Is creativity, imagination, wonder, and dreaming, practical and possible in all situations?
Yes. The short answer is yes.
In fact, all those practices can save your life.
I have read, and maybe you have to, about the accounts of prisoners of war, and of Nazi concentration camp survivors, and those who were in hiding places during that time–how they held onto their dreams of what their life would be like after they had their freedom.
That use of their imagination kept hope alive…and them alive.
Some of them found beauty even in the midst of their horrific conditions.
Sometimes it was a flower, the blue sky and puffy white clouds overhead.
Those in hiding could, and did, journal, write poetry, and draw.
They would try to keep some semblance of routine in having tea and food together.
Even gratitude was a saving grace for them.
Would I have been able to do the same?
I sometimes ask myself that question when I realize that I often have trouble remaining positive and hopeful and to keep dreams and creativity afire in the midst of my very comfortable life.
And that I sometimes even feel guilty in practicing these things.
But we need to learn something from those survivors.
Dreams, imagination, gratitude, seeing the beauty, tapping into our creativity is not just something we do as an elective or bonus in life–when we have extra time.
These practices are intrinsic to who we are as human beings.
They are life-savers.
They are what we should be doing every single day of our lives in whatever capacity we are able to do so.
They aren’t a waste of time.
Get that out of your head.
And then fill it with your dreams.
Think about it.
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM?
If you can’t think of even one dream, ask God to give you one.
He will.
I’m sure of it.
Because He placed His dreams in you.
But you have to allow yourself the freedom to dream.
We should never feel guilty about dreaming, using our imagination, and practicing our art–in whatever form that may take.
By the way, work doesn’t necessarily have to be drudgery.
Our work can actually feel like play–if we find our niche.
Believe that it’s possible.
And start dreaming.