I have never considered my overactive imagination could be a blessing. It is something I have looked at as a hindrance that can get me into trouble and it sometimes does. So, what if I look at it from a different standpoint?
It is amazing how something can happen; someone will say something and the result in my mind can be a barrel of bats. Anything is possible. It can make me crazy and sometimes there is no stopping this craziness. My life can then become a catastrophe and usually in mind only. None of it has come to pass or at most only a little of it.
Then what happens when two or more people get involved? Gossip. And the craziness multiplies in numbers unbeknownst to everyone involved. Where does it end up? Who knows? It is impossible to even know how it might turn out.
Better to stay in my own arena where I can harness my own mind. But that can also be dangerous at times.
Do I have a writer’s overactive imagination? At this point I may have all of my characters, complete with their traits and personalities set in place. I have the storyline, the plot, and the outcome, and especially the crisis all ready to go. I am never short of material because my mind is in a never-ending merry-go-round ready to pick up on yet another story opportunity. All I need to do is get it written down.
It’s so easy, really. A look, a remark, a rumor – and away I go. Good? Bad?
There are ways I can at least slow the runaway train if I need to, depending on the situation. I need to know that I can have more control over my own mind and use it to my advantage instead of the other way around.
Journal or story it
Journaling has been one of my main tools for over half my life. I have journaled when feeling really down and the pen has been a saving grace.
When my mind is running amuck and I’m imagining all kinds of things the page is a great place to put things back into perspective. As I see my words laid out on the page I can see how crazy it is or … how much it makes sense. Writing it out can shed light on my thoughts and help me see solutions.
Another option is to make a story out of it. I write mostly non-fiction so fiction is not something I have done a lot of. However, I find getting my mental meanderings onto the page in a story can help me gain some understanding of the situation in a more creative way. I can create the outcome in any way I choose since I’m making it all up in my head anyway. In fact, to choose an outcome would make it a new possibility. The possibilities are endless.
Take time out
I find taking time out is crucial. To take time out is to create some distance from the situation for a period of time so I can clear my head. To clear my mind of the clutter I gather during the situation I can at least lessen the confusion and strong emotions that cloud my mind.
I love to walk especially in nature. It helps me get grounded as walking is very meditative. If I want to use anything from my imagination, walking is great to think things through in a more productive way.
My imagination is mine alone to do with what I wish. So, I need to be alone with it to shape it into what I need in the moment.
Accept idiosyncrasies and eccentricities as unique gifts
I have admired some people who are quirky and a little “kooky”. These are the people who accept themselves as they are – warts and all. People might consider some of them insane, yet they remain as they are and use their unique traits to their advantage. Their minds are in a place we might never really understand and certainly don’t need to.
I can use my mind to my advantage with all its meanderings and madness. I can use it to become more aware and therefore it can become my spiritual practice.
When my imagination takes me places that might seem a little dangerous I can step back and decide what I want to use and what to put aside. Either way I do not want to dismiss myself as needing only healing when what I really need is myself in this particular lifetime. This is acceptance of my uniqueness … crazy or not – it depends on who’s looking.
Joyful journeying.
Julie A. Vermette 