Do you have a clear vision for 2020? Are you hoping to see change and growth? Do you have big goals, dreams, and plans, or are you easing slowly into the year, regrouping and waiting for a revelation?
Personally, I’m taking some time to honestly assess, looking at things I didn’t accomplish last year, and attempting to determine why, but also, taking steps to correct vision and limit distractions, thus maintaining forward motion.
Following are steps toward more perfect vision in 2020:
Block Out Distractions
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see the future clearly and know what was going to happen next? While knowing what lies ahead might sound great, would it really be good? If we knew, in advance, the difficulties and challenges we will encounter, anxiety levels could increase exponentially and we’d be tempted to try to subvert what was about to happen.
Not knowing all the details about the future is actually beneficial to clearer vision. Daily seeking wisdom and direction may seem limiting, but, in truth, helps keep focus straight ahead. While it’s good to plan and project goals for the future, worrying about the implementation and details brings stress. Often, creativity is squelched and motivation halted by worrying about things that never occur. Taking each day as it comes creates peace and sharpens focus.
In order to keep horses from being distracted by motion in their peripheral vision and maintain forward focus, they are fitted with blinders, small flaps attached to the bridle. While blinders limit vision to some extent, they keep the horses’ eyes focused on the path ahead.
Perhaps blinders in the form of limiting distractions could improve your vision this year. Maybe you need to put on blinders to those who criticize, discourage, or frustrate you. Or you may need blinders to prevent following methods or teachings that send you on rabbit trails and circumvent your moving forward with the best plans and purposes God has for you. Take time to determine if opportunities move you forward, slow you down, or derail 20-20 vision.
Engage in Investigative Analysis
“20/20” is an investigative television news magazine. Reporters look beyond the what appears to be in order to discover the hidden truths behind stories.
To make a fresh start this year, and see clearly what holds you back, dig deeper within yourself to see what is blocking or distorting your vision.
Most of us are adept at overlooking the underlying problems that cloud vision and prevent forward motion. But now is a good time to do some transparent self-analysis. If you aren’t moving forward in certain areas of your life, why? Be honest with yourself. Are lack of discipline, fear, laziness, demand-resistance, or excuses sabotaging you? Is secret self-indulgence shackling you in some area of your life? Acknowledging issues is the first step toward course correction, progress, and a year in 20-20 focus.
Embrace Vision Correction
Few people maintain perfect vision throughout their lives without help in the form of corrective lenses or surgery. Yet, some consistently refuse the help, although vision enhancement and correction are available. They make excuses for vision impairment: the room is too dark, the type is too small, their eyes are dry, or someone or something blocked their vision.
In a similar fashion, not many of us have the ability to see ourselves clearly without some perception correction.
When you have an eye exam, the doctor tries different lens strengths and asks for your input on which is better – this lens or that lens. Sometimes the distinction is small, but with several flicks back and forth, you can tell a subtle difference that provides greater clarity.
Often those who are physically blind experience a heightening of other senses. Hearing is more acute. Touch is more sensitive. While other enhanced senses help to compensate for loss of sight, no blind person would turn down the opportunity to see fully, if offered that option.
What in your life needs vision correction? Are you blind to your own faults? An abrasive personality and unforgiving spirit erode relationships. Blaming and excuses discount responsibility. Pretending you are self-reliant and in control is a form of spiritual blindness.
This year, 2020, determine what you need to do to have more perfect vision, professionally, personally, and spiritually. Do the hard task of self-examination, course correction, and vision enhancement to provide insight, wisdom, and 20-20 focus for this new year and decade.
“Without prophetic vision people run wild, but blessed are those who follow God’s teachings.” Proverbs 29:18 GW
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving beyond difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House) and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
To receive Candy’s blog, Forward Motion, via email, go to https://candyarrington.com/blog/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.