IMPROVE YOUR CREATIVE IMAGINATION

How do you improve your creative imagination? Start with the simple steps outlined here.
Creative imagination is more than just active imagination. To be able to actively imagine things, to see and hear things in one’s mind, is an important ability. It doesn’t have to involve much creativity, though, does it? Daydreaming, for example, is a process of imagination. It can consist of an elaborate fantasy world, but one full of all the things that many people think about.
Creative imagination, then, has to include the ability not just to imagine things, but to imagine original things. It is seeing things that others don’t see, and coming up with new ideas. So how do you cultivate this?
Creative Imagination 101
First, exercise your basic imagination. It can be as simple as thinking in pictures more, or listening to music in your mind. Play little ‘movies’ in your mind, until you can watch them on command. This is a simple process, but for those of us that can’t easily do it naturally, it can take a lot of practice. Fortunately, it is not an unpleasant activity.
The second part of developing your creative imagination is to get more creative in your thinking and imagining. Start by paying attention to your creativity. Our subconscious minds give us more of what we pay attention to. Ignore creative aspects of your life, and you’re telling your subconscious they are unimportant. On the other hand, if you note when you’re creative, your subconscious mind will start feeding you more creative ideas.
Different surroundings can also encourage your creativity. Want more creativity in your love life? Hike up a mountain with your partner. Do you write? Try sitting on a roof to write. Want new ideas for your business? Take a notebook to the park. A change of environment can get your thinking out of its ruts.
You can play games that exercise your creative imagination. One such game uses a technique called ‘concept combination.’ Alone or with other players, you combine random concepts or things in new ways, to see who has the best idea. A thermometer and a billboard, for example, could generate an idea for a sign that checks the weather and adjusts the message accordingly (‘Come in out of the heat for a cold beverage,’ or ‘Come in out of the rain and warm up with our gourmet coffee.‘).
Don’t Wait For Creative Imagination
Creative inspiration certainly can strike at any time, but it strikes more often when there is work instead of waiting. So if you want to come up with creative inventions, start mentally redesigning everything you see. Imagine a better bicycle, a faster mail service, or a better chair. Continue this for three weeks, and it will become a habit.
Of course, creative imagination goes beyond solving specific problems or inventing things. Truly creative minds are always coming up with the questions too, not just the solutions. If you want to be more creative all the time, focus on three things:
Changing Your Perspective.
A child might think that working just to not work (to retire) is silly. Thinking from that perspective might give you ideas for how to make money doing things you enjoy. Seeing the world as a bear sees it might give a painter imaginative new ideas. Looking at things from a customer’s perspective is a sure way to find creative improvements for a business. See everything from several perspectives.
Challenging Your Assumptions.
What if restaurants didn’t have employees? Visitors pay a machine as they enter, feed themselves at a buffet, and everything is as automated as possible, so one owner-operator could run a large restaurant alone. Challenge all your assumptions for practice. Do you really have to pay rent? Do swimming pools need water? Can exercise be a bad thing?
Let Your Ideas Run Wild.
Does a flying bed seem silly? It could lead to the concept of a helium mattress. When you get off it in the morning, it floats out of the way, up to the ceiling. Perfect for small apartments. Don’t stifle your creativity. Relax, and let ideas come. You can always discard them later.
For these techniques to be a habitual part of your thinking, use them regularly. Since it takes several weeks to develop a habit, remind yourself to use them each day. Jot a few of your favorite techniques on a card and carry it with you. Look it over throughout the day and apply the techniques to anything. Soon, you’ll have a more creative imagination......................Just the way I want it........From Nigerian Entertainment Today.

MY MEMORIES

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WHAT ARE YOU SO PASSIONATE ABOUT?

