Visualizing and the Practice of Dreaming

The other morning, while playing floor hockey,  I was reminded of the importance of visualization.  That morning I set my intention for the game, which was simply to score one goal.  Before the game began, I briefly visualized myself scoring a goal.  I did not visualize a powerful slap-shot, but something more inline with my modest skill set.  When I [actually] got the ball in the net (on a rebound), I was thrilled.  Not so much for the point, but that it had happened exactly the way I had imagined it.

I believe, more strongly than ever, that visualizing is key to whatever we wish to accomplish or do.  Dreaming  begins with what is in our hearts, and visualizing is what we do to actualize that dream.

Recently, I have not set aside the time to simply dream or imagine.  Dreaming for me usually happens in the quiet moments, much the way a seed germinates below the soil.  It was the process of scoring a goal in hockey which helped me remember the value of dreaming.

Now that we are settled in our new home, I need to make sure I set aside quiet time in order to dream and visualize the next few years.  As one goal is accomplished, it is natural to begin contemplating new goals and dreams.  One either builds on what one is already doing or changes direction entirely.

In the words of poet Mary Oliver “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”