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Cultivate The Power of Imagination

The power of imagination can bring us on exciting adventures, to fantasy playgrounds and rides on rainbows. Mine certainly did, one lazy afternoon while I was at the park. There was a tree that loomed above me (see picture). As I lay on the ground and turned my head upwards, I observed that the air that surrounded the crown of ferns sitting atop the tree carried a mystical charm. The day was hot. My eyes started to feel heavy. I closed my eyes.

“The Silver Shoes,” said the Good Witch, “have wonderful powers. And one of the most curious things about them is that they can carry you to any place in the world in three steps, and each step will be made in the wink of an eye. All you have to do is to knock the heels together three times and command the shoes to carry you wherever you wish to go.”
— Dorothy and the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz.

I saw myself shrinking many times over. My feet kicked off and I took flight. I hovered above the crown of ferns for a while before I swooped down. Upon landing on the crown, I was transported into another world. That afternoon, I frolicked with the wood nymphs, flower fairies, talking sparrows and purple-winged butterflies.

the power of imagination
(photo by The 5th ape )

Time did not exist while I was away. When I finally awoke, I reflected on how the use of imagination has just allowed me a glimpse into another world. Through frolicking with the fairies and teas with the woodpecker, I ended up with a few creative ideas to take home that day! And so it is that I borrow what Jake Sully from the movie Avatar said: “I may just be talking to a tree, but if you can hear me I need to give you a heads up.”

The Power of Imagination

1. Unleash Possibilities. Utilizing the power of imagination applied to thought, we open doors to wondrous possibilities. Our mind is the canvas to which we can apply our creative imagination to. What is on the inside becomes what is on the outside. We can do much to create the beauty around us.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
— Albert Einstein

2. Aids in Problem Solving. The use of imagination is not to be undermined because it grants us the power to change our life situation and to respond in more empowered ways. By asking what-if, we give ourselves the permission to unstuck ourselves. We create new neuro-pathways instead of repeatedly running along the same track without any breakthroughs. Possibilities are only limited by the extent to which we open ourselves to unchartered frontiers. Freedom from fear takes us soaring!

“You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created.”
— Albert Einstein

3. Stimulates Creativity into New Frontiers. Without imagination, the first plane would not have taken off, boats would not have set sail and flights made to the moon. There would be no internet or personal computers either. Of course, you can also question about the use of imagination in science and technology being used for war or unethical purposes. Well, the problem does not lie in imagination but the intent from which we are applying our creative minds to.

“To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.”
— Albert Einstein

4. Connects Us to Who We Are. We are born with the faculties of imagination and creativity. Not using these faculties is like living the life of a robot. Allowing our busy careers and lifestyles run our lives kills our spirit. Yet, conventional norms will have us believe that it is okay to continue producing repetitive, boring and unstimulating work for the primary concern of paying the bills. And so it is that we feel empty. We go searching for happiness and fulfillment, never realizing that the answers all lie from within.

When we start to connect with who we are, we realize that we are beyond time, space, dimension and form. We realize that we are truly powerful. We gain access to an inner power and strangely when we ask, we gain support from universal resources. We realize that our reality can be changed when we engage our creative imagination.

“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.”
— Alan Alda

5. Key to Visioning. Imagination lets us see the possibilities of how we can represent our essence. Intention allows us to focus on where we wish to direct our energy on. Add the ingredients of focused attention, belief, expectancy and persistency to the mix, we have the formula for visioning!

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
—- Gail Devers


Nature Tapestry Notes

Today’s post is a continuation of the Nature Tapestry Notes I had published in November last year. Going forward, I am intending to publish Nature Tapestry Notes every start of the month. First and foremost, doing so reminds me that no matter how busy I am, I am to find time to connect with nature in year 2010. Well, I hope to continue to draw love, inspiration and renewal from Mother Earth. My wish is that you will be inspired by my posts to make walks and meditation in the park a regular one too!!

Notes for The Day: Utilize the power of your imagination. It is a an important key to inspiration, creative problem solving and visioning. So, let your imagination fly and open yourself to all possibilities. And finally, when reviewing your dreams, consider the following advice….

“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?'”
—- George Bernard Shaw

Abundance always,

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Evelyn

Nadia - Happy Lotus - February 1, 2010

Hi Evelyn,

Amen for imagination! I am a big believer in it. I think imagination is the one tool that people do not use enough. I think when we are kids we have easy access to our imagination. However, as people get older, they are taught to be realistic and so on which then causes their imagination to die.

Everything starts with a thought. Look at the men who created the plane. It all started with the idea of wanting to fly. I am sure they were made fun of because of it. Yet thanks to them we can travel the world with ease.

By the way, I love the pictures!

Evelyn Reply:

Hey Nadia,

It’s great that you like the pictures!

Oh yes…thanks to those who dared dreamed about wanting to fly and who made their dreams true….we are able to travel today! My post also serves as an ongoing reminder to myself not to give up on my dreams too!

