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August 2010 Newsletter Practice Page
“Some things have to be believed to be seen.” —Ralph Hodgson Here’s something to do: a perfect summer project using magazines, scissors, and glue. It’s also something to think about, write about, talk about, and wonder about. Vision Board / Collage This classic experiment has a number of names and is suggested for a variety of purposes. Most often, it is used to create an intentional, visual representation of what you desire. This includes material things like a red sports car, a laptop computer, a new puppy, a romantic partner, a remodeled kitchen. These are represented by images cut from magazines. Less tangible, desired things like confidence, adventure, freedom, success, creativity, spirituality might be represented by words alone or by a combination of images and words. When creating a collage in this way, you search for specific pictures and words to represent what you already know you desire in your future. I like to suggest a variation on this experiment as a means of discovery. Instead of picturing what you already know, you create a collage that is guided by deeper inner knowing. This is not a better way to do the experiment, it is simply a way of bringing less accessible truths to the surface to be worked with. supplies needed: a stack of magazines Guidelines: Collecting, Assembling, Processing Give yourself enough time and space to enter into the project and enjoy it. If it works better for you, focus on collecting, assembling, and processing on three different days. Collecting means sitting with your stack of magazines and rather mindlessly flipping through the pages. You are paying attention to anything that captures your attention and ripping out those pages for later use. What you notice and rip out will likely be a mix of pictures and words. Remember, in this version of the experiment, you are not hunting for specific things to include in your collage. As a result, your collection might contain things you would not have expected. Assembling means beginning to arrange the images and words you have collected on the blank vision board. I suggest trying out arrangements without glue first; then when things start to click into place visually, glue them to the board. You can use scissors to cut out just the parts you want, or tear them out if you prefer. You can also overlap things and completely cover the board, or place things on the board with the background visible in places. There is no standard of organization, creativity, or quality for you to achieve. Processing means sitting for awhile with your finished collage and taking it all in. You might think of this as beginning to read your collage, or listening to the messages within your collage—messages eager to reveal themselves to you. Consider the following:
Take a tour: Look at every single image and word you glued onto your collage. As you tour your collage, it’s possible you’ll spot a theme or pattern you didn’t notice before. Take good notes: Here’s where you stop the doing, in order to really begin listening. Allow your collage to speak to you in your imagination. Listen closely and write down everything you hear. Some people tend to hear in the first person, I need..... Others, in the second person, You need.... Examples: I need to spend more time in nature. I love to be involved with children learning. I want more orange and yellow in my life. I have funny stories to tell. I want to laugh out loud with others. Try not to censor anything, no matter how peculiar it might initially sound. Working Title: Look at your collage again as you review your notes. If you had to select one overarching theme or message, what would that be? Examples: You're as ready as you'll ever be. You were born to travel. Inspiring people is what you always want to do. Nothing is holding you back now. I suggest finding a place to display your collage where you can see and enjoy it often. If you feel shy about others seeing it, pick a private or less visible location. Challenge: In your collage, see what you know. Believe it. See it in your life. If you love resources, here are some you might enjoy looking at. Keep in mind, it's more important to make and process your own collage than it is to read everything others have to say about them. The Vision Board:
The Secret To An Extraordinary Life I'm mentioning this book, but not recommending it. The example vision boards feel uninspired compared to most I've seen, but that doesn't mean you won't find some useful ideas.
Laurie Mattila
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phone: 651-644-7766 • mail@LaurieMattila.com • www.LaurieMattila.com Bless the time spent here… seeking listening dreaming.
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