Imagination

"If you fall in love with the imagination, you understand that it is a free spirit. It will go anywhere, and it can do anything." ~ Alice Walker

Long ago I was accused of being a daydreamer. If there was a window near my desk at school, it was for staring out of. A lot. Head resting on chin. Thinking about what? Many things. Always imagining, having no idea what a gift it was. Accepted, but not really understood. It was just part of me, like breathing. It came with the package.  

There were times when I stood on whatever street corner was handy and imagined how life would be down the road. I would have 9 children and it would be fun! I would marry for love and stay that way. I would never yell at those children. I actually said these things out loud, staring at heaven, or where I imagined heaven to be, declaring my intentions to a God I hardly knew...yet.

The imagination is alive in us. But like our organs and flesh and blood and bones, it needs to be fed and nurtured to be kept alive. If it isn't, it's good purpose will lie dormant, as if in a deep sleep. One of the better and most pleasurable parts of ourselves should not be allowed to sleep away the years. It could be leading us into so much more of the possibilities and beauty of life. And it is so much fun! At least that is how I look at it now, as I've lived with my imagination these many years and we've had so many good times together.

I will share a few things that I think have led to a lively and thriving imagination.

• Time. I have never been one to pack my day (or my children's day for that matter) with things. I've considered myself a lazy sort, actually. Or maybe it's the desire and inclination to be laid back. Not sure. This trend gives me time to let thoughts spin around in my head, to look up something I'm curious about, to water the flowers (playing with water is soothing) or watch the wind in the trees.

• Curiosity about things is healthy for the imagination. Wondering about things leads into all sorts of wandering thoughts and ideas.

• Trying new things. Taking a paint brush or pen in hand and seeing what it feels like to apply some paint or ink to paper. Planting something and working to keep it alive and thriving. Taking up baking, roller skating, volleyball, anything new. New sensations open the mind to new forays.

• Appreciating nature, the out-of-doors. Noticing little things. The Creator of those creations has the best imagination of all. Seeing the details of His handiwork can inspire all sorts of further wondering and ideas. 

• Exposure to art of all kinds can open our eyes to the insights that others have, their imagining and resultant creation. They say God imagined our world before he created it and the same with His creation of us. Imagining comes before every good thing. Imagining a better mousetrap, or whatever it is. Imagining the way you want your kitchen to be and then working to make that happen. Imagining the music, as Mozart, before he wrote down the notes.  

When the imagination is well fed and stimulated, it can provide us with a lifetime of wonderful experiences, some of which, hopefully, will benefit others.

I am giving my imagination an exercise with this Blog endeavor. Writing is something I enjoy and I like to allow my imagination to have it's way in my writing...letting ideas flow, however they may flow, reigning them in only when needed. I hope to share my thoughts on many topics here. Hopefully it will make a difference to someone, even if it's only me. 

Thanks for tuning in. Until next time...