Imagination Rules the World
Albert Einstein acknowledged that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited, faulty and time sensitive, whereas imagine is limitless and encompasses the entire world. Why would the world’s foremost scientist and mathematician, perhaps the only two fields of study that are supposed to deal solely in cold, unyielding facts – make such a statement? He did so because he was observant and reasonable enough to acknowledge that without first utilizing imagination, without exercising our powers of inquiry and of questioning the current, accepted “knowledge,” no new discoveries could ever be made. The singer Sade once put it this way, “the more we know, the less we see.”
So in this final chapter I invite you to let your imagination run wild. IMAGINE. Picture the life of your dreams, the home you’ve always wanted, the spouse, children and/or companion that you have always envisioned for yourself. See the company you’ve always dreamed of, the masterpiece that you hold inside and has been dying to come out. See the organization that you’ll found, that will literally change the world. Envision the income level that would allow you to throw off the fetters of poverty and reach for the stars. You must see the home, building, skyscraper, facility, campus, theme park or playground in your mind, first. Seeing these things before they are there is the first step to becoming creative. Five months ago my house did not exists, now it does. Five months ago this book did not exist, now it does. Today my renewable energy company does not exist, within five years or less – it will. The vision must come alive in your mind, it must be true to you first, or it will never see the light of day. As merely an anecdote that you may or may not find amusing, on the night of our very first date, I told Guiselle that I wanted to have a son named “Nevi.” How’s that for an opening line! The fact that she didn’t turn right around and run away was my first indication that she may actually be “the one.” Five years ago Nevi Domenic did not exist, now he does.
The reason that imagination trumps knowledge is because if we regulate our lives by what is, we will never experience what life can become. See the book in your mind before you hold it in your hands. It cannot be otherwise, the opposite would be impossible. Knowledge says, “you’re not a writer. You are single, poor and you have no talent.” That’s knowledge speaking. Imagination says, “you are a writer. You are a fabulous writer and very gifted at that. You have entire novels waiting to pour out of you. There is a company that there can be no knowledge of because it does not yet exist, but that company will be birthed by you.” Knowledge is dangerous because like Sade says, “the more we know the less we see.” In other words, stay stupid. Remain uninformed, assume nothing. Sometimes you will get on people’s nerves because of your childlike innocence. You know what, let them get annoyed! Deep inside they admire you for this quality, and may actually come to emulate you over time. People need hope, they need to be allowed to dream again.
I will reprint the lyrics to Imagine by John Lennon because of their pertinence to our discussion. Open your mind and allow these lyrics to speak to you,
Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try. No hell below us, Above us only sky. Imagine all the people Living for today... Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too. Imagine all the people Living life in peace... You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will be as one. Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people Sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will live as one.
Creative power will become a happy obsession once you get a first taste of its undeniable life force. Imagination rules the world because it is the lifeblood in everything that exists today. Forget your knowledge. Try to unlearn what’s been pounded into your mind since you had the use of reason, and learn something new.
[excerpt from Creative Power: Imagination Rules the World, get your copy, here]
