HJ: Imagination is one of the most powerful faculties we posses for achieving our dreams and goals. It is essentially a blank canvas where we can flesh out ideas, inspiration and creative ways of looking at ourselves and the world around us. However, like any skill we posses, it can atrophy if it goes unused for extended periods of time (although it is important to point out that we can never lose our imagination). It is important to note that the power of our imagination is limited only by our beliefs, which essentially dictate the framework in which all aspects of our experience of ourselves and reality operate. Therefore in order to get the most out of our imagination it is important to adjust any limiting beliefs into a more expansive, life affirming form. The nature of the universe is unlimited. Limits are only self imposed and this typically occurs due to cultural preconceptions which we inherit from our friends, family and parents at young age.
What separates those high achievers and even those who ‘simply’ achieve their dreams and goals is an ability to think in a more expansive way, which is based primarily on strong imaginative capabilities. And, after all, is this not a fun way to approach life? Lets get creative.
– Truth
10 Ways to Ignite Your Imagination and Accomplish Big Things
By Tina Williamson | Dumb Little Man | Barefoot Beginnings
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“Imagination is more important than knowledge” ~ Albert Einstein
The reality is you can be anyone or anything you want to be; it just takes a pinch of confidence and a spoonful of imagination. Do you want to write like Hemingway? Paint like Michelangelo? Or become the next big discovery on the Dragon’s Den?
Guess what? You can be any of these things; you already have all the tools you need right now to tap in and let yourself shine.
That’s what this article is going to teach you. I’m going to tell you how.
It’s all about a little concept called impermanence. It’s not such a little thing; actually it’s a big, enormous, monumental, life changing concept. People who can grasp impermanence are seriously ahead of the pack, without sounding too cliché; the world becomes your oyster.
Buddhists talk about a concept known as gross impermanence: This is easy; you were once a child, now you are an adult, someday you will be elderly and finally the most vivid example is death. These changes are clear and noticeable.
All forms of gross impermanence emerge from subtle impermanence. The subtle changes that are constantly taking place within all people, animals and things.
Tap into your imagination and let’s look at a human life: You can see that we change over time; we looked at the noticeable differences from childhood to old age. But what happens in-between these milestones? When you gaze in the mirror have you changed since yesterday?
Let’s look at a common visual used to explain subtle impermanence: A seed is planted. This seed creates a seedling, which goes on to create a tree. Now that we have a tree the seed or the seedling no longer exists, even though they produced the tree. Finally the fruit that the tree produced is also not the tree, though it was produced by the tree. In order for the seed to finally produce the fruit it went through endless subtle changes.
Like the seed and the tree I am also constantly changing. I wrote the sentence above, now I’m writing this sentence; I am a new person with each moment that passes. Scientifically our cells are dying and being reborn. These changes are a continuous movement, in a constant state of flux. Each moment leads into the next moment and then the next.
The implications of this are mind blowing. You are a new person with each moment that passes.
Like a broken record your mind might try to keep repeating that you’re not good, smart or funny enough. It might replay that you’re the same old person with the same sad story, deluding your true capabilities. The record will keep playing as long as you choose to keep listening.
We can’t deny impermanence. If everything is constantly reshaping itself then we have the absolute power to make significant life changes. You are an empty canvas and you can mold and form yourself into anything. Every decade, year, hour, minute and second you are a completely new person.
This realization opens up exciting possibilities, everything in our world; cars, phones, furniture, paintings, music; the list is endless, were once nothing more than a vision in someone’s imagination.
Don’t hesitate to get started on your dreams right now! Here are ten easy steps to get the creative juices flowing. Let’s give our imaginations a boost and create something incredible…..
Let’s get right to it. Keep reading for 10 ways to Ignite Your Imagination and Accomplish Big Things
1. Realize your potential
Do you think Ernest Hemingway set out to be one the greatest writers of all time? He was following his passion and with that came huge success. What you think you become.
2. Locate our thoughts
During meditation and exercise we can quiet the mental chatter and access a new part of our brains. When you begin to experience stillness you can start to throw away the logic of the conscious mind and tap into the super conscious mind – responsible for unlimited creativity.
Don’t underestimate the power of meditation and exercise. Both will send feel good endorphins to your brain and release pent up stress and anxiety which is clouding your true potential.
3. Throw away preconditioned notions of you
What is it that you have always told yourself, are you lacking in creativity or originality? Stop these thoughts, your mind is telling you things that aren’t true. Remember impermanence? Every moment is like a refresh, you are a blank canvas. Choose what you want to fill your canvas with.
Tap in and experience your truest form, you are a rich, alive and buzzing and nothing will change that.
4. Decide where to channel your energies
Decide on an imaginative path, or decide on a few. If you want to be a great painter, visualize yourself as Picasso, walk through your day pretending you are him. What you think you become, if you imagine success you will create a path for success to find you.
5. Research and ask questions
Always be inquisitive and most importantly listen to others without trying to form a reply. You have so much to learn from your fellow peers. Carry a Notebook and write ideas down; you might be surprised where inspiration finds you.
6. Observe
Have you noticed what’s going on around you or are you still stuck in your racing mind? Pay attention to what other successful people are doing. Talk less and listen more.
7. Practice mindfulness
“Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.”
With this practice come vivid colours and heightened senses; use this new way of looking at the world to tap into your creative juices. Venture out into nature and feel the aliveness of the forest.
8. Take time to explore your passions
Music is one of mine; with my favourite song playing I visualize stepping out at dawn to snap a picture of the mysterious fog hovering over a still lake. Read poetry, have fun with crafts or go to an art gallery, whatever gets you inspired; take a double dose.
9. Understand that hesitation and doubts are normal, don’t be too hard on yourself.
When the mind does take over and tells you you’re not good enough, and it will, let these thoughts go like clouds in the sky; acknowledge them and watch them pass by. Thoughts will always arise the key is not reacting to them.
10. Always take time for yourself.
Don’t become so consumed with finding imagination that you have forgotten how to take time to just be. Life needs to be a balance of all things.
Make a commitment right now to find your imagination – to be the most magnificent version of you. Every human has limitless potential, you just need to tear away the layers of doubt the mind has tightly wrapped. Realize every second you are a brand new person and can make brand new changes. Right now, now, now now! Go ahead, do something amazing.
