Vision Boards
What are they, how do you make them and how do they work? I thought this would be a perfect topic for my blogging come back as I bow to the universal wizardry that is my vision board!
A vision board is like an altar. You need to imbue it with love and reverence, keep it alive and active, treat it with respect and know that it contains Divine mojo. Place it in a special spot where you’ll constantly see your dreams, hopes and playful fantasies. Vision boards shouldn’t be hidden! They need air and light and room to spread their magnificent wings. Don’t be shy, afraid or ashamed. Your vision board doesn’t want you to shrink like a violet it wants you to explode like thunderous stallion!
To wet you appetite about all things vision, here are 3 of my favorite vision board stories. I hope they inspire you.
Crazy Sexy Cancer & Oprah: When I decided to make my film, I wrote the words Crazy Sexy Cancer on my vision board and though many people (network executives included) told me that I would never get a show like that, with a name like that, on tv – I did. But I didn’t stop there. I tacked a magical itty-bitty note next to my dream. It read, “Oprah, save a seat for me, I’m coming”. It was a long shot, but a powerful voice inside me said that I would meet her and that my goals were within my reach. So even though I didn’t know whether or not I’d be alive let alone finish a film, I kept my eyes on the prize, poured my heart, soul and life savings into the project and 4 years later it aired on TLC and I sat on Lady O’s comfy white couch. I don’t remember much from that super surreal day (other than the fact that she liked my perfume and I liked her earrings and she called me a “Crazy Sexy Teacher,” which I thought was pretty righteous, and I ate Chinese food when it was all over), but I do remember a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.
A bit of advice to all the negative Nellies who like to rain on parades and poop on dreams: When a person is powered by faith, love, a righteous mission and a vision board, it’s best to get out of their way or you just might get hit with the holy sparkle (which wouldn’t be such a bad thing – holy sparkle definitely combats hot air).
Our Office: When Brian and I moved to Woodstock in 2004, we dreamed of having an office in town. But since money was tight, we worked from our tiny (yet energy efficient!) home. Needless to say, it was 24-7 sweat pants and laptops city! Our bedroom was our fulfillment center, our den was our office space and the kitchen table was our assistant’s work area. Not great for the marriage, not great for personal downtime.
For months I’d drooled over ads for office space in the Woodstock Times. But everything was out of our financial reach. We were building both websites at the time and the moolah from my speeches was barely paying the bills and keeping the lights on. Manifestation time!
In order to attract more space in my life I needed to get very clear about my needs. So I scoured through tons of touristy postcards of Woodstock until I found one with a picture from the exact location I wanted to be. Then I placed it on my vision board and wrote the amount of money we could spend on the card. Then I told Brian about my plans and that he had to help me manifest an office even if he didn’t believe it was possible. “Babe, fake it, I don’t care, just be on the same page with me and watch what happens!”
Here’s where the story gets wild and wonderful. I old love rugs, in fact I collect them. One day Brian spilled an entire green smoothie on my very old and very fabulous Tree of Life Rug from Turkey. Fearing my tears, he jetted to town to talk to our friend who is a rug expert. In passing, Brian mentioned that we were looking for affordable office space and if he heard of anything would he tell us. Well, not only did our friend know of a great space in the exact location we wanted, he knew about it before it went on the market so he called the owner and we got it! Did I mention that the rent was exactly what we could afford?
But perhaps my most cherished vision board story comes from my right and left hand, Corinne. It’s better if she tells it herself…take it away Corinne!
“Three years ago, I realized I’d been living someone else’s life. My first step to figuring out my own path was to quit my job and head to an ashram for a month. I spent the following year freelance writing and teaching yoga, but something still didn’t feel right. One night, I returned home from class and caught the end of Crazy Sexy Cancer on TLC. Kris Carr lit a spark in my spirit that resonated so loudly I couldn’t get her message out of my head. I had to live like I meant it and there might be a chance that I could reach for my dreams and actually achieve them.
I scoured the internet for everything Kris had written, bought a juicer, gave my diet a makeover, and started thinking more about the planet. Over time, I learned about vision boards through Kris’ blog and online community. I tore through magazines with scissors in one hand and a glue stick in the other. I pulled every image that would help me piece together my hopes for the future and slapped it on a piece of poster board. You know who was in the center of that vision board? Kris Carr of course.
