Imagination and the Unlimited Possibilities

The readings this week from Liu and Noppe-Brandon really hit home for me because I feel it is closely related to something that I have been going back and forth with over the past few weeks. Going into this year, I wanted to completely change my mindset in regards to my studies, mainly because I almost drove myself insane with stress last year. After doing something heavy self reflection, something that came to mind was that I often get caught up in what I cannot accomplish rather than what I can. I found that this idea of imagination spans not only new research and innovative technologies, but also our daily lives. I spend my leisure time not thinking about what needs to be done at the moment, but considering the possibilities regarding my future and imagining where I would like to be. Ironically, I have found this to generate almost a sense of motivation and energy within myself that then drives me to accomplish more in my present life.

Have you ever took a moment to wondered why it is many adults say they like spending time with children? How being around them almost grounds you and makes you think back to a more simpler time, when you could essentially come up with an solution for just about anything? As a child, its likely that we spend most of our time imagining great things and had this mindset that the possibilities in life are endless. As time goes on though, reality sets in and seems to puts out that burning flame we once had for life. The great thing, as noted in these readings, is that your imagination can be cultivated an increased at essentially any age. It just takes the right mindset to do so; you have to make a conscious effort on a daily basis. If you consider all that the human mind can store and how our elevated cognition provides a foundation for us to put things, ideas, concepts, etc. together in ways that no one else can imagine, it seems as if not taking the time to imagine the possibilities is almost a waste of all that knowledge.

Another thing these readings made me think about is how often when new innovative things are released, there are always a handful of people who say they thought of that thing long before it was even released. It makes me wonder why sometimes we would rather sit on an idea and let someone else bring it to fruition, rather than sharing it with everyone in hopes of being able to one day bring that idea to life. Not implying that I’m nesting any great ideas, just a last minute thought!