"Your imagination is your preview to life's coming attractions
~Albert Einstein
AS CHILDREN WE FREELY USED OUR IMAGINATION
Do you remember finding animals in the clouds or seeing yourself as a fireman, veterinarian, doctor or ballerina? Then, at some point, often when we started our formal education most of us were told to stop dreaming and pay attention to facts and learning our ABC's.
I recall making mud pies and riding my bike all around our neighborhood imagining that I could be the one to find the cure for cancer. My pies were filled with secret ingredients. There was a neighbor who would scream at her children quite frequently. I avoided her and felt bad for her 3 children who I played with frequently. One day she was admitted to the hospital and when she came home her head was shaved. I learned that she had a brain tumor. I worked harder on my mud pies determined to help her. I was 7 years old at the time. When I told my mom what I was doing she thought it was sweet but next said something I will not forget. "You need to stop dreaming and do your school work. Real doctors can't even find a cure for cancer." I felt small and silly in that moment. Even though in a big sense she was right, very little information was known about cancer in 1960, what occurred in me was a normal response that many school age children experience. I still made mud pies for awhile longer, but no longer felt that I could find a cure for cancer. After all, my mom was a powerful role model and I believed her. It was the beginning of shifting from my right brain and adapting to left brain thinking. Over the years I forgot about my cancer cure dream and used my imagination less often or incorrectly.
HOW WE OFTEN USE THE IMAGINATION
Although this is not breaking news, we often use our imagination to envision things we do not want to happen. The importance of knowing this however, and consciously choosing to use our imagination differently is huge. For instance, let's imagine your teenage daughter is not home yet and it's past her curfew. You imagine a car accident or something gone array. Or imagine that on the way to give an important presentation you begin to think about what might go wrong such as forgetting what you've come to talk about or people leaving during your talk.
Misuse of this gift is especially wasteful when we realize that we can actually create that which we fear by predominately and consistently dwelling on it. This is not to say that the exact thing we imagine will happen but something less than beneficial may occur.
MAKE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE; BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT
At the Smithsonian Museum if you go to the Thomas Edison exhibit you can see a page of his diary where he stated his intention to create a new system of illumination. At that time people still used oil lamps. Edison declared this and delivered, in spite of many failed attempts. This is a perfect example of using the imagination beneficially.
What do you imagine frequently about your business or personal life? If you pay attention to your thoughts and the images that you conjure up for one week you will have a good idea as to how your use your imagination.
SIMPLE TIPS TO ACTIVATE/BUILD YOUR IMAGINATION IQ
Carry a small notepad with you for a week (or even 2-3 days) and write down the predominate & re-occurring thoughts/images you have. At the end of the week you will know how you are using your imagination. You may be suprised to find that you are imagining things you do not want to happen. Thoughts that are steeped in fear-based thinking create like results.
If a stressful or negative thought pops up as it often will, come up with a phrase to address it. Some examples from others who use this process to be more conscious of their thoughts are: "Cancel/Clear, this is not in my highest good or the good of others; Excuse Me, I interrupt this broadcast for a message from my spirit...Then re-frame or replace the original imagined result with the one you desire. Re-framing/replacing is an important step and is training your mind to look for what you want.
Imagine (recall) a time in your life that you were so very happy and having great fun-picture it clearly and add the 4 other senses if they would apply (taste, smell, touch and hearing) Really put yourself into the memory and experience how you are feeling.
Write down your happy memory and read it outloud for a week once daily. As you read it imagine being there again. This helps you to activate your imagination and with practice you will become a pro.
Create a vision board that represents the life you'd love to live (include all areas of your life such as physical health/well being, financial, relationships, spiritually and career/creativity) Post it in a visable place you will see it often during the day. As you look at it begin to engage your feelings.
Join a Mastermind group or find a freind or partner willing to support you in doing this work. Accountability is very helpful as there is generally a gravitational pull back to the familiar. It's important to find people willing to hold a higher vision for you than you may hold for yourself at times.
All these ideas are very easy to implement and require very little time. However, what they do require is a willingness to do them on a regular basis as you are training your mind to focus differently. MAY YOUR COMING ATTRACTIONS BE GREAT!
If you want more support or information on programs that can assist you in this process call (509) 466-0377.