A Leap Of The Imagination

Daily Writing Prompt – Leap

I remember how as a child I was told that I had a vivid imagination, which will go away once you get older. “Then I never want to grow up,” I would reply.

I did grow up however, but still I find I have a vivid imagination – OK, maybe not like the one I had those days, but still pretty active.

I can conjure up scenes of my perfect job, my perfect life, etc, building the dialogue as if writing a screen-play. I can differentiate fact from fiction though, so don’t book my bed in the crazy farm just yet. As Matchbox20 put it: I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell.

This got me thinking, though, of other things we were supposed to lose when you mature.

Playing is a good example. But why? When I did my facilitation course, I was told that play is actually a good teaching method. I discovered it to be true. In my work as braille instructor I have encountered many tense people, worried that they might not feel the minuscule dots, or others that are coping with the loss of sight. I simply whip out my box of dominoes or various other tricks, and activate the fun button. It puts people at ease, keeps lessons stimulating, and yes, sometimes there is a point to the game. Apart from that, I think turning mundane tasks into a game can take the bore out of boring, leaving space for interest. Be imaginative – give it a thought and try it.

This brings me back to my original point: imagination. Why should we lose the use of imagination as we age? The reality of life is sometimes pretty hard, stark and cruel. I’m no shrink, but I think maybe your brain also needs a place where it can cuddle up and hide a little bit. OK, so some of us reach for a book in that moment, but hey, the author needed imagination to create this book which captivates you.

So let’s take a leap. If you like, go and play leap frog on the grass. Or maybe not. At best, take a leap into “the world of pure imagination; living there you’ll be free if you only choose to be.” – from Willy wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I know I haven’t been blogging much of late, so I’m challenging myself to take that leap. Where will we end up? Follow me and let’s see. 🙂

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