My long, painful, heart-wrenching and expensive separation & divorce process has finally come to an end. The pain is palpable, and yet, there is still peace. This week is literally the first days of the rest of my life with a new story to create and a blank slate on which to paint the colours, shapes and complexion as a backdrop to the conversation, laughter, tears and joy that will mark each new page in this next story. I pray that the way I process the exceedingly trying final chapter in the story of George & Sharon will allow me to grow in wisdom, depth, compassion and grace. Each morning, as I open my eyes, I am a completely free agent who can choose absolutely everything about my new life. I can cast my eye back and learn from the past, but I will not dwell there. My goal is to leverage the lessons and get on with living and celebrating this one precious life. At this point in the journey, my heart is very heavy, but I know it will lighten as I heal and move forward.
So, to mark this new chapter, I took time to create a vision board. I reflected on each aspect of my life: personal development, finances, living space, community life, relationships and health then created a personal vision board with pictures and images and words of what I want both for me and from me going forward. I take stock of my current capacities and limitations in all realms of my life, from finances and earning potential to health, energy, and where I am at with my personal and professional development. I nail down with complete clarity the purpose of my life. Finally, I create my vision for what I want next. These images and words on my board remind me of who I want to be and what I would like to do this upcoming year. To be effective, a vision needs to be so clear and real that it will start permeating my unconscious choices. It is designed to encompass all aspects of my life.
When I coach someone, I help them establish their own mission, vision and action steps by asking questions and providing support to inspire the creation of a plan, action steps and a means to track progress towards their desired goals. Creating a vision board is one way to start the process. Some people prefer to write a vision statement. And still others prefer to just talk it out with their coach. Comparing current reality to one's desires is a great way to establish goals. I definitely have some goals I want to achieve this coming year!
Yes, I have grieved the losses and will no doubt have bouts of grieving in the days to come, but I have finally closed that chapter of that particular book. Today as I embark on this new life as a recently divorced single person, I do so with gratitude for my past; I am grateful for each tear, each challenge and each joy that stretched me out of my comfort zone. I am grateful for my children, my family and my friends. My life is immeasurably blessed and enriched because of your love. Thank God for you people in my life!
As I move forward, I choose forgiveness and grace for both me with my imperfections and for my ex spouse with his. I know that forgiveness is my path to freedom. So each morning, when I wake up, I decide to forgive, count my blessings, choose my attitude, visualize who I want to be and what I want to achieve and then get on with life.