I was talking with my daughter the other day about the childhood days of make-believe. She has three children who I often get the privilege to watch over and their imagination is contagious. If only we could keep a tenth of this ability to create imaginary worlds as adults.
Then I asked myself, "Why not?" especially when 'reality' is far too often less than pleasant. I have always been a believer in the power of positive thinking having read Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich in my early twenties. Then life took over and for many years I took a voluntary vow of poverty. In reality it was more a choice to spend my life helping others while not spending time chasing money.
Psychiatry tells us that spending too much time living in an imaginary world is not healthy.
One parent asked a psychiatrist if the imaginary friends her three-year old created was something to worry about. The response she got went like this, "Daydreaming or imaginary world can help a child overcome sad feelings or time when they feel lonely. While the kids usually know that this imagination is not real it might be difficult to separate true world experiences and stories of their rich imaginations... There is no need to worry about it. These kids will not become psychotic or obsessive later in life". You can almost hear the mother's sigh and yet I wonder if we are missing something.
As we grow into adulthood our creative nature, our imagination is overshadowed by harsh reality. Things like responsibility, achievement, competition, failure, hardship, disappointment and all that 'real' life throws at us has a way of beating the child out of us.
I wonder if we have missed something really powerful by giving up our imaginary world. The good old days of 'make believe' have some lessons to teach us even as adults. There is a truth hidden just beneath the surface of seeing the world through the eyes of a child.
Back to my conversation with my daughter she said something that I heard from her before. When describing a certain unbelievable circumstance she faced recently she described it like 'having an out-of-body experience'. I thought about that for a while and concluded that this is the secret to dealing with 'reality' when it is not what your expected.
The very essence of humanity that sets it apart from the rest of the animal kingdom is the ability to think. This ability has created a world that has shrunk to the point that the famous song commissioned by Walt Disney, 'It's a small world after all', is now a reality. As we create our world it has an uncanny way of turning against the creator.
What we wish for using our imagination does not always come true.
Our hopes and dreams to create a reality that fills us with joy and happiness often ends in disappointment.
If it is true as the ancient spiritual guru said; "As a man thinks in his heart - so is he", then what has gone wrong?
I have never been one to follow the teaching of mysticism, psychic abilities, meditation or anything that did not make common sense. So when it comes to using my imagination to create a new reality it has taken some time to realize what power lies in positive thoughts.
If it true that there is more to humanity than just the physical realm or 'reality' we see, touch, feel, taste and smell. And if it is also true that we can create our life we want. And if it is also true that how we handle 'reality' determines our happiness - then what is the secret to creating the life I really want?
My search has led me to believe three things;
- Our beliefs tend to dictate our reality - this means that if I see the world as a wonderful place I will align my thoughts with all that is 'wonderful' in the world.
- Our creative imagination of childhood has not disappeared and when revived can create a whole new world - Walt Disney is a prime example as he said; ""I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."
- Our world can be whatever we want if we put our belief and imagination into action every day - Michael Neill in his book, 'Supercoach', writes about our daily action, "Because when you act as if your experience is created from the outside in, you will experience yourself as a victim. The minute you take responsibility for creating your experience from the inside out, you reclaim your position as the creator of your life."
Now I want to challenge you to look at your life in a different way - with your imagination. From this moment forward start acting upon your internal vision of the life you want to create. Take small steps at first and build up your courage - you can do it.
Remember - The Best Is Yet To Come!
About this Author
Larry Scarbeau is a Life Mastery Coach working with people from every walk of life. He is a public speaker, Ezine expert author and certified coach practioner. Visit his site and see if you qualify for a Free Consultation to start creating your new future.
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