Imagine life if you lived right in it. Like think about children. Kids are completely immersed in their make believe worlds. I remember having a nerf sword fight with our son when he was about 5 years old and I though: “I might die today. This kid is in full imagination mode. He’s the knight and I am the dragon he intends to slay!” As many times as I said, “Take it easy!” He kept swinging and, frankly, whooping me with his speed and battle skills! It took weeks for my knuckles to recover from those battles — though I will say they were intensely invigorating!
At the same age, our daughter worked on drawings for hours. Always asking for white paper and a black sharpie. The drawings were highly detailed and spectacular. Each told detailed stories of animals living in apartment buildings and offered a glimpse into their lives. But as a true artist, if she didn’t like the drawing for some reason, she’d crumple it up…and start all over again. Today she might ask us: “Why are all my pictures wrinkled?” And the answer would be because we saved them from the garbage.
The passion each of our children displayed was genuine and pure. And, every time I recall it, I smile. I think about how each lived those moments engrossed in their imaginations — blurring the lines of reality. It’s a marvelous skillset when channeled into adulthood. Can you imagine living life with such great passion and intensity? How could you ever lose? There would be no losing. Just trying again with a deepening desire to exert our effort with the most commitment we can apply. Building upon our previous day’s efforts. Living right in it.
Whatever you’re doing, live right in it. Listening to music? Try to hear each instrument and how they layer upon each other. Try to identify the rhythm vs. lead guitars vs. the bass. Reading a book? Think about the contents of the page or chapter. Working? Give it your all. Conversing? Listen quietly and ask questions without a need for answers.
The joy of living is found largely in living with heart, thought, determination and connection to the moment.
Thanks for visiting! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience I am a perception analyst & hypnotherapist who works with private clients to help increase their awareness of how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally. Book an appointment here.
I share inspiring and actionable ideas for free via my podcast, on my website: DianGriesel.com and also on my social media accounts which you might like to follow.
