Do our imaginations leave us with wonderful memories? Carol recalls some adventurous imaginations that fill her life’s puzzle with light and positive memories.
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Streams of Sunshine
Sunshine streams in the large windows of my living room offering light, warmth and cheeriness. I love the time of year when the days stretch longer and longer giving more daylight hours to enjoy the brightness and chase away the shadows.
My eyes are drawn to the light in pictures, puzzles and photos rather than those that employ dark colours and heavy shadows. I enjoy the beauty portrayed by vibrant colours, softness of light in scenes because it reminds me of the positives in life.
Longing for the Positive
I long for the positive and if I am totally honest, for unattainable perfection. I do not think I am alone in this – it is likely more common than I realize. Yet too often I focus on the negative voices in my head reminding me of the problems, what has not been completed or what could have been done better. But life is made up of not only the shadows, the tough times, but fun events and positive memorable moments.
Adventurous Imaginations
I love to look back at photos of my children or grandchildren when they were younger and remember the fun they could have with an old stool, an overturned toy box, the wrapping from a present, an old cardboard box or banging on pots and pans. Simple, everyday items, but with their imaginations those things became part of an adventure and brought happiness to the children and those of us watching them.
A Stool and Imaginations at Work
An old stool, made by my grandfather for my folks, had been recovered several times. By the time that little old stool lived at my house it had seen many children sit on it, play beside it and adults use it as a footstool to rest their tired feet.
The worn, red velvety looking covering no longer looked bright and new. Patches of it showed their age to the point of needing recovering one more time and yet I left it just as it had become.
My grandchildren used to turn it over and climb inside the small opening in the bottom – a perfect size for a toddler. Gripping two of the legs in their little hands, the stool soon became their airplane, car, truck or boat depending on where their imaginations took them at that moment. I smiled and sometimes laughed out loud as I watched each of them take their turns with this stool. It always annoyed them and amused me when they finally grew big enough they no longer fit into the opening.
Learning New Things
Now I watch my grandchildren, most of whom are teens or young adults, and see other ways they express the light in their lives. It brings a smile to my face when I see them try something new, learn to cope with different situations and overcome fears. I love the hugs, the smiles and times together.
One of them is an artist, another makes amazing furniture pieces from wood and others follow various education and creative interests whether it is creating something with yarn, taking photos, writing a poem, dance, act or making yummy treats in the kitchen. Yet these bright and light spots are not all that make up their lives, for shadows exist for them just like they do for all of us.
Imaginations Fueled by Creativity
Our imaginations fuel creativity and enable us to have fun in a variety of ways. It adds to the adventure of life and dispels some shadows by adding the bright spots to our days. I need to look at ways in my daily life, aside from watching the expressiveness of others, and remember how to incorporate these fun moments into my own life. It might be a chat with a friend, scrapbooking old family photos which helps me take a trip down memory lane, making a homemade card to brighten the life of someone else or playing along with the children. Laughter feeds the positive as well. Have you laughed lately, until your sides hurt and tears come to your eyes? I love getting together with friends to enjoy some chuckles, smiles and fun times. Occasionally the chuckles turn to a full laugh and the negatives begin to fade away, at least temporarily.
Cherished Memories
We all love the light parts of the puzzle pieces of our lives. It is good to cherish those memories and enjoy the brightness of the present. My challenge for each of us is to take some time to enjoy the little things that bring a smile to our faces. I think we also need to take some time to reflect on these two questions which I know help me focus on looking for the positives the bright spots in the picture of life. How do we preserve the times of light in our lives so we can look at them during the times of shadows? How do we let others know how much they brighten our day?
Enjoy creativity and have fun with your imagination to add brightness to the puzzle pieces of your life.
Images Courtesy Of:
Woman in Sunlight – mcredifine
Sunshine – WenPhotos
Grandparent and grandchild – emailme3
Footstool – PublicDomainArchive
Child Artist – weinstock
Writing – StockSnap
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life.
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential. She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope.
She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren. Visit her website carolscorner.ca
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