Lamisha Serf-Walls

Missing Link-Imagination

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I recently took a poll of my Facebook friends to find out what it was exactly that they felt they needed to tackle their ‘ultimate dream’.  I wanted to find out what my potential clients are struggling with so I can create more resources, programs, and content to assist them.  The responses were interesting to say the least because what they were lacking falls into one of three categories: resources (time, money, space), belief in self (courage, confidence), or knowing where to start.  I knew as soon as I read their comments that I was on to something because these were many of the things I struggled with in the last 2 years as I contemplated how I was going to begin my life coaching business.

While all of the responses fell into one of the three categories, most people said the lack of time, money, or space to create their ‘ultimate dream’, was the thing they were missing.  This isn’t all that surprising when you figure how many people are juggling a multitude of responsibilities and are simply trying to keep up with their busy schedules.  From what I gathered, a lot of the people who responded in this way had some idea of how to couragemake their dream a reality, but they only saw one way to make it happen.

Many of the responders also said that they were lacking the courage and confidence to make it happen in addition to the resources.  So before even setting out to achieve their ultimate dream, they were felt like they just couldn’t do it.  It seemed just too big to tackle right now.  Interesting…

The last response came from people not really knowing how to begin.  These are people who know what they want to do, but just haven’t put anything into action to find a way to make it happen.  These may be people who feel like their dream is so far out of reality, they can’t even fathom how to make it happen.  In fact, they may not even allow themselves to think about it too much because it is that far out.

So what do all these people have in common?  They are all using their logic to get them from point A to point B.  They are using their memories, knowledge, current reality, and logical thinking in order to figure out how to make their dreams come true and if they come up against a roadblock, many people tend to give up.  I think I have a better way of doing this.  imagination-11

Instead of looking at the reality of your situation (the responsibilities, bills to pay, kids to care for, schedules to keep up with, the fact that you have never had enough money to travel, or you are too afraid to fail etc.) and using that to find the most realistic way of doing things, I encourage you to use your imagination. Out of the box thinking allows you to be open to other possibilities of how your dream may come to fruition.  Instead of seeing a straight and narrow path to your goal or dream, you see a beautiful web of possibilities with fun stuff all along the way!  It’s there that you begin to feel the magic.

When you tap into your imagination and follow what feels good and right for you, the journey is enjoyable too.  You aren’t constantly taking score of where you are in relationship to where you want to be, but instead are enjoying the little nuggets along the way.  One piece leads to the next and to the next and before you know it you have unlocked your potential to create the ultimate dream regardless of what that entails.

There are an infinite number of possibilities to creating the life of your dreams and by hanging onto the one most likely way (in your mind), you are blocking out all the rest.  The only true limitation in achieving the life of your dreams, is the illusion you can’t do it, don’t have the means, or that it’s just too good for you, because the truth is you can have all you need.

Are you ready?

Imagination vs Reality

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In speaking with a friend today, I was reminded of how many of us live in a world where many of the choices we make in life revolve around what we deem “realistic”.  Many of us are working, living, and simply planning our lives in a way that allows us to get through the next week, month, or year without ever focusing on what it is we want in this life.  We have somehow allowed our lives to be a matter of survival instead of a life of abundance and joy.

The creative thought we once had as a child has been put to sleep while reality has infiltrated our minds, giving us a false sense of security.  We are made to believe that we must follow a path that makes the most sense and stick with it.  After working and living a mediocre, just getting by life, we may be able to retire and then get to the things we always dreamed about.

But isn’t that backwards?

I always thought the sequence of events from High School to College to Adulthood seemed too swift for my liking and nonsensical.  How in the world was I supposed to decide what I wanted to do with my life when I hadn’t ever explored the world?  Shouldn’t I have some knowledge of my choices before I blindly choose a career?  As they say: hindsight is 20/20.

Since I didn’t know any other way, I followed what many of my peers were doing.  I decided on a career that I thought would carry me forward for the rest of my life.  I decided to major in Exercise Science and minor in Dance.  Seemed easy enough right?  The truth is, I didn’t think doing something else was an option.  I didn’t know I could use my imagination to create the life of my dreams.  I thought in order to be successful you had to find a box that you fit in and follow the path like many other boxes before you.  It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized I could get out of that box and meander along a new path on my own.  I finally realized, I do have a choice.  You have a choice too.

Consistently focusing on what you or other people think is reasonable or realistic in terms of your career or other life choices is the perfect way to maintain a mediocre life.  If you allow reality (however you define it) to dictate your choices in life, you are bound to feel like there is something missing.

It is only when we allow ourselves to reawaken the imagination that lies dormant in so many of us, that we can finally take a much-needed step outside of our comfort zone.  A comfort zone that has kept us in one place and in some ways has limited our personal and sometimes professional growth.  Sure it can be somewhat scary, but it can also be incredibly rewarding and an amazing ride.

The next time you make a choice, whatever choice that may be…consider if it is coming from a place of “reality” or a place somewhere in your imagination.  I think you will find your creative choices will make life, not only more interesting, but wildly fulfilling.

Use your imagination to create the life of your dreams.  In your imagination anything goes!  And remember thoughts become things so as you ponder the most fulfilling life you ever imagined, you are creating a flow of energy to make those dreams become your future reality.