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Posts tagged ‘Imagination’

Revisiting Possibilities

Our possibilities become limitless when we use our imaginations and get creative.
~ Dr. Angela Kowitz Orobko

I love exploring within my mind as I ponder within my being and sit in peace with only instrumental music or natural sounds playing in the background. Come to think of it, I can be pulled into my own personal world whenever and wherever a certain object, smell or sound grabs my attention. It could be anything. Usually it will be an item that is colorful and bright like balloons or rainbows; or, it is fragrant like fresh-baked bread or honeysuckle after a light summer rain shower; or it is a joyous sound like the laughter of children or melodious like a birdsong or symphonic excerpt. These triggers will have my mind, heart and soul acting together in synchronicity sending my entire being into a land of imagination and wonder where I can investigate and consider possibilities. It is a wondrous time being able to explore possibilities as they are truly infinite when I open up my heart, mind and soul.

What may be impossible… truly is not; because, if you can imagine it, then it must be possible. It was once believed that flying machines were impossible. Look at all our innovations now that would seem quite wondrous, fantastic and impossible to our ancestors. Shall I even attempt this inexhaustible list ? There is: electricity, radio, television, telecommunication, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, the pencil, the pen, telephones, cellular telephones, movies, photography, printing presses, computers, international networking, airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, synthetic fabrics, heart transplants, conventional and microwave ovens, coffee makers, fiber optics, elevators, escalators, skyscrapers, Velcro, zippers, spacecraft, satellites, air conditioning, heat pumps, x-ray machines, printers, scanners, intercom systems, DNA testing, cloning and so on and so on.

It was not all that long ago when cloning, cellular/mobile phones and landing men on the moon was considered science FICTION, NOT FACT. The possibilities are only limited by a closed mind. If we can think it, we can do it. Can we defy gravity? Yes, via magnetism and with rockets. Can we travel the speed of light or even thought. I am certain someone is working on it. We are already sending messages almost as fast as a thought using computers and telephones. It seems instantaneous. At any rate, possibilities are fun to think about. I believe all things are possible. The possibilities are endless when we use our imagination. What are you open to imagine? What possibilities are in store for you and your future?

(Revised from January 25, 2012 edition)

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Inspiration

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Imagine Your Future

All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.
Brian Tracy
Live out of your imagination, not your history.
Stephen Covey
We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than our conditions, if we carefully learn to do certain things, we can accomplish those goals.
Stephen Covey
I believe in the imagination. What I cannot see is infinitely more important than what I can see.
Duane Michals

The imagination plays a vital role in shaping the future of successful people. Inside every successful person is an imagination that permitted him or her to visualize his or her future. They were able to place themselves in their dreams, which in turn allows them to make choices and decisions that move them closer to their goals and their successes. Each of us can choose to open our hearts, minds and souls to possibilities or not. It is as Henry Ford stated, “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”

Consider the possibilities and have fun in the playground of imagination! What do you have to lose by seeing yourself as everything you hope to be for a few minutes? Place yourself a year or two in the future and imagine yourself in your “dream” life. What are you doing? Who are you doing it with? Where are you? What are you feeling, seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling? Explore all your senses in your future self. Look back at your past/present self from your future self, and consider everything you did to get you to where you are now (in the future)? This takes practice, but once you make this a daily ritual, you will see events unfold before you that you probably never imagined before. Try and delight in this. See what happens. Ultimately, every choice is up to you.

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Imagination/Creativity, Inspiration, Intention, Joy, Life

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Practical Imagination

The imagination does not have to be limited realms of fantasy and unrealistic worlds. You can use your imagination for a practical purpose. What is more pragmatic than coming up with other purposes for common objects? For example, can you imagine other purposes or functions for a paper clip or rubber band?

Paper clips can be used as a tie clip or makeshift fastener if you lose a button. Rubber bands can be used to draw circles or you can make creative stamps by gluing a few down into a pattern onto a block of wood or sturdy cardboard. Consider the following ten items and imagine additional functions or purposes for them other than their original purposes or functions:

SOCKS
TOOTHBRUSH
COMB
TOWEL
NEWSPAPER
SHOE
POTATO
COTTON SWAB (Q-TIP)
COMPACT DISK (CD)
TOOTHPICK

Imagining a new purpose for items is quite practical when you have to make do with what you have. For example, suppose you need to add oil to your car and you do not have a funnel handy, you can create one with an empty plastic 2-liter bottle by cutting off the bottom. Plastic 2-liter bottles can be used for so many things like a terrarium or a flotation device. By practicing using your imagination in an exercise similar to the one described here, you will be able to see more easily various ways objects can be used for other purposes.

This type of problem-solving, creativity is a fabulous skill to have!

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Imagination/Creativity

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Imaginary Creatures

A fun way to enhance your imagination is to imagine a create, any type of creature or organism. It can be realistic or unrealistic or even fanciful. Do you remember Sesame Street with Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover and Elmo, and so many more wonderful imaginary creatures? Jim Henson and his Muppets stole the hearts of many children and adults.  Do you recall Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood that fabulous program on PBS that featured Trolley and the Land of Make Believe? Many of the children’s programs we grew up with engaged our imagination and taught invaluable lessons of caring and compassion. 