I also learned about manifesting my desires during this time and I began saying daily affirmations. Each day I would say “I am happy and grateful to have a career based in wellness and that I work for Kris Carr.” I said this in the car, on my meditation cushion, in the shower, before I went to bed and any other time I had the chance to focus for a few seconds on my dreams. I had started a blog when I decided to quit my job and begin yoga teacher training and I would often write about the many ways Kris had inspired me. One day I checked on my blog only to find that Kris Carr had commented on MY blog post! I jumped around the room, yelled downstairs to my husband, printed out the comment and stuck it on my vision board. Maybe this really works, I thought.
As soon as myCSL launched, I started thinking about ways that Crazy Sexy Life could grow. Finally, I decided to send a message to Kris and tell her about my ideas. She messaged me back telling me to call her. I was floored, but dialed the number before I could get nervous. We hit it off and a few days later she asked me to meet her in NYC to brainstorm in person. The whole time I had no idea where this adventure would take me, but I knew that it felt right in my heart. Over the next few months, I got to know Kris and Brian and we turned out to be a pretty rockin’ team. A year and a half later, I’m part of the Team CSL. Not only do I work for Kris and Brian, two people who are my bosses, mentors, and friends, but I don’t feel like my job is “work.” I don’t want to make this sound like it was an easy path. I faced stress and fear along the way (and still do!), but I can say that I am truly living my dreams and that I work for two of the most creative and caring people I’ve ever met who have enriched my life in ways that I didn’t know were possible.”
Wow! Corinne’s story definitely takes the vegan cake!
Vision boards work because they allow you to turn your dreams on. They create a path that leads to action. Look at your vision board like a road map, allow yourself to believe that you are powerful beyond measure and that you deserve to live your best life. Your vision board can be a very helpful compass. But it’s not enough to post stuff and then sit on your sofa and do nothing. Plot and plan your attack!
Your tools: magazines clippings, prayers, sayings, quotes, paper to write stuff on, scissors, glue & poster board, thumb tacks & cork board, imagination, freedom, and a positive attitude, childlike whimsy, giggles, and a sense that anything is possible.
2010 is the perfect time to start a board. You have nothing to lose – well, except doubt and the blues. Share your powerful stories with us! We’d love to see your boards and hear how they’ve transformed your life.
Peace and thumbtacks,
Kris
Ps. I have missed this blog so much! Happy Healthy Love-filled Holidays Everyone!!!
- Posted by Kris Carr on December 24, 2009 at 5:00 am
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Tagged as: career, Corinne Bowen, inspiration, Kris Carr, Spirituality, vision boards
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Great post, Kris – welcome back! This is very timely for me as I was writing out the old ‘10 for Zen in 2010′ this evening. My board is on a boat somewhere between India and Thailand, so I am currently collecting things to re-vamp it when we reunite. Funny thing in common with Corinne’s story – I had a photo and snippet of an article that you were featured in on my old board in order to motivate me to rock on (although it eventually got covered up by other things – yikes!), and now I can proudly say that you accepted me as a guest blogger recently! Behold, the power of the boards!
Jennifer
Wow! What a great inspiring post. I don’t have a vision board yet (though been toying with the idea), but I tell you: January 2010 I will!
So happy to see you back to blogging, lovely, Kris!
And what a great, inspiring story Corinne! I envision myself being healthy, I always imagine a white glowing light around my colon and intestines, shining and healing them. To my imagination they look beautiful, not at all inflamed and red like my colonscopies show. This post has giving me the inspiration to keep doing this and create a vision board to help! Thank you so much for sharing, you are both rockin, amazing women, who inspire me everyday! LOVE YOU! XOXO! Have a wonderful holiday!
Great stories! I made a vision board last year, and realized recently that many of the pictures on it have become a reality, including making cooking a more central part of my life with my blog. But I’m ready for a new vision board. I keep collecting magazine clippings when I see ones that inspire me; now I just have to put them together. This inspired me to make the time to do it!
I made a vision board for my job search. I set November 11, 2009 as my start date for my new job. The board was filled with words and concepts I wanted to focus on in my new job such as human dignity and joy. I worked hard on searching for a position within social work and ended up landing one at a local hospital in early November, about one week before the 11th.
Very timely post, thank you. I did a vision board in 2008 when I was laid off from my job, while I was being treated for breast cancer. It is time to update my dreams. I currently have a nice job that I like, but I’d like to have more warmth and relationships in my life. What a great Christmas project!
Beautiful, Kris! Thank you somuch for sharing! I have two vision boards all based on my physical healing. Every clipping has to do with it. I may make a new one that branches out a bit into the other parts of my life.
