Our Imaginations Are Powerful Assets
10_15_2021
Our Imaginations Are Powerful Assets
Have you ever taken a moment to appreciate the gifts available to each of us through the power and resourcefulness of our imagination? I like J.K. Rowling’s definition of imagination: “Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not – and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation – in its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.”
Let’s begin by examining its power to help us explore potential solutions to pressing dilemmas in our lives. We encounter decisions awaiting our response on a daily basis. Some are minor in nature, like what to cook for dinner, so there’s less worry about lasting impacts of our deliberations.
On the other hand, when faced with trying to figure out how to respond to a challenging point in one of our key relationships, we can benefit from the power of imagination. A good place to start is to list responses to our friend or colleague, followed by calling on our ability to imagine the outcome of each of our considered responses. If we have been part of long-term relationships, we have developed a sense about how best to approach others that allow us to be heard without alienating the person to whom we are speaking.
I’ve learned in these circumstances to try and consider or imagine how a particular response on my part might lead to a positive outcome while simultaneously considering things that I might say that would just lead to more problems.
This process of pondering end results via my imagination works in other less heart-felt situations. I’ve just finished doing renovation work on my home, and in order to think about what I wanted the project to look like at the end, I went to our local library and checked out books that included layouts and pictures. Just having color schemes to consider, placement of furniture, window treatments helped me visualize or imagine how my choices might come together when the work was completed.
I also love a quote from Winston Churchill that reminds us we have the power to create a world rich in color and choice. “You create your own universe as you go along. The stronger your imagination, the more variegated your universe. When you leave off dreaming, the universe ceases to exist.” Such a wonderful reminder about all of the choices we have in our lives. I resonate with Churchill’s opening words: “We create our own universe as we go along.”
I know that my world has expanded by learning by example from witnessing others’ approaches to choices in their lives. Witnessing how others cooked, gardened, dressed, made choices about their homes have all enriched and enlarged my sense of possibilities. One thing I’ve learned is that if I am in touch with what appeals to me, and I can use my imagination to picture how choices will fit into my life, my decisions usually lead to satisfying results.
The last part of the Rowling quote speaks volumes to me. “Imagination in its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity has the power to enable us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.” I experience this phenomena when I read or listen to stories about others’ lives. Books to me are our private jets to travel in comfort to all parts of the world. I love the images that begin to form as authors describe the local scenery and settings. When authors provide an artistic rendition of a town’s map, I continually refer back to that page as the author introduces new landmarks in the story.
Images of people form as character development occurs, which in part is why I never like to watch a movie based on a book that I’ve read. I already have working images stored in my memory, and the director’s choices of images clashes with mine.
Our imaginations can provide us with means of escape as well as relaxation. But they can just as meaningfully awaken our empathy as we learn more about the lives of others.
My imagination also makes it possible for me to envision or dream of a more positive, compassionate world than the one we are bombarded with in our daily news. Brief interactions in my life when I witness the beauty and kindness of another triggers an image that reminds me to hold on to a vision that includes remembering the basic goodness present in so many people in our world.
Finally, as we take time to appreciate the resources that our imaginations offer us it seems important to reflect on how we can nurture or fertilize our imaginations. There are effortless steps that come to mind. First, it is necessary for us to reserve time during the day for mindful reflection, listening and paying attention to what surfaces in our thoughts. Our minds have the ability to register what is important to pay attention to, but we have to be quiet and let those reminders surface.
Being available to experience nature and beauty are high on my list. Nature offers us infinite moments of pure joy as we are gifted with constant surprises about its capacity to impress us. Noticing shadows is one of my favorite resources. During the day, rays of sun enter through different windows in my home, and they often cast shadows of trees, birds, branches on my walls. In their own way, these images are fluid gifts of art, and they stir my appreciation of beauty, and I feel like they also awaken part of my imagination.
Today I will take time to notice and express gratitude for the gift of having an active, resourceful imagination in my life.
