Do You Remember? Making it All Up ~ The Power of Imagination

"I learned about the sacred art of self decoration with the monarch butterflies perched atop my head, lightning bugs as my night jewelry, and emerald-green frogs as bracelets."

- Clarissa Pinkola Estés
(Women Who Run with the Wolves)

I chose my most sparkling earrings today. Not for any special occasion but because I felt like dressing up. Now, believe me, here in Hawaii we are casual. Men go to work in Aloha shirts and women wear sundresses, or pareaus all year round. And really, I'm only going down the road to write this newsletter at Starbucks.  But so what? I like my sparkling earrings.  I feel good when I wear them. So I declared today "Sparkling Earring Day" and that was that.

Do you remember when every day was a major event? Do you remember when there was always something to celebrate? Something to dress up for- a tea party with the Queen, a stuffed animal's birthday - or dress down for - a mud fight with the guys next door, a tree fort to destroy - as the case may be. I remember those early days when the dress code was something I made up for myself.

Have you seen the little girls at the grocery store wearing their princess crowns, lace dresses and magic wands in their hands. What about the little boys in their Spiderman costumes and Superman capes with masks on their eyes and super-sonic weapons at their sides. Do you remember when life was an adventure and you could dress for a variety of parts?

I remember making things up when I was a child. I had a secret language with my best friend and a whole group of shared invisible friends that stayed with us for a number of summers.

Once I created a library in our cottage storage shed. Yes, really. Even back when my daily reading consisted of Archie comic books and Nancy Drew mystery novels I loved books. Thanks to my mother I had my first library card when I was five years old.

I knew about libraries. I had been to the big building with the high ceiling where there was a deliciously quiet hush. I wanted a place like that to call my own. So I made it up. Sometimes my two younger brothers would indulge me by "playing library" with me. But mostly I checked books in and out for myself. I got to use a rubber stamp.

There are some things I have always loved - good books, pens and markers, romantic movies, fine pottery, beaded purses, Buddhas - and some things I have grown to love - sparkling earrings to name just one.

I remember once I went on a "simplicity kick." I decided that it would be better for me to have empty shelves and counters. I got rid of many of my beloved items. I liked it for a few days and then I realized it wasn't me. I came back to myself and allowed my natural creative clutter to surround me.

I remember listening to a tape by Clarissa Pinkola Estes author of Women Who Run with Wolves.and feeling relief as she spoke:  "Find out what you love and surround yourself with it." 

The important thing is to know - really know - what we love. We twist ourselves into knots when we deny our hearts natural wisdom. Our hearts know what we love, what matters to us, what fills us up with purpose, what makes an ordinary day become extraordinary.

What do you remember loving when you were a child? There are clues there that guide us into creative alignment as adults. We had imagination back then. Let's recapture it!

Check out this video on The Power of Imagination