Vision Boards

[magdelaine]

I’ve come across the idea of creating a “vision board” to help you achieve your goals whatever they may be. It’s an idea that comes from belief in the Law of Attraction that was popularized in books like “The Secret” and lots of other new age-y sources. I’ve been down the new age road and I’m well aware that it leads to some very demonic places and voices and I’ve avoided “The Secret” like the plague.

However, I do think that there may be some truth and real value to vision boards; although not because of any Law of Attraction in the universal sense because I believe that is complete bunk. Is it possible it can function as an unconscious reminder of your goals and even prayers that will help guide your actions at their most fundamental level? I think that just the placebo effect of medication shows that belief in someone can have a very powerful and actual healing effect, however I know this isn’t a *supernatural *power at the beck and call of human beings.

Can a Catholic use a vision board in good faith without falling into false beliefs about what it actually is? Anyone out there create a vision board for yourself, grounded in Jesus Christ?

 

[GEddie]

What is a vision board? Never heard of the things.

 

[JNdoum]

I may be a bit off here, but it sounds a lot like a bulletin board covered with post-it-notes or something. If it is something along those lines, I doubt it would be bad, so long as you had a good mindset about it, and I’m almost positive that a good mindset is the only thing you have about this. I’d say go for it, it sounds helpful.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Why don’t you include God and the Communion of Saints in your “vision board?” Put up prayer cards to remind you to pray to your patron saint, your guardian angel, etc.

No reason we can’t use the same types of tools for our own benefit!

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Why don’t you include God and the Communion of Saints in your “vision board?” Put up prayer cards to remind you to pray to your patron saint, your guardian angel, etc.

No reason we can’t use the same types of tools for our own benefit!

Just so you know, the purpose of a vision goal is to remind you of a goal. Hence, the word ‘vision’. It’s about helping you stay focused on what you want to achieve. I can see how it can be used for Catholic purposes but what you’re describing isn’t exactly a vision board. A better suggestion would be putting up things you want to achieve as a Catholic like being more virtuous, help out in works of charity, devote a certain prayer habit, that kind of thing.

 

[AthenaC]

Having watched the movie “The Secret,” and having shuddered both at the gross misrepresentations of quantum mechanics and also at all the points where they take quotes from famous successful people out of context to imply that these people know “The Secret” …

I think there is quite a bit in “The Secret” that is right for the wrong reasons. I know it talks a lot about focusing the power of your thoughts on the universe and what-not, and there are a lot of people in the movie that experienced some fantastic transformations through the power of thought. However, it’s not because the universe responded and magically granted you what you want; it’s because YOU transformed YOURSELF through relentless focus and dedication.

Side note: We actually have measured the power of thought to investigate the possibility of telekinesis … and the results were not promising. Suffice it to say, there is NO WAY the universe is responding to the power of your thoughts. But I suspect I don’t need to tell any of you guys this.

So anyway, to answer your question - I think there’s nothing wrong with a vision board as long as you understand exactly what it is (keeping yourself focused on your goals) and exactly what it is not (asking the universe to grant you stuff).

 

[NiceMimi]

I think the Vision Board works, and like anything else it can be used for good or bad. Like wine, you can drink it in moderation and help your cholesterol or you can drink it like it is going out of style and end up in AA. You choose the road.

I’ve used the Vision Board (on the wall and a photo album) to acquire goals (jobs, furniture, good habits, etc.) It does work, but (again) be mindful of what you ask for.

There are Biblical references to keeping goals in mind, and God helping you. It all has to do with faith, etc. One quote that I just saw recently was this:

“…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead”
(Philippians 3:13)

 

[JJC3]

I have created a vision board and put Mother Mary in the forefront and pictures/phrases around it. I believe that it helps you keep your goals in clear line of sight. There is nothing wrong with it. There are some Conservative Catholics who may say it is wrong to focus on anything other than serving God. This is what I expect from organized religion trying to fear you into obedience.