To the success and fulfillment of our dreams,
Evelyn

Hilary - February 2, 2010

Hi Evelyn .. what a great post and a stimulating one to have at the beginning of the month. If humans weren’t meant to be dreamers and tryers .. we’d never be eating the food we eat, seeing our world in magical plantings, nature at its best … there’s so much to be thankful for.

If we cannot do, what can we do? We do put each other down too much .. encourage and support others, believe in yourself .. as you say create in your mind, imagine plentiful .. dare to dream – big.

Have a great week – thank you – Hilary

Evelyn Reply:

Hilary,

Indeed, we have an inner desire to have fun, improve on ourselves and the way we live and create beauty. And we need to honor this, instead of stifling it!

Have an awesome month ahead!
With love,
Evelyn

Lana - DreamFollowers Blog - February 2, 2010

I love George Bernard Shaw quote…really, why not? I recently heard Will Smith say – “Being realistic is the most common travelled road to mediocrity.” So let’s don’t be realistic, lets imagine, dream and make great things happen!

Great post Evelyn, thank you!

Evelyn Reply:

Hello Lana,

Being realistic appears safe. However, what appears safe is in most cases an illusion. Since everything is impermanent in this physical world, nothing can be truly safe! And to think that for the longest time, I preferred to play safe!

To playing BIG from now,
Evelyn

Albert Agaru - February 2, 2010

Hi, Evelyn,
That was very true, its the imagination that drives us to wherever we liked to go and if we imagine ourselves in the scenario of what we might do to fulfill our dreams. We have to think positively and archive what we imagine for.

Great thought Evelyn,
Rgs

Albert Agaru

Evelyn Reply:

Hello Albert,

I am glad that you agree with me that without imagination, we cannot even get started! The more we can put aside our limiting beliefs and strive for what we want, the more our dreams will come true!

To the success of your dreams,
Evelyn

Esther - February 2, 2010

trato de entender pero no se me da mucho el ingles me lo pudieran poner en español?

Farouk - February 2, 2010

very nice post and amazing image choice

Evelyn Reply:

Thank you, Farouk! I enjoy taking the extra effort to source for the photos I like to see on my site!

All the best,
Evelyn

Amit Sodha - The Power Of Choice - February 3, 2010

@Lana – Great Will Smith quote!

@Evelyn – Awesome piece. Imagination is so underated. There is no limit to imagination and It’s a world I personally like to explore often!

Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord - February 3, 2010

Hi, Evelyn!

I love your imagination, and would have really enjoyed being in that space with you, as you visited with fairies, nymphs, and other mystical creatures.

Sometimes in meditation, I’ll have fun and just let loose, allowing my mind to go where it will in a good & balanced (imaginative) way. Last night, for instance, I ended up visiting with someone who had passed ten years ago. He shared some beautiful information with me. When I came out of meditation, I felt as though I’d truly connected with him in so-called “real” life.

Today I have a feeling my imaginative little quest will serve me as I go about my day.

Much love & joy to you!

Evelyn Reply:

Hey Megan,

Not sure why I missed responding to your comment much earlier. Apologies!

It’s great that you’ve connected with someone dear. I have had experiences like yours myself. I experienced closure with unresolved issues and also got an affirmation that I could call on her as a guide anytime I wanted.

Do share more about your experiences!

With love,
Evelyn

JACQUI - February 3, 2010

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Evelyn Reply:

Hey Jacqui,

I have just visited your site to thank you! Thanks for the mention. I am deeply honored.

With love,
Evelyn

Ben Klempner, MSW - February 3, 2010

A number of years ago a good friend of mine was confined to bed for several months. He couldn’t leave his bed even so much as to look out of his hospital window. The doctors told him he would never walk again. Yet in his imagination there were no places he couldn’t travel to, and no walks he couldn’t take. There was no sunrise or sunset he couldn’t watch. In fact, he was even able to imagine getting well and regaining the use of his legs. It was that imagery brought into being through the power of his imagination which led to his recovery and his regaining almost full use of his arms and legs which the doctors believed to be “unimaginable.”

Evelyn Reply:

Hi Ben,

Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story. Indeed, utilizing our faculties of creative visualization and imagination can help move us forward in our goals. Your friend has certainly a lot to teach me in the area of persistence and will power as well!

To the power of your imagination and success,
Evelyn

Katie West/The Levity Coach - February 4, 2010

Evelyn,
I love this! The quote at the end sums it all up for me so well. I have always been a “why not” person and have been amazed at times that while I will have the respect of those around me, my line of thinking seems “unthinkable”–this can be summed up in a Goethe quote
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now” ..and you are so right it all begins with that ability to imagine or dream!
By the way, I am STILL thinking and practicing the difference between gratitude and appreciation and I think I get it and dig it!
with love and laughter
Katie

Evelyn Reply:

Hey Katie,

I love the same Goethe’s quote too! I can certainly believe that you are a “why not” person!! Your energy is fun, light and uplifting!

