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Jul 23

Imagine Great Things

This is my ninth post in a series, where each Monday (if possible) I will post about a point of reflection or insight that I will use to reflect and meditate on during the week. In order to make it a bit more focused and interesting, I will attempt to do this with topics beginning with letters from A to Z. I have often found that having a specific topic to reflect and/or meditate on during the week really lends itself to interesting insights and growth, because you not only have several days to reflect and meditate on the topic, but you have several days to put any lessons and insights that you discover to work in your every day life. For those that follow me on Twitter (@JasonLivingNow) I will try to write updates as the weekly topics come up during meditations, moments of reflection, or just during everyday life. To view the current and previous entries in this series, please visit the: Reflections and Insights A Through Z section.

My son at an OU v. OSU baseball game last year.

I= Imagine Great Things: Using our imagination to reach for our dreams, is essential in reaching our fullest potential. Too often we feel that we can’t think outside of the box, or we think that we aren’t good enough to reach for the stars, both of which are patently false. If you think about great people throughout history, they were visionaries, they were people who weren’t afraid to dream big, step out on a limb, and make their dreams happen. We each contain the seeds of greatness within us, we each have the ability to create our own reality. When we imagine the life we want to live, the goals we want to accomplish, or the ways we want to effect the world, we can then begin to take steps to make the dreams formed in our imagination reality.

Using your imagination to form your ideas, dreams, and goals in a positive and constructive way can provide a powerful motivating force in your life. Imagination can provide you with the seeds, which through effort can blossom into the reality of your choosing.

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.” -George Bernard Shaw

Imagination has played a large part in my life, because it has allowed me to dream of the life I wanted to live, the goals I wanted to reach, and develop a plan to attain them. While I have accomplished many of the goals from my younger years, I am constantly using my imagination to continue to make and pursue new dreams. I must say though, that it is important to remain grounded in the present, and don’t simply push towards the obtainment of goals, or constantly focus on the future. Remember to enjoy the the journey, enjoy life, and enjoy living in the now, while reaching for your dreams.

Practical Tip: During your meditations or quiet times try to imagine where you want to be in 2, 5, and even 10 years in the future. Imagine the best possible scenario possible. What would truly make you happy? Once you have identified some goals, begin making an effort to reach those goals. If possible, try to make small incremental goals, so that you can have achievements that will keep you motivated along the way to the ultimate goal. Also, incremental goals will allow you to stay more grounded in the present, and enjoy the journey, rather than looking at a goal that may be several years down the road.

I would love to see your thoughts and comments on imagination and what you have done to cultivate your imagination, as well as implementing and cultivating your goals. If you wish to use the topic of imagination as a point of reflection during the week, I would love for you to share any insights that come up.
Please come back next week for the next installment of this series, and as always if you enjoyed what you read, please share on social network sites, subscribe to this site, and share this site with others!

Also please check out my book, “The Path: Using the Religions of the World as a Guide to Personal and Spiritual Development.” (Click on the book cover to view on Amazon.com)

17 comments

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  1. Dave

    Without the imagination, and without using it, there’s nowhere to go…..

    1. Jason E. Marshall

      Very true Dave!

  2. bneal817

    I sometimes stretch my imagination… just for fun, like a playful excercise. I just sit and let my mind’s eye wander, imagining the infinite vastness of the universe, and all the infinite possible places, sights and experiences… you can just imagine on and on forever, and it really expands your parameters!

    1. Jason E. Marshall

      Absolutely! I think exercising our imagination is a wonderful tool for expanding our horizons. Thanks for the great comment and tip!

  3. bneal817

    I sometimes stretch my imagination… just for fun, like a playful excercise. I just sit and let my mind’s eye wander, imagining the infinite vastness of the universe, and all the infinite possible places, sights and experiences… you can just imagine on and on forever, and it really expands your parameters!

    1. Jason E. Marshall

      Absolutely! I think exercising our imagination is a wonderful tool for expanding our horizons. Thanks for the great comment and tip!

  4. Deb Scarfo

    Been struggling with “stuff” recently and really needed your nudge to remind me the power of our imagination and positive thinking…thank you Jason! 🙂

    1. Jason E. Marshall

      You’re very welcome! I’m always glad when people find my ramblings useful! Take care! 😉

  5. Deb Scarfo

    Been struggling with “stuff” recently and really needed your nudge to remind me the power of our imagination and positive thinking…thank you Jason! 🙂

    1. Jason E. Marshall

      You’re very welcome! I’m always glad when people find my ramblings useful! Take care! 😉

  6. Chris

    Imagination is strongly connected to belief, in that one may not truly understand his/her own beliefs without being able to imagine consequence, worlds apart, utopias, etc. Imagination gives us the ability to not just share, but to revel in and personally experience stories and myth from generation to generation. The ability to delve deeply into one’s own mind and spirit through powers of imagination may be one of the most remarkable abilities of humanity (from this English teacher’s perspective).

  7. Chris

    Imagination is strongly connected to belief, in that one may not truly understand his/her own beliefs without being able to imagine consequence, worlds apart, utopias, etc. Imagination gives us the ability to not just share, but to revel in and personally experience stories and myth from generation to generation. The ability to delve deeply into one’s own mind and spirit through powers of imagination may be one of the most remarkable abilities of humanity (from this English teacher’s perspective).

  8. Daniela

    Hi,
    This is just to let you know that I have nominated you for the beautiful blogger award. If you chose to participate, (I understand completely if you do not wish to), please pick the award and rules from here: http://wp.me/p2v1s2-ph
    Best of Luck!
    Daniela

  9. Daniela

    Hi,
    This is just to let you know that I have nominated you for the beautiful blogger award. If you chose to participate, (I understand completely if you do not wish to), please pick the award and rules from here: http://wp.me/p2v1s2-ph
    Best of Luck!
    Daniela

  10. mindfulness4now

    I was just saying this exact same thing to my 21 year old son. Your son is sooooo cute. Thanks great lesson.

  11. mindfulness4now

    I was just saying this exact same thing to my 21 year old son. Your son is sooooo cute. Thanks great lesson.

  12. mindfulness4now

    PS I’m going to get my son to read your post as it’s coming from a young successful guy not his mum. Leanne

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