In the school of imagination...

What do you do when problems bite hard, sinking teeth into you and draining you? How do you cope? 

I think about my grandmothers who, despite the troubles they encountered, in spite of how they felt, carried on with the tasks at hand.

I am pleased to say that, like my grandmothers, I tend to manage (though I do struggle immensely, emotionally). I plod my way through my chores, take care of my mother, the cooking, the cleaning. 

Unfortunately, certain things get parked in the corner until I can dust them, shine them again. Writing here was one of those activities that I've put away for a while.

Thank goodness though, I've been doing creative writing, and it has helped a LOT! Never, ever underestimate the power of creative work to lift you. Remember how we turned to creative activities during COVID? We discovered new recipes, we knitted, did embroidery, we sang, listened to music, we learnt to draw, write poetry. 

I hope, if you're seeing this, you've continued exploring your creative side. Here are three solid reasons why:

Playing a musical instrument keeps the mind sharp

Doing art, exploring, experimenting, no matter how small the object, helps us to develop our imagination, gives us new ways of seeing our lives (have a look at lisi-tana's latest exploration of the small things we take for granted but which complete the pictures in our daily lives: aaand...done).

(A most delightful little piece of art by Lisi-tana.)

Writing poetry is healing.

We don't have to be famous, wealthy, supremely talented, to explore the Arts. We don't have to try to do it for a living. We simply need to be curious.

Here are a couple of questions to trigger your imagination: what can you do with plastic bottles, straw, sticks, old pens? That empty box, what could you make with it? 

I've seen plastic bottles be used to make bricks, green houses, boats. I've seen doll houses made with cardboard boxes. 

Can you think of anything else?

Who knows what you can achieve by playing with your imagination, what fantastic creation you can come up with, what great business idea you can develop.

Check the Money List for suggestions to start an Imagination Business.

You’ll never know until you’ve tried. Go on. Try. The possibilities are endless.