Into Imagination
The hum of the road beneath the SUV's spinning wheels took us on an adventure beyond the destination of the snowy slopes we eagerly approached. Since there was no time warp button for the 15 hour drive, once again, audiobooks saved our souls and sanity as we traversed the never ending expanse of road tripping miles across Texas and northward to the beckoning dry, fluffy, and magical snow of Colorado.
To nourish our imaginations as the miles rolled by, this road trip we delved into the exciting world of the classic The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss, the personal journey within The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and transformational blooming in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. All three a capital idea (our new favorite family word thanks to Will Robinson)! Our seven year old daughter was equally captivated by all three audiobooks. Capital again! As homeschooling parents, this clandestine educational approach worked so brilliantly, that every time we approached the SUV, our daughter urged us to turn on the story before we even situated ourselves into our car seats. All the while, the study books remained at home, yet effortlessly and unsuspectingly learning ensued. Capital!
A View from Wolf Creek Ski Area, CO
The Swiss Family Robinson
Because I am thrifty, I found an Audible reading of The Swiss Family Robinson that was included in our membership which supported an adventure lasting over 14 hours one way. Capital! From shipwreck, to survival, to thriving, we embarked with the Robinsons on these adventures and challenges on the untamed islands in the East Indies.
Although a fictional story, it nonetheless expressed the truth in the power of the imagination, both in Wyss’ creation of this courageous family, but also in contemplating what will power and fortitude it took to survive if one were to experience what these characters braved. I came away feeling more awe for the human imagination and creativity.
With all the creative husbandry, the industrious use many animals and all their body parts for functional supplies, as well as, Will’s engineering resourcefulness, I also gained a deeper reverence for our connection to nature and animals. Our interconnected cycle through the ages has afforded us all the inventions in which we have at our disposal today, so much of which we take for granted.
I may have been a vegetarian in the past, even a vegan for a short stint, I love animals and I care for our planet, however, the Robinson family story uncovered the predicament many of us would face attempting to survive in the wild without utilizing the benefits of animals; as food, as "beasts of burden”, and as materials necessary to create functional items. As much as I love animals as companions, I also accept their necessity as resources. Many of the products we use today that are no longer of animal origin were imagined by humans and created from animals in their development. The Swiss Family Robinson may have been a fabricated story, yet if offers a reality check on how blessed we are today to truly live well thanks to the ubiquitous imagination of the human mind.
Enjoying Wolf Creek Ski Area, CO
The Alchemist
Ahhh, The Alchemist, a Paulo Coelho story worth repeating, and we have many times through the years. This time, however, was our daughter's first encounter with the main character, Santiago, and his personal legend adventure. She was enthralled.
Through the characters Santiago encounters and the temptation of leaving his fate to Umin and Thummin, I revelled in the struggles Santiago endured in his effort to take responsibility for his choices and his destiny.
There are so many great quotes from this book. Here are a few of my favorites:
“Unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them — the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.”
“It's this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie.”
“If a person is living out his Personal Legend, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
“The boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind, and saw that he could have the same freedom. There was nothing to hold him back except himself.”
“Where ever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”
Be sure your heart is focused on what you want to create in your life. Once again, the power of the imagination and the willingness to take action in new direction sets the main character on an exciting and awakening adventure.
Our Adventure - The Smiles of Freedom on the Slopes
The Secret Garden
As devout and caring homeschooling parents who spend copious hours with our daughter, The Secret Garden’s beginning rests hard on my heart seeing the protagonist, a child, arriving into this world with many challenges. The character development certainly worked on my emotions.
However, by the end of the book multiple characters’ lives are improved for the better when they realize “the magic is within you”.
Quotes I fancied:
“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”
“Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something was pushing and drawing in my chest and making me breathe fast. Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing. Everything is made out of magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us. In this garden - in all the places.”
Again, imagination fueled my the energy of wanting to become, to manifest, sets the stage for positive change.
From The Back Seat
While listening and inspired by The Secret Garden our daughter started her own story in her Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids, a challenging activity book to aid the task of surviving car confinement as a youth and minimizing screen time. Another capital idea!
Our 7 Year Old Daughter’s Imagination at Work During the Audiobook Drive
Imagination is Everything
My greatest takeaway from all three books is, can you guess… imagination is everything. So beautifully written by Dr Joseph Hartt, “Our inner world, fueled by unwavering belief and vivid imagination, dictates the tapestry of our outer experiences.”
Each of us has a canvas of life to paint how we choose. “Imagination isn’t merely a tool of visualization, it’s the very fabric of being, the fertile ground where thoughts become seeds and blossom into tangible experiences,” once more by Hartt.
As we enmesh into life’s daily minutia, it’s easy to lose sight of our power. When we take a moment to meditate, manifest, visualize, or pray, coming from a space of compassion and gratitude, our imaginations can ignite the creative energy within us.
Like in the inspiring children’s book What The Road Said written by Cleo Wade, “I said to the Road, Where do you lead? The Road said, Be the Leader and find out.”
From the Pages of What The Road Said
Simply put, the universe conspires to the nature of your song. Your song is your imagination. Sing your song! Lead your way!
Sincerely,
Brit-Simone
The Eternal Optimist
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