Being visionary isn't just for a few people who have leadership or charismatic qualities. It's not reserved for the eloquent nor those only in positions of authority. Having vision is essential to where you're heading in life and if you really have self-doubt in this regard, don't worry. Whilst not being visionary yet, you can tap on to the grace of others who are visionary, who have purpose, and who seem to know what they're doing and where they're going. Because just like various skills that we learn over time, having vision in your life is often caught rather than taught.
Having vision is often caught rather than taught.
So what is "vision"? Well according to the dictonary it says,
1-
thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom.
"a visionary leader"
2-
relating to or having the ability to see visions in a dream or trance, or as a supernatural apparition.
"visionary dreams"
Defined broadly, a visionary is one who can envision the future. - Wikipedia
Seems like in most definitions, being visionary has the aspect of seeing the future. In that train of thought, here are 3 things I've learned on what it means to be visionary and prophetic.
1. Foresight
Having foresight is the ability to somewhat predict what will happen or be needed in a particular situation that has yet to come. It's the ability to recognize and prepare for the numerous outcomes a particular decision can take you. This sounds really celestial or a state that's difficult to achieve but this ability is in all of us.
Maybe it's something that we're not taught growing up or not something we are often conscious of when we're making decisions. But whether in small matters or major decisions we make in life, foresight is a gift that is our portion as the human race for the taking!
Foresight is seeing what could be.
2. Insight
Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect within a specific context. People with insight aren't just people with a lot of knowledge, they know how to use their know how and apply them specifically into a situation. These are people with practical knowledge or in other words, wisdom.
A lot of people can spot the problems, but only a person with insight can make a difference to a problem.
I feel that now more than ever that having insight should be something we desire to have because there are so many problems we're facing in the world we live in. So many are just shouting about the problems and stating what is fair or unfair to them but few are actually affecting change. Be different. Be different with a purpose.
Insight is seeing "what" REALLY is.
Be purposefully different!
3. Oversight
Probably the most important of the 3, oversight is the ability to have the big picture in mind. Someone with oversight isn't always caught up when he/she can't see the future (having foresight) or don't know how to recognize a problem and fix it (having insight), but is often calm, collected and understand the importance of the waiting, patience and longevity!
They're not hasty to make changes in their lives just because they are in an uncomfortable or challenging place in their lives. Having oversight is being steadfast while being in a environment of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It is recognizing the value of the process.
So even when they are personally living in uncertainty and don't seem to be going anywhere in life, they're happy. Whilst they don't seem visionary, they are in fact visionary! VERY I might add.
Oversight is seeing what has been, is and will be.
You'll notice that people around you and even yourself have these 3 qualities that I've mentioned. Some more one aspect than the other. I believe this is so so that we remain humble and that having relationship with people is essential for actually having vision in your life. We always see better when we have people around us doing life together.
In military combat, soldiers almost never enter a battle alone. They always go in squads, in platoons. If it's a planned attack, it's always a group of soldiers that go together to execute an assault. Why? Simply because there are more eyes, more hands , more firepower, and in areas where you can't protect yourself, your comrade can do it for you. The range of where your eyes can't cover, your friend will.
So just like soldiers, if we're gonna thrive in life, we're gonna have to do it together!
Never go into battle alone.
What WILL hinder you making history?
For the most, we often do good works and want to change the world because we're affected by something bad. It could be something we see or it could be something we ourselves have experienced, often the latter. Like if we were bullied in school when we were young, we want to be an advocate in the subject of school bullying. In hurt, in pain, in anger we hope to combat evil. It's great that you're reaching out to those in need but if you're still hurt, how can you help those who are hurt?
Hurt people hurt people. Free people free people. - thoughts by Bill Johnson
I'd like to challenge you to fight for what you're fighting for beyond the motivation or hurt and pain. Let not what caused us pain be the motivation for our purpose. Instead let's find assurance in love and in love the expression of it.
I hope that after reading this post, your awareness in regards to being visionary or having vision in your life is made clearer. Most of all, I hope this read brings you more freedom in your life and encourages you in your great adventure called life. Bless ya and have a great week ahead!
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