When I began work on this
Virtue, I had just watched Grove of the Midnight Flame announce live on Google+
that they had purchased 94 acres of property. That prompted
me to reread the article written by Rev. Isaac Bonewits that laid out the vision for
ADF. What was the difference between a vision and a
goal, I asked myself? A vision, in my
definition encompasses the entire big picture, whereas a goal or goals are the
steps we take to get there—the individual pieces that eventually complete the
puzzle. I ventured online to get add some clarification to my own thoughts:
“When
you have a vision, you know where you want to go and you can see your next
steps – but you won’t be able to see the entire path.
Vision is not about the path, it’s about
the destination. As you take each step, the next step becomes clear as long as
you stay focused on your vision.
Goals are important.
Goals
quantify and define the steps you must take. They are the signposts that let
you know you are moving in the right direction. They are measurable and answer
questions like When?
and How much? (rather
than Why? which
is addressed by your vision).” (http://seapointcenter.com/vision-and-goals)
I have my own vision as it
pertains to my membership in ADF. A
vision that includes one day expanding beyond my solitary practice and
worshiping with other members. After I complete the Dedicant Path,
I want to start a Protogrove on my 13-acre property in the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan (as of now, I’m the only member in a 16,452 square mile area with a
population of over 300,000 people--but what better movie quote is there than, "If you build it, they will come?" to help motivate a gal?) I have
already started work on building a Sacred Grove/Nemeton in my beautiful woods. There are steps I have to take and goals I
need to accomplish before my vision can become a reality.