  
Tracy was not around to let me into her room yesterday evening.That was what I concluded because I had to go in after having knocked for sometime without a,"come on in"I had assumed she is in one of her moods only to find out she was not in there.Before I could call her to know if she is in the convenience,the sight of what I saw,made me speechless.Tracy had piece of papers littered all over the room.I managed to see where I matched.I tried to figure out what on earth Tracy would be thinking to have her whole room littered with used squeezed papers to no avail.I became afraid that my friend may have become crazy. My fear was confirmed when I started unfolding the papers and over ten papers I stretched had similar if not exact things written on them.I felt pity for my friend and was trying to think out ways of helping her when she opened the door and I noticed she has a new exercise book in her hand .Probably that was what she had dashed out to go and buy.
    She stood at the door looking embarrassed.I felt a little edgy.
"Sorry for the mess." She said as she walked pass me and dropped the exercise book on a table.
"Are you sure you are alright,Trace?" I managed to ask.
"I am"She answered offhandedly and took her position on her reading table."Why do you ask?"
I motioned her to the littered papers."What is the meaning of all these papers?"
She hissed."I was in a hurry to rush out to buy this exercise book that was why I could not pack them away before you entered.Don't worry"She smiled."I will do that very soon when am through with this."
"My point exactly Tracy.What are you writing with all these papers?"
She smiled heartily."I think I have found my purpose Venn.I am trying my hands on writing.These paper you see littered around are my failed attempts.Maybe I will improve with time.I heard the man that invented the the florescent light failed one thousand times and got it at the one thousand and one times.So, am not gonna be bothered over how many papers I have to waste because there gonna be my one thousand times attempts before perfection"
I could not hold my amusement and had to laugh.Tracy became unhappy and changed her countenance.
"Why are you laughing at me? I am trying to find my purpose here and your laugh is not encouraging at all.You make me look stupid"
"I am sorry Tracy.It's just that am so surprise you picked writing.With due respect,you and I knows you are not good in writing.Why not look for something you are so good in?"
"Did you see that report on Forbes 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa?"
"Yes I have.What about that?"
"Chinua Achebe was honored as the most powerful celebrity in Africa!It is so unbelievable that Chinua Achebe ranked ranks number one out of a list of 40 most influential celebrities which also include actors, cerebral authors, musicians, movie producers, supermodels, TV personalities and athletes selected from all across the continent of Africa with his writing."
"Tracy, do you have a passion for writing?"
"What sort of question is that?I want to be the most powerful celebrity one day in Africa and I believe strongly that only writing can make me achieve that.I can't still reconcile the fact that Chinua Achebe was able to beat Didier Drogba, Akon,Don Jazzy,My Genevieve and others in the list"
"Chinua Achebe will not always remain the most powerful celebrity in Africa forever.It will definitely revert to another person tomorrow who may not be a writer.Tracy you don't have to push your hands on writing because Chinua Achebe succeed with that. Be yourself. Do not try to imitate another person.You can only succeed if writing is your purpose and you can only find what your purpose is by finding what you are so passionate about.So, may I pose the question."What are you so passionate about"?"What is that thing you can always  do with ease and in turn,gives you satisfaction?"
Tracy kept staring at me and at last she gasped."Venn,you are just one in a million.What would I have done without you?"
"I think I have to help you here.Tracy you can excel in music.You have a very beautiful voice and sings so well.why not devote your time to music."
"Venn you are an angel.I have found my purpose finally"
"With that,am sure you will one day become the most powerful celebrity in Nigeria"
We laughed and I helped Tracy pack away the papers.

YOU CAN DO BETTER

I had to force myself into Tracy's room after having knocked for several times without a response.To my utmost surprise,she was so much awake,sitting on her bed and moping at the ceiling.I came closer and feel her temperature.It was normal.She looked at me feeling embarrassed.
"Are you alright,Tracy?"
"Am okay.Why do you ask?"
"You scared the hell out of me"
"How?"
"Do you know how many times I knocked at that door before I let myself in?"
She gasped in surprised."Am so sorry dear.I didn't even know you knocked"
I sat by her side."Now tell me.What are you thinking this time around?"
She sighed."I have a lot on my head"
"Like?I can help you with the loads"
She grinned. “May be you can”
“So, open up to me”
“I feel so pity for my self. I am good for nothing”
“Hie!Hie! Tracy, why are you sounding like this? Don’t be hard to yourself”

“Been thinking of what you told me last time. I have not been able to come up with anything”

“Is that it?”

