# Create a Wellness Vision Take out a piece of paper and pen, or open a document on your computer or mobile device, and spend 5-10 minutes creating your personalized vision with the questions below. The more clear, purposeful, and powerful your answers, the more they will help motivate you. Take your time answering them, and revise them as often as you like. ## What do you dream of doing or becoming in your life? Dream big, far, and wide. I’m not going to say “be a writer” because that’s literally always the first thing that comes to mind when people ask that, and I’m ashamed of having failed to fully feel like I’ve done that or even really fully tried to do that, and so I always qualify it or act like it’s just a spontaneous, foolish easy answer, when in fact it really is the answer. What exactly it means can, yes, have many different manifestations; I know it’s not the 1920’s in fucking Paris or whatever anymore, but still. “Be a writer.” In addition to that, I want to be happily, openly gay (again, doesn’t necessarily mean what I learned to expect it has to mean) and just be someone who has people in his life and who does interesting and fun stuff and who radiates outward and sends positivity to the people and creatures and environment around him. ## What do you value most in life? How does your well-being connect with those values? I value curiosity, absurdity, storytelling, connection with other humans and animals, specifically my family and friends, and learning and being aware of as much of life, the universe, and everything as I can before I fucking kick it. My well-being connects with all of that because there’s only so much energy to go around, and if I’m stuck at my desk feeling like a sow, I won’t be as likely to make any more discoveries or connections. Serendipity is everything. You can’t have a happy accident if you’re paralyzed by boredom, fear, perfectionism, or just plain old feeling like shit. ## What would you like your health to look like in six months? I would like to have less bitch tits, less spare tire, stronger arms, and just more energy and vivacity. I would like to be less terrified by the weird shit my heart and lungs seem to be doing. ## What behaviors and actions do you want to see yourself doing consistently? Walking, biking, maybe swimming or running, something that involves strength/resistance, and interacting socially with people and making and keeping friends. ## How do you want to feel each day and show up for the people in your life? I want to feel not afraid to dance or sing or act foolish or wear a face mask or dress in something besides jeans and a t-shirt or say “cute” or “adorable” but still drive a truck and say “fuckin” this and that and like dirt and guns as well as my English bone china coffee cup with flower print. I want to feel up for whatever. I want to feel like I can say yes because I don’t have to say no because I feel too fucking bloated and exhausted. I want to show up for the people in my life by saying yes to fun and goofy and spontaneous stuff. I want to not be a burden before I even get to fucking retire. I want to not be fucking broke as fuck. # Write a statement Review what you wrote down and create a one-to-three-sentence statement that summarizes who you want to become and what you want to accomplish in your first six months of Real Appeal. There is no right or wrong way to craft a vision — be creative and make it your own. Write in the present tense, as if your dreams and visions are reality. For example, instead of saying, “I want to walk three miles daily.” say, “I walk three miles daily.” Include others impacted by your health and well-being in your statement. I am a trim, toned, energetic, middle-aged gay writer who has grown as he aged. I take care of myself so that I can share energy and love with those around me. Like Ivy, I make other people’s magic stronger, and I’ll keep it up as long as I can, one way or another.