Oh wow…didn’t think that my article on the difference between gratitude and appreciation would have anyone thinking for so long! For whatever conclusions you have arrived at, I am glad that it has gotten you in closer touch to your thoughts and feelings. Your dwelling on it lets me know that you do not simply “accept” things at the surface but have a willingness to examine your deeper self.

To greater self-awareness and shifting into power,
Evelyn

Joy - February 4, 2010

I love your vision! How fun!
I enjoy my children, and play with them helps keep my imagination fresh and alive. We take turns choosing the games, enjoy all types of art together, incorporate lots of fantasy and make believe because we find pleasure in it, and just enjoy the day and where we are in it.
I love to have the same type of experience with my friends–the ones who will play–there is such pure joy in it. I try to share what I do with my children with my friends. Now, I’ve just joined a drum circle and it’s interesting to me to see who comes out of their comfort zone to attend.
My favorite activity when I am by myself is to open the hatch of the v-berth in the boat, lie on the v-berth peering up through the hatch and watch the clouds. Then just let my mind wander. The breeze flows through, the sun warms, the peace is amazing. And that flows to every area of my life.
Lots of good energy!

Evelyn Reply:

Hello Joy,

You lead an enviable life! And it is so wonderful that you have child-like playfulness!

I can just imagine you lying on the v-berth looking at the clouds. I recall a time when I’d be out every weekend on my friend’s boat. Hopefully, I get a chance to cruise, watch the clouds and let my imagination fly again one day!

With love,
Evelyn

This Week’s Top Posts | Effective Family Communication - February 5, 2010

[…] Cultivate the Power of Imagination […]

Ana Goncalves - February 6, 2010

Dear Evelyn,
It is simply wonderful to just be, and dream away where our pureness resides in our true expression of playfulness. 🙂
Beautiful share.

Evelyn Reply:

Hello Ana,

Your words just took my breath away!

With love,
Evelyn

Walter - February 7, 2010

Imagination is a powerful gift bestowed upon us all. Unfortunately, as we grow up, we tend to dismiss it’s applicability in our daily lives. Most of the time, we are satisfied at what we see and perceive, never giving our imagination a chance to do its work. The greatest achievements of this world once contained itself in the imaginations of man. 🙂

Evelyn Reply:

Oh yes, it all began with a thought. Yet, we are often stifled into a repetitive pattern, and not encouraged to use our faculties of imagination. As you can see, I am hoping to stretch mine 🙂

With love,
Evelyn

Chris Edgar - February 8, 2010

Thanks for this Evelyn — one thing I’ve noticed about my imagination or creativity is that it works spontaneously, without a lot of effort on my part. Inspiration just seems to emerge out of nothing. It’s not like the repetitive thinking my mind usually does. It’s a great pointer, like you say, to what we truly are.

Evelyn Reply:

Thumbs up to what you said, Chris! Inspiration does come from the creative space of nothingness. We need awareness to catch it, though!

With love,
Evelyn

Bake - February 9, 2010

Hey Evelyn,
Good post here. I have found in my own life, my imagination is heightened when reading inspriational blogs such as yours. It sparks up new ideas and these are ideas I can tangiably work on for the best results. So thank you for this inspirational post on imagination.

Baker

Evelyn Reply:

Hello Baker,

I am blushing while reading your comment here. We sure can do a lot to inspire one another 🙂

With love,
Evelyn

JACQUI - February 9, 2010

Daydreaming is SO important for all of the reasons you’ve listed. How many times did teachers tell us off for day-dreaming? There should be a class that encourages it. The best ideas come from day-dreaming.

Evelyn Reply:

Hmmm….you made an excellent point. There is just not enough encouragement of day-dreaming and thinking out-of-the-box!

Regards,
Evelyn

Kaushik - February 10, 2010

Imagination is powerful and wonderful. It opens up fascinating new worlds.

Great post, thanks!

Evelyn Reply:

Indeed, Kaushik! I enjoy indulging in my fantasy worlds.

ninja Reply:

hi Evelyn as i was surfing through my net i got through your blog and it was quite interesting and imaginative and a number of things in my life have been ended up imagining my career, love and anything for that matter its such a wonderful feeling to imagine and live in a world so much happening, one instance i like to share with you is about my love life how i imagined to live with her through out my ages and to my senses it is true that i have hardly spoken to her just two times in my seven years……… i just want to share with u tats it…..

scheng1 - March 1, 2010

It’s fortunate that lazy students and lazy employees have enough imagination to succeed.
Come to think of it, those fantasy writers really know how to make a living out of their imaginations.

ninja - November 20, 2010

hi Evelyn as i was surfing through my net i got through your blog and it was quite interesting and imaginative and a number of things in my life have been ended up imagining my career, love and anything for that matter its such a wonderful feeling to imagine and live in a world so much happening, one instance i like to share with you is about my love life how i imagined to live with her through out my ages and to my senses it is true that i have hardly spoken to her just two times in my seven years……… i just want to share with u tats it…..

Comments are closed