imagination is more important than knowledge
What do you think?
Photo by Tobias Bjørkli
In a previous life, I used to be an early childhood educator. And this statement above, attributed to Einstein, was a cornerstone in my belief in setting up the conditions for children to learn. And as I progress into the Coaching work I do now, it is a foundational belief in how we all should be learning and approaching life. Cultivating imagination will acquire knowledge, but I am not entirely sure it works the other way around.
As everyday necessities & drudgery take precedence and add layers of ‘have to’s’ and ‘should’s’, ‘expectations’ and ‘responsibilities’, we seem to lose the capacity to connect with imagination and playfulness. Apart from all the other distractions, is it partly because we think it entitled, undeserving or irrelevant to do so - because we have a job to do? Or are we so entrenched in what we believe adulting looks like that we forget how to access creative thinking?
We can all pick up a book, scour the internet and learn something. Or we can go to a higher learning institution and listen to lectures delivered, sometimes by rote, by lecturers tasked with imparting a set curriculum, and then with a certain degree of discipline and hours clocked, we gain the knowledge, wave our piece of paper and we are done.
But does this actually get us to think outside of the box and to envision with broader perspectives? And now with AI, all we need to know is how to ask a question to get an answer.
As a director of an early learning centre, the program I did everyday involved finger painting, sand play, water play, building blocks… yes, PLAYING. I used to run a weekend workshop a few times a year for parents in gritty inner city Sydney to come and experience a day in the life of their 3 year old. Just so they could understand why we did these things everyday.
Let me tell you…it was fabulous. Parents began to understand the importance of process versus outcome, gave them a sense of how we learn about the world around us, how we communicate, problem solve, and explore possibilities. Even as adults…
…we learn how PLAY encourages imagination.
Because the problem with lack of imagination, is that it affects:
creativity
ingenuity
resourcefulness
inspiration
I like to think of P.L.A.Y as an acronym:
Problem-solving
Lateral thinking
Action
Yield ( what you produce, and also surrender to)
All things that help us in the real world
By products of imagination are creativity, wonder, and awe. These inspire us to:
inquire and explore the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding, enhance problem solving skills and be adaptable;
Look beyond what's right in front of us, seeking new experiences, asking considered, thoughtful questions;
Explore possibilities, giving us freedom from the rigidity that often binds us, encouraging self expression.
I sometimes struggle to define what I do. My years of experience and learning and studying has equipped me with skills and techniques that that are hard to put into a neat little box. I often use the umbrella term Wellbeing Consultant, depending on the audience, but that sounds a little wanky. I am partial to being a Consultant of Nourishment and Delight, but that maybe a little flaky. I sit on the periphery. Not being defined, but every offering helps you to simply feel good inside and out. However, it’s not a one way street. I expect you to do the work too, because nothing will change if you are not part of the process too.
So I let my name do the talking Moore Nourishing Life…the Art of Living Skilfully, Wholeheartedly and Delightfully.
How do we get there? We use many different strategies and practices - Yoga, meditation, hiking, workshops, retreats, conversations, telling stories to build techniques to support our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, and I make sure joy is embedded in there too.
Learning to take ourselves lightly, because sometimes life is not.
When you come to see me it’s all about the process not the outcome. Yes we need to have a big picture of where we want to be, but it’s the day to day actions, and mindset we bring that determines the quality of the outcome.
I always encourage you to come and explore, be curious and be playful with the perfectly imperfect version of you that is more than enough to move in your world - the one that doesn’t need the validation of others, or to do things the way others do.
We peel back the layers of conditioning and expectation through movement and connection. To take a peek at our stories and thought processes and give them a reframe, a lightness and playfulness to offload the baggage of fear, shame, and guilt that often filters the narrative of our lives.
Here’s a little story:
In my Hollywood storyline this could be a barista trying to crack on to me. Reality was that the note was simply my order of an extra hot turmeric latte ( I know I am one of THOSE people).
I could simply go with the reality narrative, but that would be kind of boring. Or I could believe otherwise and I have to tell you, this has given me no end of amusement, and I have woven it into my story.
I know what I choose to believe … this photo gets me through the days that I don’t feel so great or the world gets heavy. I am HOT baby.
Thinking I am Hot Monica helps when I am standing in front of the mirror, asking “does my arse looks big in my yoga pants?”
“No you are HOT” ( but who cares …it’s behind me, and I can’t see it anyway).
Or when I am trying to find something to wear, I hold myself differently - it changes my inner voice from Destructive Doris and Negative Nelly to … Hot Monica.
Imagination takes us out of the binary.
The right / wrong, black / white, this not that scenario.
Doing a reframe, being playful, opens up our peripheral vision to see the possible in everything. Our vision expands, we hold less baggage, are kinder, more considerate and a lot lighter within.
Try it. It may give your world a perspective that helps you to release the stuff you don’t need to concern yourself with, and help bring an extra smile to your days.
Thanks for being here
Love Hot Monica
Last email I said I would be adding a subscription model to this email - thank you for all the positive feedback. I really appreciate your interest and support. There will always be free elements. However as a Paid subscriber (less than $10 a month), when I finish the set up, you will get extra juicy bits with actionable steps…
The whole email, not just the first paragraph or two;
A Monthly 20 minute Webinar expanding on the ideas in the email & discussing practical solutions and strategies on how to integrate into your life. 1:1 coaching is expensive. This will help you find sustainability and a some accountability.
Access to short Meditations;
Access to Stretch Sessions;
A Recipe or two like this: https://moorenourishinglife.com/s/Pumpkin-Soup.pdf to help you build a repertoire of easy nourishing meals;
Access to my soon-to-be-released Podcast - The 3am Sessions once every fortnight;
Discounts on programs and early bird access to everything
I think it is a great model for empowering you to look after your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing with up to date research and information. I want to support you and give you agency in your world, creating community, belonging, connection along the way. Because we are always better together.
