A Vision for Your Relationship – A Picture of Your Preferred Life Together
Do you have a clear vision for your life and your relationship? A vision is a picture of what could be, and it is not just about the external qualities of your preferred life and relationship. It is also a picture of the preferred way that you want to live with your partner and relate to them. For example, who do you want to be as a couple? How do you want to interact with life and with the people in your life, especially the person who is your life partner?
When you don’t have a vision, you are a captive to your constant doubts and fears. As a result, it isn’t easy to know the trajectory of your
relationship and if that future is a fit for you.
Here are just a few of the benefits of a vision statement for your relationship:
- Makes decision-making easier
- Helps determine long- and short-term goals
- Motivates through tough times
- Aids in maintaining balance in all areas of life
- Makes it easier to enlist the support of others
In developing your relationship vision and writing out a vision statement, here are some things to consider.
- Your values – What is important to you and your spouse. What are your shared values that you want to affirm and live in alignment with?
- Your purpose – What is the unique contribution that the two of you can make to the world, and how will you make it?
- Your location and lifestyle – Where and how do you want to live?
- Community – What do you want your social interaction to look like?
- Anything else that is in your heart and mind
Once you have thought about these things, go ahead and take a stab at it! Each of you get a pen and paper and begin to write, and don’t censor your thoughts. Dream big! It is often helpful to use a journal or notebook to preserve your thoughts and refer back to them.
Discuss what you have written, and then formulate a vision statement for your relationship that uniquely reflects the two of you. You can modify it and add to it from time to time. If you get stuck, search online for “marriage vision statements.” Make it a reflection of your hopes and dreams. Let it be a work in progress. It will be rewarding someday to experience the fulfillment of that vision. My guess is that it will be even greater than you imagined!
Big Question
Now that you have clarified your vision statement, ask yourself this question, “Are we living in such a way that supports the fulfillment of our vision? If not, what changes do we need to make to get back on track?