“Not only that.I……”

“Wait Tracy” I said cutting in. “ Before you continue, I’d like you to make a positive statement about yourself”

“I don’t understand”

“People who have made it today have never cursed themselves the way you did some moments ago. They have always been positive and optimistic in everything they pursue.That is the first step toward greatness. You have to believe in yourself. A negative remark about yourself  is often a direct prayer to the devil. The devil capitalizes on them.So…”

I looked questioningly at her.

“What?”

“Am waiting….”

“Ok.Am good for something”

I smiled. “That’s my babe.Everyone has some thing they are good in.So tell me the rest”

“That Phoneix gala was a kind of an eye opener for me. I have not been able to focus after that. It was a good thing that Adesuwa Onyenokwe, the publisher and Kemi Ogunleye, the editor, decided to celebrate Nigerian women as they celebrate fours years of  TW Magazine" She nodded." It was so glamorous. But I felt so empty after that”

“Why would you?”

“Simply because I can’t picture myself being like them and I want to be like them. I want to be celebrated!”

“There she goes again. Those women you saw that day have always maintained a positive line of thinking; they have always been strong willed and resolute in their decisions”

“What are you saying, Venn? What on earth will I ever do to be the match of Grace Alele Williams, Matriarchs like Joke Silva, who I must say, exudes grace and amiable Genevive Nnaji. Venn, I think they were born to excel”

“How wrong you are Tracy. No one is born a genius. At birth, the brain is like a clean slate. Nothing is written on it. It gets filled with time. These women are just like me and you. The only thing that made them outstanding in the society is their unwavering quest for knowledge, ambition and zeal, will, determination for success, focus, confidence and hard work. If you arm yourself with all these, you can even do better”

“It’s so hard to believe. You mean I can match these women and can even overtake them?”

“Yes Tracy. Find your purpose and start something today. Let it be within your purpose. It is very important. Pursue that which makes you happy. Have a positive frame of mind. Aim at the top. Believe in yourself. Work extra hard. You will definitely do better than them”

Tracy nodded in agreement.

 Yea, we can do better than them if we  you chose to.Its all about decision making.

WHAT IS YOUR LEGACY?

I was working on my official seat as a Secretary this morning while sipping a cup of coffee to cool off stress. My colleague and flatmate, Tracy barged into my office with a newspaper which she threw at me. Embarrassed, I looked from her mean face to the newspaper. I disregarded her, pushing the paper aside and continued with my work. She felt insulted and carried my cup of coffee to attract my attention. I was amused.

"Venn this is not a laughing matter at all. I hate it when you treat me like a piece of shit.Why would you
  snob me like that?"
I smiled."I am so sorry sweetheart. I never meant to hurt you. I was just strategy zing  on how to handle you and your delicate nature with the sad news you are obviously going to break''
She smiled, “Am not in the mood, please"
"At least I have made you smile. So, what’s eating you up?"
"Just go to page 20 of that paper. The news is there"
"What news? What happened?" I scanned through the pages and got to page twenty and saw this report,"BBM and other social networking platforms grieves  over the death of technology pioneer, Apple Inc co-founder, Steve Jobs" I shook my head, “I have read the news on internet yesterday. It’s so sad to lose such an inspiring innovator"
"I read the news and felt so devastated. What a genius?”
“ I felt so but when I remember the massive impact which this man has made on this generation, I can't help it but laugh and thanked God for someone like him. Even though he died, he still lives.”
Tracy stared at me with confusion written all over her countenance.
“Hello! The man is dead and gone”
“Yes he is dead but not gone”
“How do you mean?”

“The name, Steve Job will always continue to ring a bell from generation to generation. because he left a very big legacy before departing. Just like, GTBank co-founder Tayo Aderinokun who passed away a few months ago, Christy Essien-Igbokwe who was just 50 years old at the time of her passing and young Nigerian star, Da Grin last year,and many others. Their deaths were untimely but their positive impact and legacy - truly indelible. They can never be erased. So what is your legacy, Tracy?”

