Soulful Sundays: Vision

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." --Helen Keller

There is no distinction in the human brain between visualizing an activity and actually doing it--the neural pathways engaged are identical. We so often underestimate the power that our attention has over shaping our reality. What gets tended to grows, and what gets forgotten withers. But our consciousness is like a pen light in a vast cave, only able to illuminate small patches at a time and always in danger of dying out. We can't rely on attention alone to save us from the darkness. We need something more expansive to show the way. We must cultivate intent. We must develop our vision.

Vision is the coordination of our attention--our focus--with our intention--our motivation. When the two are aligned to a coherent system of value, the result is an impeccability that is beyond words. The artistic masterpiece, the perfect game, the infallible performance, the right words. These are all manifestations of vision at its clearest. Smooth, effortless, at ease. Yet, what often goes unseen are the decades of practice necessary to sharpen the mind. Countless reps all executed to bring the exalted down to the level of the ordinary.

With great vision comes great responsibility. Many a visionary has become lost in the shadow of their own arrogance. Having vision does not give us the right to refuse to see. We must strive to know the truth in all things, not just the version that serves us. When we abandon this calling, then we might as well be blind. By returning to the source of all knowing--a posture of humble curiosity--then we restore our ability to see the way clearly. We regain our capacity to act.