Imagine, if you will...

How real is your imagination?  There are those that would argue that imagination is not real at all and that it really doesn't exist because it's all in your head.  I do agree that "it's all in your head" because everything is all in our heads.  Everything that we touch, see, taste, smell happens in our heads as our minds process the stimulus.

I do not agree that imagination is not real, for the simple truth that it makes you feel.  What's more is that our imaginations create measurable physiological changes or responses.  To me, that is real.  Human beings naturally use their imaginations constantly and for many reasons.  One of those reasons is a form of mostly unconscious training.  When we imagine ourselves in a situation, whether it's a pleasurable situation or an unpleasant one, we're test driving our responses to that imagined situation.  Producers of motion pictures know this all too well.  But I digress.  

Slogans such as "Think Positive!" and "Look on the bright side!" and even "... walk a mile in their shoes!" are all tips to exploring our own reactions and responses to any given subject.  I also find them to be good advice, by the way.  Exploring in such a manner is something that we all do and many of us are very aware of the benefits of doing so.  Relaxation techniques, meditation, or simply finding our "happy place" are all just other words for guided imagery.  The beauty of practicing your own imagery is that the only limitation is your own imagination!

There are countless sources available to help us discover the deeper abilities of ourselves when we use our imaginations actively and for a targeted response.  Dreaming works in much the same manner, but are much harder for most people to direct to any degree.  Our minds have trouble sometimes determining what's real and what is not.  Have you ever had a memory that you were absolutely certain unfolded just as you remember it to have happened and only later to find out that you remembered incorrectly?  That was the way that it happened.  Then it changed.  What if we apply that line of thinking to something about ourselves or to an opinion we hold?  That's right!  We can change.  We can feel better, perform better, and even physically feel better simply by imagining those things and exposing ourselves to the real physical effects we encounter.

As a statement of proof, I can tell you that I can control the speed of my pulse simply by thinking about it.  Faster or slower, up and down, it's an interesting ability.  I can also raise the surface temperature of my hands by a few degrees in the same manner.  I have no idea what benefit being able to do this is, but it's neat all the same.  Of course, you'd have to either see it to believe it or maybe do it yourself.

As a result of our busy society and our busy lives, we see the majority of guided imagery focusing on reducing stress, unwinding, relaxing, but we can use imagery to excite ourselves.  We can use it to overcome fears and apprehensions (by first experiencing them safely and controlled by us).  We can boost our self-esteem, confidence and performance, relieve pain, and have a positive effect in just about any scenario we can imagine.

If you already don't use your imagination in such a targeted way, challenge yourself to try and see how you feel afterward.  I think that you'll find that when it comes to yourself, even the sky is not the limit.

If you'd like to read a thoughtful life lesson my son Lucas taught me many years ago about the importance of imagination, I'd would love it if you read http://tim-buckley.blogspot.com/2011/09/big-lesson-from-little-boy.html too.  It's an underlying thread in almost everything that I write.

With love,

timmy