What if we could have anything we wanted? And what if it’s our own lack of imagination that holds us back? Of course, wisdom reminds us that life comes with many limitations. But perhaps we sell ourselves too short when we stop dreaming.
To be sure, many of our dreams might be unrealistic. And after a moment or two of thoughtful consideration they’re rightly dismissed. Part of maturity is learning we don’t get everything we want.
But there’s still value in dreaming up new possibilities – imagining what could be and not simply what is.
And we exercise our imagination in part by realizing we’re just dreaming.
Initially, we’re not acting on things; we’re not putting things in motion or going to the bank. We’re simply letting our imaginations wander as we think up new and creative ways to approach life. And we shortchange this process whenever we’re too quick to bring in practical considerations.
Certainly, before taking action we need to consider what’s realistic and wise to do. But we will likely miss many new possibilities when we don’t allow ourselves to first just dream.
For instance, what is your dream job, dream marriage, or dream sex life? What dreams do you have for adventure, for your community, or simply how you might like to spend your weekend?
We’re prone to stay stuck when we can’t imagine new possibilities. And while there’s a place for contentment and appreciating what we do have, this should not be confused with complacency – settling and merely playing it safe to avoid the risk of something new.
Be bold and courageous in your dreams. This expands your imagination as you think up new ways to bring more life and goodness into the world. And don’t let reasonable critiques hold you back when initially you’re just dreaming.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
