When we are children growing up, our imagination is the key to untold worlds. And it has been shown that kids with very active imaginations are more likely to dream and strive for greater things as adults. It is a sad fact that all too often, as we grow up, we are told to “get our heads out of the clouds”, to "stop daydreaming", and that living in an imaginary world is not good for us. But stifling your imagination is the worst thing you can do to yourself, as it will only pave the way for accelerated aging, and all too often a life that feels unfulfilled.
Though many take creativity for granted, it is a trait not possessed by everyone. Many people are labelled as primarily “right brained” or “left brained” (if such a thing exists): It is argued that highly intellectual, logical types are less likely to be creative, have less wild imaginations and are typically rule followers who do not believe in much of anything that cannot be logically quantified. Regardless of the left brain / right brain argument, imagination unleashes creativity, allowing you to live a life filled with potential. The creative individual does not see the sky as the limit, instead the limit is as far as he or she can imagine. They not only think outside the box, for them there is no box, and so their brains are constantly challenged, humming and conjuring up all sorts of goodies. Anything the mind can conjure is good enough to become true, be it work, life, personal goals accomplishments or anything. A very good trait to cultivate from childhood.
Empathy is the act of being truly sympathetic to another person, without ever actually experiencing what they are going through yourself. Sadly, many people do not know how to express empathy, and the reason for this is simple; it is not because that person is a bad individual, or mean spirited. It simply means that individual cannot imagine the feelings of the person experiencing a particular event, and thus cannot truly relate. Your imagination may leave you in a good position to offer a shoulder for comfort and support, as you are able to envision going through the same thing as the person suffering, and thus able to demonstrate what you think a person needs at that time. Being of service towards other people in that way, promotes your own mental health and emotional well being.
Those brain connections are a part of what makes you who you are, and forming new connections supports memory functions and keeps the brain vibrant and strong. Your imagination can be a useful tool for strengthening these connections, in order to form long-term memories. Here are two explanations of how memory works; an intellectual will harness and strengthen memory by repetition. Studying work day after day enhances these connections bit by bit, or via physical practice. On the other hand, someone who uses their imagination may know something well, and be able to recall everything without seeming to make an effort. Take for example planning for their wedding. Years and years beforehand, that person could have meticulously planned and imagined their dream wedding, so that when the actual time comes, the planning step and what they want pops up like clockwork.