Tracy nodded in agreement. “What is my legacy? I love the question. No one has ever asked me that question before. It’s kind of propelling. Thank you for that. I never thought of that before. I really wish to be remembered for one thing or the other I have done after I have gone.

I stared at her.

“You know what Venn; I owe you for this insight. Let me go back to my table and ponder over this” She collected her paper.” I will have some good news for you later”

She left and I carried my coffee, sipped and thought out loud. “No one was born a genius

 after-all”

THE GREATEST THING

 

THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD IS TO DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE ,AND THE ONLY WAY TO DISCOVER WHO YOU REALLY ARE IS TO DISCOVER THE ONE WHO CREATED YOU......Evangelist Albert Sackey

It was not really surprising to me when Jewel jumped into the bed last night for her night rest after she had taken her bath without praying because it has become part of her but nonetheless,I will have to do what I have to do as a friend and a good one indeed. I pat her carefully at her back.She wriggled in anger obvious of what the disturbance means.I continued patting her. When she couldn't bear it anymore,she shouted at me.

"What!What!!What!!!What is it,Venn? 

"Don't feign ignorance.You know why i am calling you.Get up"

She sat up and exposed her loathsome face ."Is knowing you a terrible thing, Venn?"

I smiled.

She frowned."This is not a laughing matter Venn.You know I had worked tirelessly throughout out today and that I needed a very good rest.Why can't you allow me to have it?Must I be part of this your prayer session of every morning and night?Have I ever seen in the bible where people were forced to pray?It's so sad to say this but I am getting so exhausted over your addiction to prayers.I may have to leave this apartment for you and look for an alternative"

I watched her as she rants.I kept quite and she stared at me.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

"I was waiting for you to finish.Are you done?"

"What sort of question is that?Of course I am"

"I am so sorry Jewel.I never meant to insult you.I thought I was just playing the role of a true friend.But come to think of it Jewel,what do you find so irritating about prayers and going to church?"

"Because I do not believe there is God up there and if there is,its either he is dead or something.The meaning he no longer answer prayers"

"Watch your mouth Jewel.The Bible in psalms 121 says that the lord never sleeps nor stumbles"

"Spare me that gospel. Let me tell you one thing you should know.The achievements you have recorded so far in your life were not made possible by your prayers.It was predestined to take place and will come to pass whether you pray or not and whether you go to church or not.Stop deceiving yourself"

"May God have mercy on your soul Jewel and forgive you because you do not know what you are doing"

"Okay.Let's face it.I have been praying and worshiping God for God knows how long but nothing changed until I quit praying and going to church.That was when things turned around for the best.That was when Chief Okafor came along and decided to finance my project.Venn I can't waste my time again praying and going to church"

"Jewel,God is the finisher and the author of your hope.The new things happening in your life is as a result of the prayers you did before and more-so because his mercy is upon you"

"Absolute nonsense!Venn. God was not there when Chief Okafor accepted to finance my project.In-fact if God was there,we would not have allowed Chief Okafor to accept to invest his money on this project"

"I am so sorry for you Jewel.You need to re-discover who you are are and who Jesus really is.If you had done that,you wouldn't be saying these rubbish"

"You can call it whatever you dim fit but I still maintain my resolve.Chief Okafor is now my Idol.I will devote all my time and loyalties to him.He deserves even more" She smiled "Very soon, I am going to rise to limelight to where I actually belong curtsey of Chief Okafor.That man is everything to me"

"Jewel you need to change your thinking.You are wonderfully and beautifully made by the almighty.Every good thing comes from him.Do not give to man the glory that is due for God.He does not share his glory with any man.The Bible tells us not to trust in any man but in God who is the beginning and end of everything"

"Abeg,abeg,abeg I am tired of you and this your preaching.I want to sleep.I will be meeting with Chief Okafor's Board of trustees tomorrow.Very early"She smiled to me so victoriously."With Chief Okafor,the sky is my stepping stone.We shall met at the top"She said that and made to lie down.

