Use your imagination to 'imagineer' your life

Walt Disney was a giant in the world of imagination. On Saturdays, Disney took his daughters to a local park to ride the merry-go-round and play. While sitting on a bench watching his children enjoy their rides, Disney imagined an elaborate family park filled with happy people. He put every detail into place — from the Pirates of the Caribbean to Main Street USA.

This pioneer of family amusement had no similar facilities to draw ideas from. He relied on his imagination. Now, one particularly descriptive job title at Disney is "imagineer."

Imagineering is the research and development arm of the Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation, design and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide. There are illustrators, architects, engineers, lighting designers, show writers and graphic designers. They make the magic happen.

An article in Bits & Pieces magazine claims that each of us possesses a secret superpower that often goes under­utilized.

This ability:

• Can help you find innovative solutions to everyday and complex problems.

• Transcends time, space and limitations.

• Travels faster than the speed of light or sound.

• Like a muscle, gets stronger with use and exercise.

What is this awesome power?

The answer might surprise you: your imagination.

Always remember that if you can conceive it, you can create a plan, get to work and bring your vision to fruition. Dream up bold and positive opportunities or focus on improving minute details that can bring about impactful changes.

"When we recognize that everything in our life was created twice, first as a thought and then as a thing, we begin to recognize the incredible power of the imagination," according to life coach Pam Sterling.

Let your subconscious mind help you exercise your imagination. Try this technique used by Thomas Edison: Ten minutes before you go to sleep, organize your thoughts. Think about a problem you're trying to solve or ask your brain a question. Keep thinking about this as you drift off to dreamland.

Then, during the first 10 minutes after waking up, write down whatever pops into your head. You'll often find that your brain has answered your question during your sleep. In the morning, your mind is looser, and you're more likely to remember dreams and connect them to your daytime reality.

Even if you don't think of yourself as the creative type, you can always amp your imagination up with a little effort. Here are some strategies I like to try when I'm searching for an original idea or an innovative solution:

Meditate — Spend some time each day visualizing something pleasant and peaceful. It doesn't have to relate to anything you're working on; just picture a lake, a forest or even a loved one. You'll relax your brain and body while creating a mental environment that makes way for fresh thinking. Another brain stimulator for me is exercise.

Try something new — Break out of your routine on a regular basis. Read a book on a subject you're unfamiliar with, try a new sport, talk to someone you don't know well. Different experiences can help loosen up stiff ways of thinking about things.

Make some art — Try sketching a picture or writing a poem. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Give yourself permission to roam in an unconventional direction. You may see and hear the world differently later. Pablo Picasso didn't listen to critics, and neither should you!

Mackay's Moral: Anyone who thinks the sky is the limit has limited imagination.