The greatness of our lives is often dependent on our vision - our concept of the future and how it could be, our understanding of the present and all that it encompasses and our knowledge of the past and the lessons it has to teach. Narrowness of vision in any of these aspects crimps and constrains the limits of our greatness, preventing us from developing fully. Too much attention to or dependence on any one direction of vision deadens our sense of the others, distorting our growth and encouraging complacency in the face of danger. It takes a fine balance of vision in all three directions and equilibrium of focus to create and maintain a great life. But what good is vision? How do we use it for our and others' good?

Vision of the past allows us to avoid repeating the mistakes of our forbearers and to use what we know of their actions and reasoning to build upon our strengths and shore up our weaknesses as a people. It allows us an infinite library of history from which to draw wisdom and through which to experience the wisdom of others. Our past is our tool kit, providing us with the items we need to create a strong present and an inspiring future.

Vision of the present reminds of how much work remains to be done and yet provides us with a place to rest and relax. It gives us an immediate focus and allows us to test the strengths of our assumptions of the past and it's gifts. It provides us with a home and a refuge from the mistakes of our history and the fears of our future. The present is our hearth - it is where we are, and where we always will be. Therefore, it behooves us to know it well and not narrow our sites to our immediate surroundings, lest we foul our nests too deeply to remain.

Vision of our future provides us with a space to play, to dream and to hope. It is our scratchpad for ideas and potentialities. We can project an infinite number of possibilities on it to see how they play out, while not investing in any of them prematurely or recklessly. It holds both our inspiration and our fears, for we can't always know the best route to get to where we want to be and we can't always avoid the snares and pitfalls of poor planning or mistaken understanding. The future is our map, and an open and unattached mind is required to view it, so that we do not become reliant on one path or one choice to lead us into it and to the destination of our choosing.

Proper tools, the safety of home and a wide-ranging and intriguing map of our journey to come are all vital instruments in creating a great life. The cultivation of a clear and far-seeing vision in all three directions is the foundation for a life well lived and a soul well fed.