The ability to conjure of visions of the future or past is essential to
the work of imagination, which forms the basis of creativity. With imagination,
you can envision anything. Whether it’s a better life, a job with more money,
or a purple cat who disappears, your imagination is what you use to think about
the future. Imagination can also be used to think about what could happen in the
future that isn’t good. So, even if you only think about the worst things that
could happen, you’re still using your imagination. The trick in creativity and
learning to live a better life is to get the imagination to work for you.
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it” – William Arthur Ward.
If you want to improve your life or the world, you have to know what
that means. By imagining a better life, you can plan the steps it takes to get
there. By imagining a better world, you can describe it to others, so everyone
knows what it will look like and they’ll want to get there. How do you use your
imagination better?
Write Down Your Dreams: Keeping a dream journal will allow you to harness the imagination that flows when you’re asleep. Keep the journal and a pencil near your bed; write down your dreams before you do anything else.
Make a Wish: In “Pure Imagination,” Gene Wilder sings about the world he created. He starts with making a wish. You can do the same. Make a wish, see yourself with the wish, now imagine how you got there.
Find a Mentor: Wilder invites the group to come with him and view what he’s created. It’s a jumping off point for a group of arguably unimaginative kids and adults to begin to explore their own imaginations.
Track Happy Accidents: Sometimes, you’ll misread or misspeak. Use that to jump into your imagination. Keep it written down.
Of course, imagination isn’t the only thing you need to achieve a better life. You’ll need to work to bring it to life through creativity, innovation, trial, error, and perseverance. For more on creativity, purchase “Disneyland Is Creativity: 25 Tips for Becoming More Creative.” Order “Penguinate! Essays and Short Stories: Improve Your Creativity for a Better Life and World.” Preorder “The Haunted Mansion Is Creativity.”
Pure Imagination lyrics Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three. [Sung] Come with me And you’ll be In a world of Pure imagination Take a look And you’ll see Into your imagination We’ll begin With a spin Traveling in The world of my creation What we’ll see Will defy Explanation If you want to view paradise Simply look around and view it Anything you want to, do it Want to change the world? There’s nothing To it There is no Life I know To compare with Pure imagination Living there You’ll be free If you truly wish to be If you want to view paradise Simply look around and view it Anything you want to, do it Want to change the world? There’s nothing To it There is no Life I know To compare with Pure imagination Living there You’ll be free If you truly Wish to be
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Penguinate! Positive Creativity 