Create a New Vision for 2021

“THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

2020 has been a challenging year. The good news is that you made it! As we come to the end of this year, we begin to dream a new dream for 2021 and beyond. Creating new dreams might be challenging in light of it all. Thankfully, we have a yearly tradition of honoring our past and looking toward our future. These traditions can help us now more than ever. Traditions can be very helpful in this way.

This new year is an opportunity to dream a new dream. Having a vision for your life can be profound. Often, our dreams are personal launching pads into making something real. But it all starts with a vision.

I once met a person who didn’t dream of new things. They were living in a rather rough cycle of poverty, but they were also extremely capable — even thriving within their world. I remember seeing them talk about a new dream: having a place to call home. It was a remarkable moment to watch this person go from surviving into having a vision for their future. They got that apartment too, by the way.

Having a vision for your life is a powerful experience. It is healing for everyone, voyeurs and participants alike. Consider Niecy Nash, Cardi B, and Young Ezee & Natalie. Their posts on Instagram are a celebration and an example of what is possible. They are living the dream they envisioned. Sometimes seeing what others create in their lives can inspire us to dream beyond our wildest dreams. They all inspire me to dream BIG.

Having something new starts with having a vision. When I was in my twenties, I took a chance on my dreams. For me, it was expressing my gender in a new way. I was a queer tomboy who wanted to express my femininity. I hadn’t always been a tomboy in this way. More on that story here. I simply knew there was something for me to have in taking this next step.

I trusted my dream and dove in. My life turned around. I had things I struggled with having before: relationships, friendships, a queer community, being seen, and even sex. I didn’t know my vision for my life was the very thing I was looking for.

It all starts with a vision.

“IF YOU DON’T HAVE A VISION, YOU’RE GOING TO BE STUCK IN WHAT YOU KNOW. AND THE ONLY THING YOU KNOW IS WHAT YOU’VE ALREADY SEEN.” — IYANLA VANZANT

Your very life is the accumulation of your past dreams. You once dreamed of living this life. You are living the dream. Just as well, you are the living vision of those who have passed. Your ancestors. They once dreamed of you. Your vision of the future matters. Create a new vision for 2021 and beyond.