Take-Home Message: One thing that separates those who change the world from those who simply watch: A Vision.
vi·sion·ar·y
adjective
- a person with original ideas about what the future will or could be like.
Have you ever observed someone describe a deeply-held belief? What did they look like doing so? What did you look like listening to them? How did it make you feel?
The ones who impacted me most profoundly made me feel something powerful awaken inside. They made me believe. If for but a moment, I shared their vision too.
They paint with their words. Not simple pictures, but beautiful, distant landscapes, and unfathomed horizons with brilliant, vivid clarity, these artists take hold of their brushes and gently, masterfully apply stoke after stroke with seamless effort, offering us an invitation to imagine.
These artisans paint us, too. With original insight, they carefully incorporate into their masterpieces our deepest fears and the sullen images of every shattered dream we ever encountered. Then, surreptitiously, the skilled hands of a genius fast at work replaces those pagan images of ourselves with bright, beautifully-colored, novel self-esteem and faith.
They possess a fierce, yet compassionate presence. They intimidate anyone unwilling to share in the enjoyment or embodiment of their vision. Simultaneously, they welcome into their presence all who share it.
Many mock them for their baffling distortion of reality. Yet, if at all moved by detractors, they become only more driven. They exist relentlessly for the pursuit of higher ideals. In the face of defeat, they embolden their vision all the more menacingly. They refuse to die until winning many victories for mankind.
Their beliefs do not equate to fantasies. Not to them. They see what we do not, they see that which exists beyond the veil. They hold confidence in both ideas and their ability to cultivate these into realities.
Others perceive them as discontent with each new creation. They simply see more yet to be done in their time. Others dub them profit-mongers, heretics, and cheats. These accusations distract them not. Their vision propels them toward a society of more apt standards of valuation for a man’s worth.
They envision the world as it could be and as it will be. They fret not of the present. To them, the future remains static, and we must approach it boldly.
They do not ask what. Rather, they contemplate why? They do not question how. They wonder when.
They live today to create tomorrow. We call them visionaries.
Hi Mitchell, nice to meet you on wordpress. I just read this post and really love your moment here to reflect on what is the meaning of a visionary. The idea that their minds are burning with a passion is so true.
The do not ask what, Rather, they contemplate why? — just love this. Thanks for sharing.