***Do You Ever Imagine Yourself to be Something Else?

When you were a child, did you ever imagine yourself to be something else…like a princess, a cowboy, an astronaut, a doctor, or some other character. I did. I would transform myself into a particular character for a period of time and have a wonderful adventure.

My favorite was to imagine I was a fashion show producer and I would use the sheets my mother had washed and hung on the line as the curtains for my stage. Then I would borrow the clothing that was hanging beside the sheets as costumes for the dogs and cats that were to portray the models in my shows. Often, I could hear the orchestra playing as the curtain opened. Of course, I was the only one that heard it and there were times when my furry pets had no desire to parade across my make-shift stage, but I would occupy myself for hours producing these shows. Interesting that when I grew up, I went into modeling and then to producing fashion shows with human models, real orchestras, and fabulous stages. There’s just no place in the world that has better stages tha
Las Vegas and I have had the honor of producing incredible shows in many of the major showrooms in our city. Why am I telling you this?

Because you can use this same skill today. Imagine yourself being the person you want to become. Shakespeare said, “Assume a virtue if you have it not.” In other words, act the part. Just imagine you are the person you would like to be and it won’t be long until you realize you are. “Oh sure,” you say. “That sounds easy. Who are you kidding?” I can just hear you.

It’s true. The subconscious part of our minds causes us to feel and act in agreement with what we imagine to be true about ourselves and our environment. When we realize our behaviors are a result of the images and beliefs our minds create, we free ourselves to use our imaginations as though our thoughts are reality. If we see ourselves performing a certain way, our subconscious mind perceives we are actually performing that way. The subconscious doesn’t know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. It only knows what we tell it. We can think ourselves into success and prosperity by concentrating on the good we have now and focusing on a positive future. Whatever thoughts you hold in your conscious mind give direction to your subconscious. Whatever you impress on the subconscious mind will be what you experience in your life. William James, the father of American psychology said, “The power to move the world is in your subconscious mind.” When have we ever needed this power more than now?

Your imagination is like a muscle. It can be strengthened with exercise the same as physical exercise strengthens your body.Challenge your old assumptions. Avoid predictable patterns. Let your imagination soar. Change your angle so you view things from new perspectives. Make new connections. Shake things up a bit and take risks. Critics come in two forms…other people and in your own head. Ignore both. Lighten up and have some fun.

Use your imagination to create some wonderful adventures. Maybe you no longer imagine yourself as a cowboy, an astronaut, or a princess, but there are so many other possibilities waiting for you when you set yourself free from the limitations of other people’s expectations, as well as your own. I have visualized cars, homes, health, finances, and talents at one time or another in my life. And, they have all become reality.

There is a technique to how to imagine or visualize things into being. First, you have to believe that this can be true for you. Then you must write your goals as though this is already yours, cut out pictures of the car, the financial abundance or the healthy body that you wish to have and post them where you can see them on a regular basis. Each time you see the picture, stop, breathe, and thank God for supplying you with whatever it is you are wishing for. Sometimes I make a plan of how to get what I want; sometimes I ask God just to show me the way; other times I just believe the abundance of whatever it is, is mine.

Nelson Mandela said that during the 27 years he spent in prison, every day he envisioned himself walking free. That seemed to me a very long time for staying focused on a goal, yet, he did it and transformed a nation. You can do it, too! Every day you have the opportunity to imagine a better life…..Just do it…and before long, you will discover, you have made it!