Just Imagine…

Right now, spring is in the air. 

If you live far north in places like Norway or Minnesota, it might still be cold and dark.

But even if there is snow on the ground and you must wrap yourself up in thick clothing, somehow there’s a bit of hope… a tiny crack in the ice.

Even if you can’t see it, you can ‘smell’ spring.

Close your eyes. 

Imagine the birds singing…

The snow melting…

The rosebuds emerging…

That wisp of green magically appearing on the tree in the garden…

You might not yet be able to SEE spring.

But you can certainly imagine it.

In 1799, William Blake wrote, “To me this world is all one continued vision of fancy or imagination… The imagination is not a state: it is the human existence itself.”

Blake had a point.

One of the greatest (and most astonishing) things about the brain is it literally doesn’t differentiate between what is real and what is imagined.

Even though most of us have grown up believing that ‘imagining’ and ‘seeing’ are totally different exercises, it turns out that they are actually indistinguishable.

In a very real sense, this means that the separation between our inner world and our outside world is a lot less clear than we previously assumed.

Today, neuroscientists, philosophers and linguists are all coming to the realization that the imagination, far from being superfluous, sits at the heart of human cognition. 

What we imagine has a tremendous impact on our mind and body.

This is profoundly important.

It means that, through your imagination, you can guide your narrative in a certain direction.  

Whenever you are sad or stressed, close your eyes and imagine yourself in your favorite place… a quiet sun-kissed beach, a cozy hearth with friends, an exhilarating hike up a mountain or sitting by a calm lake as the sun sets…

Your brain will respond chemically to the images you see.

You will feel more relaxed, happier and peaceful.

Simply by using your imagination, you will be able to create your very own calm corner and quiet sanctuary. 

Here’s to the brain.

Here’s to the peaceful influence of the imagination.

If you would like to explore some of these ideas with me, let’s get on the phone and chat.