Today, you are invited to imagine and make a creature. To get the most out of this activity, it is recommended that you have paper, paint (or at least markers or crayons) and scissors. In the above image, Creatology­™ Non-Toxic Glitter Paint and a standard sheet of blank printer paper were used. A few dots of paint were randomly placed on the paper, then the paper was folded in half, top to bottom.

The paint was spread from the fold toward the edges using a hand or a stiff plastic card. Then the paper was gently opened and rotated until an image that looked like a creature emerged. If paint is not an available, use your scissors to cut along the fold in any pattern. When you open it you will see a symmetrical shape. Use your markers or crayons to make a creature.

If you are a savvy artist or a writer, you can simply draw or write about whatever fanciful creature that comes to mind. Consider the following questions: How large is your creature? Will your creature have an internal skeleton (like a dog or human) or external skeleton (like an insect or shellfish)? What outer covering will your creature have: skin, fur, feathers, scales, warts, hair, slime, etc.? How many eyes, legs, arms, etc. will your creature have? What does it eat? Where does it live? Could it live in out space? Is it equipped to withstand different temperatures? Can your creature transform into a gas or liquid or another form? Does your creature have sharp teeth? Does your creature have its own language? Does your creature have its own technologies? Is your creature friendly?

This is your imaginary creature, so it can be anything you wish. You have the choice to make it unique/one-of-a-kind or give it a family or society. You may even wish to create a story around your creature. You can do this exercise anytime you want to expand your imagination and creativity. This imagination activity help to develop one’s ability to problem solve as one seeks new ways of thinking about creatures and how diverse and unique they can be. Is that not great? Enjoy this activity as you pretend to be a child again in the land of make-believe. 

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Imagination and Stress

It is difficult for people to engage their “playful” imaginations when they are stressed and/or worried, although one might argue that an overactive imagination could lead to more stress. But, the focus is usually not on anything fun. People tend to focus their imaginations and energies on all the things that need to be done and/or those things they have no control. By shifting the focus from the worry and stress to fun and joy can be as simple as closing your eyes and focusing on breathing slowly and deeply, playing upbeat music in the background and visualizing a puppy/kitten playing or a baby/child laughing.

If possible smile and laugh. According to HelpGuide, “Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.” Furthermore, “laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.”

Now, as easily as your imagination can get the best of us when we imagine the worst case scenarios, we can also imagine the best case scenarios, just as easily. Dr Silvia Hartmann stated, “ANY good imagination or memory, daydream or fantasy will help stop stress, and actively RELIEVE stress, because the body can’t tell the difference between an imagined car crash or a real one…Taking your imagination onto a nice holiday, for example, even for just a few moments, is IMMENSELY stress relieving. Thinking of beautiful things, of pleasant things, of BEST CASE SCENARIOS, is also an outstanding anti-stress device.”

You have the power to imagine the negative aspects of stress away. Imagine being a carefree, happy, fluffy-white cloud squelching the overbearing sun trying to stress you with its pointy sharp rays. You can muffle your worries by imagining the best outcomes of any situation you may be experiencing and you can engage your imagination in happy thoughts like butterfly dancing or children running around and playing.

You have control of your thoughts, imagination and your reactions to most outside forces that happen upon you. Give yourself permission to use your playful (and powerful) imagination to deflate the stress in your life. When it comes to all the things you need to do, consider the following: What is the worst thing that could happen if I put off a few things for an hour or a day? What if I took an hour for myself to relax and recharge before I do anything else? Ask yourself, what are the best possible outcomes and then start believing in them. 

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Imagination Day 4

Today I invite you to play and engage your imagination. I found this interactive game called Imagination that allows you to create beautiful wavy lines with your cursor/mouse. Link: IMAGINATION

What do you think? Does it stimulate and engage your imagination? NEAVE INTERACTIVE is a digital playground of interactive tools, toys, apps, and art. Neave Interactive appears to be a site worthy of further exploration. More imagination activities will be presented tomorrow. Enjoy!

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Inspiration, Joy

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Imagination Day 3

Abstract art and forms invite people to use their imagination to see images. Pablo Picasso cleverly stated, “There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” What images do you perceive in the above abstract painting? Sit with it and stare for a few moments. What do you see? “Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young.” W. Somerset Maugham

Today, there was attention given to a chicken nugget that looked like George Washington.

Some would say, wow,  you have a great imagination. Do you see the resemblance? What else besides a chicken nugget, does that form look like to you? What image do you see if it was turned 180 degrees / upside down?

