This story originally appeared in Inspired Home magazine January/February 2019.
At the end of 2017, I came across a friend’s Facebook post with a video attached, so I watched it. I was quickly immersed in some kind of dream statement video about what she expected in 2018.
I did a little digging and discovered that our mutual friend Dawn Trautman had made her a Mindset Movie. I was intrigued, so I contacted her.
I both believe in and absolutely don’t believe in the power of sending out hopes and dreams that come back to you and, conversely, sending out fears and anxiety that can also come back to you from the Universe. It feels like such a privileged thing to articulate because my success is often no more earned or merited than another woman who develops terminal cancer, loses a child to addiction, has her marriage fall apart, etc. Saying all of that, however, I am attracted to the idea of putting out what I want to receive and seeing if it comes my way.
So Dawn and I got to work. I filled out the questionnaire in December, and I watched my first draft on a train in Norway between Oslo to Halden last January. The irony of having a section talking about seeing more of the world wasn’t lost on me.
I can honestly say that much of what I put out there came true last year or wonderfully continued to increase.
My video focused on extending what 2017 had already started in my life: peace and joy with my family, more travel, toned arms, increased spirituality and more opportunities to advocate about why the arts are so important.
I don’t believe that those things wouldn’t have come true without the movie, but it’s a reminder to me to be grateful for the things that can start to feel rote or insignificant and to celebrate those wins, even the small ones. Too often, goodness comes our way, and we fail to acknowledge it.
One thing I love about these movies is that they can focus on anything you want. Are you struggling with your relationships, your health, your job, your debt, your spirituality? Then focus on that.
Think about your own desires and write them down, create a vision board or contact Dawn for a Mindset Movie of your own. I have loved seeing and celebrating my own progress through this 2-minute movie. I think you will, too. Here’s to a positive and successful 2019 for us all!