Happy Holidays!
Kris, Thank YOU for being YOU – and such an inspiration to many. You have enriched my life beyond words. Dreams and Visions really do come true.
Love & (((((Huggs))))) – Always & Forever!!!
this was great! i have used a vision board before and it most definitely worked! will start using it again! Happy Holidays!!
Kris,
What an awesome blog! You got me motivated to do my vision board for 2010. You are such a huge part of how I deal with my canser on a daily basis. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Holidays blessing to you and Brian – you guys totally rock!
Hugs,
Jeanné
Hey Peas.. I am so glad to see you beautiful face on this page today. I tell you the vision boards will change you life, your mind, and if you say, post it and belive it ,,,, it will come. I am a beliver that it must be nurished loved and kept up daily. If you add to it you are growing your little garden full of johnny jump ups that each have a purpose. I think this year I am going to need a bigger boat as they say on jaws. Like you this year I had to move from my office… well it was a bit backward from you. We were living in my office and the mojo was getting tense on the marriage front. So now all the visions for 2009 have come true and we are heading into 2010 with an eye on the five year board and a huge canvas to post and write on and get the new year going. Until now I used the walls of my bedroom but in the new abode we are going on canvas then I can keep them from year to year. Happy Christmas to you, Brian, Corrine and Lola of course. Many Blessing and thanks for all the blessings you had a part of in this last four years.. Duncan and I send a huge bow your way and wish you health, wealth, happiness and all the sucess a person or two or three can dream of…Love you. Callie
Love that! Happy Holidays!
Great blog as always Kris!
It’s so good to have you back.
I’m gonna start working on my vision board. I still don’t have one.
love to you and peaceful holidays!
I want to thank you for writing on vision boards (and hope you write a sequel article talking about plotting and planning the attack). I did not believe in vision boards, since my previous attempts crashed and burned big time. I decided to give it another go and create another one. I was impressed how it turned out but it was “not pratical” so I ditched and created another one. That one immediately crashed and burned so I went back to my originial one and I have been at peace and very content with myself. I love looking at my board. I don’t feel guilty for having these types of wishes. I also want to thank Corinne for writing that she manifested her desires. After I finished my board, I went several days of closing my eyes and seeing the board vividly. At first I thought I was doing something wrong but now thanks to Corinne, I am okay. Thanks again for your post.
Best wishes for you in 2010 and beyond.
I created something like this over 2 years ago…I’m thinking of making a new one because as time has gone on, I’ve changed and I might do it differently. I do, however have the older one hanging right over my bed. I look at it often. For a while it was in my closet and I think I lost sight of what I needed to keep reminding myself what I need out of life and what I want to attain. Since I’ve made that board, I’ve grown a lot. But I haven’t really attained what I wanted from my vision. Although, I do have this feeling deep inside that this will change. Soon. Thank you for reminding me Kris. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Your story and words have changed my life. You’re a huge inspiration to me.
Be well!
xoxoxoxo
Vision boards definitely work! I received many, many blessings including friendships, jobs, and amazing opportunities through using a vision board.
Yes! Just the spark of inspiration I needed today! Thank you! XXRomke
Kris, Great blog post and inspiration (as always!) for the coming year. I have been using vision boards for about 2 years and have been pleasantly surprised at what shows up! Think I will do another one and watch 2010 be the best year yet! Happy Holidays to you and your family and a big thanks for leading the way as you LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT!
hey kris and all-
LOVE THIS POST!! yesterday with my nieces and nephews in lieu of gifts we made vision boards and had a blast! it is never too early to teach kids about the power of their intention and their mind!!
here’s to an amazing and prosperous 2010 for all!
love you guys
xo
terri
Vision Boards are super powerful, I’ve created one every year for the past several, and used to lead community workshops to provide a space for others to create and share their own.
I always get inspired when I see other people’s boards…reminds me of what possibilities are out there and what I am capable of.
Posted a few of my vision boards and some vision boarding tips here:
http://www.sethigherstandards.com/the-power-of-vision-boards/
SO wonderful and inspiring to read a post from you today Kris! I’m moving in to a new place this week and I know I want to put up a vision board in my new bedroom! Thank you so much Kris- you are beautiful!!
Happy Holidays!
Hi Kris!
Love it! I had already set time aside this weekend to do my VB for 2010, so when I saw this today I knew good energy was around me. You are such a light and I am so blessed to be a part of CSL.
