating that sometimes, the most significant growth comes from reassessing and realigning our efforts with our core goals.
As we move into 2024, the learnings from this podcasting journey remain invaluable, shaping our approach to future projects and collaborations.
6. Artistic Evolution with AI: Independence in Creation
This year, I embraced artificial intelligence (AI) for digital creativity, an endeavor that initially began as an effort to enhance my gratitude journal with coloring pages. This exploration into AI and digital art proved to be transformative, significantly expanding my creative capabilities. The journey began with the need to create unique images for my projects, leading me to delve deeply into AI’s capabilities in design and creativity. What started as a quest to fulfill specific needs for my coloring books and gratitude journal evolved into a comprehensive exploration of the world of AI-generated art. This process wasn’t merely about creating images; it became a journey of learning, experimentation, and redefining the boundaries of traditional creativity. As I grew more proficient in using AI tools, I discovered a new realm of artistic expression, allowing me to bring the visions in my mind to life in tangible forms, unrestricted by the limitations of conventional artistic skills. This venture into AI and digital creation opened up a myriad of possibilities for how I could present my ideas and projects to the world, endowing me with a nearly limitless palette of creative options. This significant shift towards digital creativity represented a transformation in my entire approach to the process of creation and self-expression.
7. The Unfulfilled Vision: Staying Resilient
My vision involving David Lyons remains unfulfilled this year. It’s a reminder that some goals take longer but are worth the continued effort and focus.
In 2023, a part of my vision board journey involved confronting and embracing unfulfilled goals, particularly my aspiration related to David Lyons. While this goal remained unrealized by the year’s end, the experience has been far from a setback. Instead, it has offered valuable lessons in patience, adaptability, and the evolving nature of goal-setting.
The journey with this unmet goal served as a reminder that not all objectives are achieved within our planned timelines and sometimes require a reassessment or a change in strategy. This experience highlighted the importance of being open to different paths that may lead to the same destination and the fluidity of ambitions.
Rather than viewing this as a failure, I see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. It has taught me to maintain focus on my long-term visions while being flexible in my approach to achieving them. This experience with an unmet goal underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving ambitions.
As I reflect on this part of my journey, I recognize the value of embracing both the successes and the yet-to-be-achieved dreams. It’s a testament to staying committed to my visions while being open to the journey’s twists and turns.
This section covers the important aspect of embracing and learning from unfulfilled goals, specifically your experiences related to David Lyons. It emphasizes the importance of adaptability and learning in the process of pursuing personal goals. Feel free to copy and adjust this content for your blog post.
Conclusion:
Reflecting on the year, my vision board was a guide through a rich tapestry of experiences, from public speaking to exploring digital frontiers. As I close this chapter, I look forward to drawing up my visions for 2024, ready to embrace new learning opportunities and adventures. Each step in this journey has prepared me for the exciting possibilities that lie ahead, reinforcing my commitment to lifelong learning, creativity, and personal growth.
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