     

As children, many of us gazed into the heavens and made out animals and other things from the fluffy, billowy clouds we would see in the sky. Many summer afternoons would be spent playing this fun game with our friends and siblings. Why not do this now? Take time to gaze at the clouds, what do you see? “A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”  Antoine de Saint-Exupery 

You can engage your imagination any time you wish. From chicken nuggets to billowy clouds to an office ceiling or into your coffee mug just before you stir up the cream, you can activate your imagination and allow images to form in your mind. Can you imagine other ways to engage in this type of activity?Does it sound like fun? You bet it does. Enjoy the moment and turn up the imagination. 

I am imagination. I can see what the eyes cannot see. I can hear what the ears cannot hear. I can feel what the heart cannot feel. Peter Nivio Zarlenga

(http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_imagination2.html)

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Imagination Day 2

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”Albert Einstein

Indeed, it is not just embracing the entire world but also the entire Universe with all of its galaxies and its multidimensional parts, which transcends (goes beyond) time and space. Allow yourself to think about those things that go beyond what you know. Imagine being the size of a sub-atomic particle in a sub-atomic world where everything seems to be in motion. What would that feel like? What would that look like?

Would you get motion sickness as you hitch a ride with an electron or would you invite the thrill of soaring between molecules as you merge with other elements? Is it dark or bright? Is it colorful? What do you hear around you? Are the sounds around you angelic and serene? 

You can imagine it to be whatever you wish it to be. Are you part of a crystal or are you in a fluid state, flowing gently as a mountain stream in the late spring. Are you contained within an animal or a plant? Would you even know? How can you tell the difference?

Asking yourself questions each day from different points of view is a fantastic way to develop your imagination. Each day this week, more prompts will be presented to help you develop your imagination. I invite you to write or draw around these questions. Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. Feedback is always welcomed.  Enjoy the process and have fun.

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Education, Inspiration, Life, Psychology

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Imagination

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” ~ Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein had a great deal of respect for the imagination. Without imagination, how can people make a discovery or tap into their creativity? Consider these words: Image, Imagine, Imagination, Magi, Magic. Indeed by looking at them they seem related. The act of forming images on one’s mind is imagination. This seems to be a magical process. Children have vivid imaginations.

Why is it that so many adults lose this part of themselves? This question is best left for you to answer as speculation on part of the writer would only be her humble opinion. However, how does one recapture his or her imagination? This is the first article in a series on how to do this as there are numerous ways to tap into one’s imagination.

First, let go of the worries of tomorrow and enjoy this moment. Be open only to receive how you feel right now as you read this article and look upon the artwork. Now close your eyes for a few moments, and pretend you are a butterfly. After a few moments, open your eyes and consider the following questions: How did it feel to have wings? How did the world look to you as a butterfly? Consider your life as a butterfly, were you always a butterfly? What did it feel like when you were a caterpillar? How did the world seem to you as a caterpillar? Describe your transformation into a butterfly. Were you scared or did you feel safe and secure, when you were in your cocoon? How did it feel to emerge from that cocoon? How did it feel to use a little imagination? Please share your experiences in the comments below. Come back tomorrow for more imagination fun and development.

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Education, Inspiration, Joy

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Possibilities

Our possibilities become limitless when we use our imaginations and get creative. I love exploring within my mind as I ponder within my being and sit in peace with only instrumental music or natural sounds playing in the background. Come to think of it, I can be pulled into Angi’s world anywhere I am when an object, smell or sound grabs my attention. It could be anything. Usually it will be an item that is colorful and bright like balloons or rainbows; or, it is fragrant like fresh-baked bread or honeysuckle after a light summer rain shower; or it is a joyous sound like the laughter of children or melodious like a birdsong or symphonic excerpt. These triggers will have my mind, heart and soul acting together in synchronicity sending my entire being into a land of imagination and wonder where I can investigate and consider possibilities. It is a wondrous time being able to explore possibilities as they are truly infinite when I open up my heart, mind and soul.

What is impossible really is not; because if you can think it then it must be possible. It was once believed that flying was impossible. Look at all our innovations now that would seem quite wondrous, fantastic and impossible to our ancestors. Shall I even attempt thr inexhaustible list them: electricity, radio, television, telecommunication, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, the pencil, the pen, telephones, cellular telephones, movies, photography, printing presses, computers, international networking, airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, synthetic fabrics, heart transplants, conventional and microwave ovens, coffee makers, fiber optics, elevators, escalators, skyscrapers, Velcro, zippers, spacecraft, satellites, air conditioning, heat pumps, x-ray machines, printers, scanners, intercom systems, DNA testing, cloning and so on and so on.

It was not all that long ago when cloning and landing men on the moon was considered science fiction, NOT fact. The possibilities are only limited by a closed mind. If we can think it, we can do it. Can we defy gravity? Yes, via magnetism and with rockets. Can we travel the speed of light or even thought. I am certain someone is working on it. We are already sending messages almost as fast as a thought using computers and telephones. It seems instantaneous. At any rate, possibilities are fun to think about. I believe all things are possible. The possibilities are endless when we use our imagination. What are you open to imagine? 

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Inspiration, Intention, Joy, Life

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