Hugs, Tina
Thank you for reminding me of the power of vision boards and for sharing 3 amazing, concrete examples. Love the tip that vision boards need air and light as I’ve been know to keep mine tucked away.
Here’s to all you envision for 2010!
Danielle
Thank you for talking about vision boards just before we head into a new year! I went out today after reading your blog & bought a framed cork board and a pack of poster board that fits them…..I am starting a new New Year’s Eve tradition this year…. me and my daughters will work on our vision boards for 2010! I love it!
After falling seriously off the nutritional wagon, I will be making a nutritious meal as well as green juice to toast with at midnight!
I am feeling so good about this…what a wonderful, positive, healthy way to start the new year!
Happy New Year to you Kris and to the whole Crazy Sexy Crew!!!
Oh, and I also bought the DVDs “Party Off The Pounds” with Richard Simmons and “The Shift” starring Dr. Wayne Dyer. I plan to start exercising with Richard and I will watch “The Shift” on New Year’s Day!
What a wonderful post and may I say a wonderful website which I have come to love and rely on for a healthier life and lifestyle. Personally I attempted my first vision board last year and the results were wonderous. I had completed a teaching degree but knew my life for so many reasons were centered else where. I had begun baking for a new vegan lifestyle and so I included cup cakes on my vision board and also a huge focus on being mindful on creating a healthier life and being successful (although I wasn’t sure in what field). Little did I know that a few months later I would have my very own vegan cupcake business which included supplying healthier options for local schools, and what’s more I decided to enrole in another degree this time in Health and Wellness. I strongly believe in visualization and so 2010’s vision board will include enhancing my little business and attempting to reach out to families to assist them in making healthier choices. The sky really is the limit. Thank you your endless inspiration and encouragement. Peace
Lovely article and so wonderful to read all the inspiring comments. I love my vision boards! The first time we ever made a vision board was about two years ago; this is my vision board miracle story! I didn’t know much about them but we made one, it was at a very difficult time but we put everything on there even things that people (the doctors, solicitors and the housing solicitors) said we impossible. And everything on the board came true. E.g we were in a top floor flat and my husband had to carry me up and down 4 flights on stairs daily, until I got too sick and became bedbound in the bedroom in the attic. We desperatly needed a ground floor flat close to my family but the councils and housing solicitor for shelter a charity helping us said we would wait at least 5 years, and then it would be a flat in an awful area – mugging, drugs, cars stolen, loads noise etc. Anyway we put it on the vision baord, we prayed and manifested and we had, in less than a year, a beautiful ground floor flat with two bedrooms, in a beautiful quiet rural area, surrounded by woods, fields and mountains near my family (a dream for us). It is perfect, the solicitors couldn’t believe it and when we told them about the vision boarding they got us to email them info on it and want to do it themselves! This is just one example of what came true from that board, and each of the boards we have done since then wonderful miracles – often beyond what we could have dreamed of have manifested in our lives
Thank you for your inspiring words to help keep our vision board energy flowing. with love and healing good wishes to everyone, Grace and Linus xxxx
Kris, I saw your movie on TLC and was in awe of your strength, determination, and humility. My sister has Breast Cancer but doing well Thank God! I just wanted to say that I have been praying for you and am inspired by you to be present in life or try to be that is. I suffer from depression and when I am really down I think of you and know I can get through the bad days. So Kris I thank you for being you and inspiring me and others. You have been a lifesafer. : )
Veronica
Welcome back Kris!!!!!!! I can not tell how much I’ve missed your voice here, although the guestbloggers did a great job
I’ve been writing a diary ever since a kid and for the last ten years or so I make on first of january on the white cover of my diary my vision board for the new year. It starts with going through all magazines and clippings I have and then I start sticking together the pictures and affirmations into a beautiful visioncover. Now and then I look at the pictures and even years back, it is really interesting to see what have come out, even “daft” things… about 7 years ago I put a picture of a bottle of champagne, absolute luxury, and it is amazing how often I’ve had champagne after that 
I always have a giggle sipping the golden bubbles thinking of that picture. Keep up the good work!!!!! Kristina
Thank you, readers! It was so much fun to share my story:) Your stories are so inspiring. I can’t wait to update my vision board for 2010!
Kris, I’ve tried to contact you several times– I’d love to share a free chapter of my best-selling book called THE VISION BOARD with you and your readers– it’s on visioning and will be helpful as a first step in creating a Vision board! http;//tinyurl.com/seeinsidebook
I’m gonna do it!!
Wow, that’s a very cool idea! I have a spare cork board laying around even!
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