The Practice of Imagination

When we were kids, letting our imagination guide us was a given, but as the weight of the world grew in tandem with our bodies, we often found that time to just “zone out” and let our creativity do its thing grew shorter and shorter. Call me crazy, but I think part of the scaling back might also have something to do with our monkey minds making us believe that other people’s opinions mattered more than our own. But that’s the nice thing about creativity and imagination; you can flex that imagination right in front of everyone, and they have no idea what you’re doing, unless, of course, you’re making faces or noises.

Regardless, what many people need right now is hope; a light at the end of the tunnel. If you might be feeling that way, one option to try is calling up that old imagination and tell it to put its work boots on, because it’s about to serve as the solid foundation for hope. 

And do what you ask? Well, first off, we can trade in the doomscrolling for some time spent picturing positive outcomes. They don’t have to be huge; little victories are still victories. Think about what you might be able to do or say to improve a situation instead of doing and saying nothing. The simple act of acknowledgement does wonders to connect one another, and even brainstorming together about something can lead to action because all of a sudden you’re building accountability into it if you agree to work together.

Something else- give your brain a homework assignment before bed and tell yourself that you’re going to dream about creative solutions and remember them. Pro tip, when you wake from dreaming, do not roll over or change your position. Physically moving will cause a disruption and can lead to being less likely to remember aspects of your dream.

Next, express gratitude daily for what you have, but jazz it up. Deliver the message like Casey Kasem is making it a long distance dedication on the old American Top 40, turn it into a haiku, or picture it as an interpretive dance performed by Mr. Bean in a tutu: serve it up in a way that makes you smile because you’re infusing into it something else that brings you joy (and no one can judge).

Working your imagination doesn’t need to be grandiose; look to micro-dose your creativity. Shake up what may be planned as the same old dinner by including a secret ingredient or trying a new recipe (it can help letting the family know that if it’s a bust, deliver of something edible is the backup plan, and at least you’ll have something to look back on and laugh). When driving to work or church or the gym, try to imagine the surrounding area as it looked 10, 25, 80 or 150 years ago.

Creating something new is Divine work, whether it’s tangible, a thought or a feeling. This world is in a state of constant creation and it’s our birthright to create right along with it. Don’t make yourself small or shine less brightly for fear of being judged. Go for it and work that noodle. You might inspire others to shake things up as well and next thing you know, you’ve created change others might be looking for.