Myopia

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Without a vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). This message is succinct, yet you can glean a sense of urgency, a call to action, and a dire consequence of inaction from two clauses, six words, twenty-nine letters. The cause-effect relationship is clear. If there is no vision, there will be no followers — no one to carry your hopes, dreams, and plans into the future.

Some of the best ideas are conceived and birthed from some of the brightest minds. Though these hopes and dreams born out of a perceived need are brilliant, their light is quickly extinguished if there is no light bearer, if there is no road map.

I’m no ophthalmologist, but I can recognize someone suffering from myopia just from spending a little time observing him or her. The good news is that myopia is treatable. There’s hope. Seek wise counsel in the form of a coach or mentor. In fact, pray for it and watch what happens. Remember, iron sharpens iron. After securing a mentor, the next step is clear.

Go to the people and tell them your vision. Allow them to use their talents, abilities, and gifts (TAGs) to help you create a road map. Follow the road map, and make a few adjustments along the way. Rest when you’re weary. Fuel up when you’re empty. Move when you’re tired of sitting still. Never get too comfortable.

I met a man years ago who was called a visionary. He had great ideas, dreams, and hopes for a better educational experience for students in his school. He worked for years to bring his dreams to life, but as soon as they were conceived, they withered and died  almost immediately. He, like some leaders, suffered from myopia. Those around him who saw no success come of those dreams and hopes lost respect for this dreamer because he was shortsighted. Having a vision without a plan is like having a picture of a magnificent, 12-layer cake and all the ingredients but no recipe. This leader needed a recipe. Because he lacked a plan and chose to work alone, he soon burned out and left the profession.

A new leader took his place years later, and though he wasn’t a visionary when he took on this role, he has a recipe for success, and he found a teacher on his staff who had been a project manager. He took his predecessor’s vision, created a road map, articulated the timeline, and the people were intrigued. For once in their lives, they had hope. Over time, all of the dreams of the visionary were born of this surrogate — the new leader who carried the hopes and dreams of a brighter future and shared the excitement of a bright future with the people. They became excited — ignited in fact! In this case, the cure for myopia was a simple recipe — equal parts vision (to know your goal), a plan (to know the steps), people (to execute the plan), and a little fire (to light the way).

Note – If this post speaks to you, scroll down to the comments and share your experience with me. Don’t forget to like, share, or reblog. May blessings abound! <3

Published by Principle Michelle

Principle Michelle is a middle school leader, master teacher, and a Certified Parent Empowerment Coach. She currently resides in the Washington D.C. area where she serves kids and their parents who have entrusted her to help them navigate the middle years. Principle Michelle loves "the middle" -- it's the place where the rubber meets the road. Kids in middle school are at a pivotal stage in their lives, and they can go left or right. Because this is where God positioned her, she gets to direct and guide middle school students in the way that they should go. She also enjoys helping families build strong biblical foundations by offering them strategies, resources, and tools to help them to train up their kids and to build the life God intended.

22 Thoughts

  1. This is just brilliant…so relatable and wise and needed…so very helpful and illuminating…thank you for sharing, for using your gifts to inspire dreamers to engage in the collaborative relationships that make all the difference 🙂

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  3. Excellent points here, Michelle. Plans are so important. We can have all the lofty ideas and goals in the world, but if we can’t break them down into achievable steps nothing will ever happen. I think that’s why God stresses the importance of community; we need the dreamers and we need the nitty-gritty people. When we come together, it’s a beautiful thing.

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  4. Wise counsel here. One of the pastors at my church once told me that, if you can accomplish your vision alone, it’s probably not from God. When He gives you a big vision, it will involve other people to make it work.

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