Imagination!
“This is cause for celebration! A human being with imagination!” - Roxxane Pierce
Wow! Magic! Magnificent! Watch Peter, a young child playing. He is in a world of his own, free, unfettered, spontaneous. His Lego blocks become a spaceship, and he flies to Mars, Jupiter and beyond… A while later his toy becomes a submarine searching for treasures in long gone sunken ships. Peter is actively applying his imagination to come up with new ideas and plans for his play.
Imagination is the act of forming a mental image of something that is not present to the senses and not reality. It is to enter a world where there are no limits, and nothing is impossible like Peter did. Fish can drive cars, elephants can fly, and furniture can talk. Imagination is anything but frivolous and only reserved for children. It is a serious topic that has been widely studied in the academic world.
Why? Everything which has been created on earth by human beings started in the imagination of somebody’s mind, from the discovery of a Covid vaccine, spaceships and AI. It is to escape from the shackles of the ordinary. Einstein discovered his relativity theory while daydreaming and imagining in nature! He said that imagination is more powerful than knowledge.
Imagination enables us to deal with problems in original, inventive and resourceful ways. It is pivotal for human development and personal growth; a power tool in every area of human endeavour, from home to work to wherever… Imagination is the foundation of creative problem solving. We need imagination to envision a better future which doesn’t exist yet. Isabel Allende said, “If we don’t begin by imagining a perfect world, how shall we create one?”
Society’s influence and expectations allows little time for imaginative pursuits.
Sadly, as we get older, our imagination, a gift we all received at birth, seems to dwindle. We learn from parents, teachers and society how the world works, and how to adapt to the environment. Society’s influence and expectations allows little time for imaginative pursuits. Pressure to conform and “fit in” is often rewarded. Arnold Lobel said without a doubt there is something as too much order!
Although the pressures to conform dulls our power of imaginative thinking, it can be rekindled and like a muscle that needs practice to get stronger. A few tips to spark your imagination. FIRSTLY, expand your knowledge base. Be curious because the more you know the more opportunities for original ideas!
SECONDLY, expose yourself to new experiences; even those you might be fearful of. How about a hot air balloon ride, learning a new language, trying a new sport with which you are unfamiliar, wearing something with an unusual style, or going to a party where you don’t know many people or even suggesting an alternative solution to your boss?
THIRDLY, ask “What if” questions and challenge yourself with hypothetical scenarios. What if everyone at work dressed up as cartoon characters for a day? The more offbeat your ideas, the better. FOURTHLY, seek inspiration from innovators, artists, writers and mentors. FIFTHLY, set aside time to just let your mind wander and daydream.
Join me on a fun and creative journey to ignite your imagination!
Dr.Sonia