"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there will ever be to know and understand." Albert Einstein
As a child Einstein was often chastised in school for ‘daydreaming’. He was not very good at staying inside the mental boxes of his time and often indulged in experimental thoughts. At age 16 he wondered what it would be like to ride a moving light wave at a constant speed like a surf board; these were his beginning notions on relativity. His imaginative thought experiments led to some of the most profound concepts of our time.
It is believed that the philosopher, poet and composer Nietsche wandered alone in nature for hour ruminating on his ideas. Darwin, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Steve Jobs are also known daydreamers. Isn’t it interesting that behavior labeled as non-productive by society has often proved to be radically productive and fruitful? If we are overly focused on measurable outputs, rote memorization of facts and figures, staying busy, getting things done, and living up to expectations, we may be depriving ourselves of opportunities to explore, create and grow in ways nurtured by the freedom of imagination.
Set aside some time to dream, to let go of linear thinking and free your imagination to wander and discover. Even a few minutes a day can open a window for thoughts to fly into your mind and start your creative juices to flow.
"This world is but canvas to our imaginations." Henry David Thoreau
As a child Einstein was often chastised in school for ‘daydreaming’. He was not very good at staying inside the mental boxes of his time and often indulged in experimental thoughts. At age 16 he wondered what it would be like to ride a moving light wave at a constant speed like a surf board; these were his beginning notions on relativity. His imaginative thought experiments led to some of the most profound concepts of our time.
It is believed that the philosopher, poet and composer Nietsche wandered alone in nature for hour ruminating on his ideas. Darwin, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Steve Jobs are also known daydreamers. Isn’t it interesting that behavior labeled as non-productive by society has often proved to be radically productive and fruitful? If we are overly focused on measurable outputs, rote memorization of facts and figures, staying busy, getting things done, and living up to expectations, we may be depriving ourselves of opportunities to explore, create and grow in ways nurtured by the freedom of imagination.
Set aside some time to dream, to let go of linear thinking and free your imagination to wander and discover. Even a few minutes a day can open a window for thoughts to fly into your mind and start your creative juices to flow.
"This world is but canvas to our imaginations." Henry David Thoreau
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