"My last advise to you this night is that you should try not to put all your trust in men.Put all of them in God. Though men may fail and disappoint,God does not.

As I was about to lie down by her side and sleep,her phone ranged and she picked it.

Jewel:(Smiled) Yea,Tracy.What's up?

Jewel:(Frown)What did you hear?

Jewel:No! She shouted and allowed her phone to drop.She started sobbing.

"What is it?What happened?

"Oh! my God! Its not true.This cant happen to me"

"Talk to me Jewel.What happened?"

"Tracy just told me that Chief  Okafor had a heart failure this afternoon and died on the way to hospital.I am finished.Venn,my project.What will happen to it?"

I smiled."You see my point Jewel.Man will always fail you.God will never.Don't worry.We can always do any thing through Him that strengthens us.Jesus will take care of your project.For now,stop crying like a hopeless person and get some sleep.But before that,lets take what has happened to God in prayer"

Jewel did not hesitate.

What is your view in this? As for me and my people,we have chosen to serve the lord.Discovering him,has giving me a sense of direction and purpose.

DO SOMETHING NOW!

 

  Have you been able to find out who you are?It is very necessary if you are interested in leaving any mark behind you before  your final day on earth approaches.I am addressing those who share this strong feelings of leaving something for posterity with me.If up till moment,you have not seen anything important in this talk,do not bother your pretty head because probably, you belong to the third category of people I talked about in my last post.You came to this earth to watch the events of this earth as they pass by and probably does not have anything in your beautiful  brain to offer and evidently do not want to bother that your fragile brain.Its a matter of choice.

      To you out there who are so desirous,if you have found your purpose,do not relent in pursuing it until you accomplish it.To those who are interested,start now!It is not late until you are dead.You are still alive.Leave your comfort zones.Do something now!Think of something to do.Do not waste your whole life sleeping.Dig!Dig!!Dig!!!It is in you.Everyone has got a talent deposited somewhere in them by the Almighty father.We are all creators like our God.All you have to do is to discover it.Do not die with this talent.It is a total waste!

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION?

I made up my mind very long time ago that I was not gonna leave this mother earth without having anything to be remembered for.I don't know whether you share this view with me but I'd like you to begin to think similarly in the same line.  It gives me a great concern when I know that death is so inevitable and that when one passes away,one is gone forever.We can only morn and grieve for the death of a loved one  for sometime and forget them forever! None of us have ever seen any of our dead relatives and even if we are to see them,we would not stand them because there is always a great gap between the living and the dead.We can always remember these people constantly if they have left a legacy behind.That and only that can ignite our passion to always glance back at those things and remember them for who they were when they were alive.For those category of people,they never die because their names are always engraved in our memories .I know of an adage which says that there are three categories of people on earth,first category are people that makes things happen,second category are the people that support the first category and the third and last category are the on lookers.They just sit and watch things happen.Where do you belong?Think about this and have some fun as you do that.Cheers!

WHO ARE YOU

Have you ever taken some quality time in your closet to inquire from within you,who you are? Knowing who you are is so material to knowing what you are and why you are here on earth.Take out some time today if you have not done it before and engage in this mind exercise of discovering who you are.The essence it to help you solve your certain life problems.It does not matter the profession you found yourself in or the path you have chosen in life.Sometimes there exist a clear distinction between your purpose here on earth and the career you have chosen.Sometimes this is evidenced in not having the satisfaction you needed in what you do.This is the point when this inquiry is mostly valuable.If you are satisfied with what you to,be a creator there. Introduce innovations to change the old order.Make yourself relevant.Make a name for yourself.You can be celebrated anywhere.

The knowledge of who you are enables you to discover your purpose on earth.Once you discover your purpose,you will be fulfilled and the sky will not only be your limit but your stepping stone.Are you guided by this?If yes,do some home work today...........Have some fun.