As a child I don’t remember having a vivid imagination. As an adult I understand more about traveling to another place and time while sitting in a comfortable chair, waiting in a long line or preparing for a less than favorable situation. Daydreaming, our ability to have the mental elasticity that allows us to mentally transport ourselves is valuable. It is a gift to be able to imagine things as they might be, not as they are.

My Memories

As a very young girl I remember my thoughts transported me to a classroom full of students. I was in the front of the room. Although I had never experienced the theater style university seating, I imagined students in those very seats. There were endless rows of participants before me. I was able to communicate with all of them individually.

There was order and peace. I remember feeling comfortable, nurtured and empowered, all at the same time. I don’t remember articulating those words however, upon reflection those are the words that best describe my feelings.

This recurrent daydream took me from my tiny, urban, Los Angeles shared-bedroom to a bigger unconfined world, where I was free to be who God created me to be. Gone were the restrictions of the opinions of others, and my self-imposed limitations. I had such a sense of freedom. Such a sense of innocence. A level of deliberate purpose to do what God created me to do.

Daydreams Change

Do you remember what your daydreams of childhood were like? Which ones have been realized? Have those reminiscent thoughts totally vanished, or do you still reflect on those dreams? What new dreams to you have for yourself or others?

Studies show that when children are asked around five years of age what they want to be when they grow up, and then again several years later, closer to puberty, they have generally changed their minds altogether. Several conclusions can be made by the change. I think that as they grow older, children hear more negative messages about themselves. They have experienced more failures and their view of life’s possibilities has been altered.

Benefits of Daydreaming

Often times the practice of daydreaming is seen as being lazy, or a disconnection from reality.  There are many valuable aspects to daydreaming. When we are able to daydream the benefits include:

• Helping us to achieve our goals by keeping them before us
• Engaging our creativity by allowing us to mentally practice various scenarios
• Assisting us in problem solving by allowing us to mentally rehearse various outcomes
• Occupying our minds in times of stress and anxiety by providing another focus
• Promoting better relationships by allowing us to mentally practice dialogue with others

As a young girl trapped in a maze of chaos, and hate I was able to dream dreams of something better. I was able to see myself in an atmosphere of peace and love. I was able to see myself sharing joy with others. Indeed that daydream came true!

God lovingly provided me with maps and lanterns that freed me from the darkness of hate, violence and chaos, which was my beginning. He gave me maps and lanterns to share with others.

As I reflect on that daydreaming young girl I am thankful for those daydreams. I am so very thankful that Little Deborah had the ability to imagine things as they might be, rather than seeing them only as they were.

As I write these words I am overcome by my gratitude for a God so great words escape a proper description. The gratitude causes tears to freely roll down my cheeks. Daydreaming kept me in faith, which kept me. I chose to seek Him, He gave me faith and blessed me. I am so very thankful.

Today I remain a dreamer, both day and night. I look forward to my later days being greater than my former days. I am thankful that the realities that do not align with His word will change. I am thankful for daydreams.

His word tells us to be as a child. Could that mean that we are to have more of that childlike ability to daydream and imagine things as they might be not as they are?

I will daydream as a child. I will distribute more maps and lanterns. I am thankful for my ability to daydream!

Are you a daydreamer? About what do you daydream?

Take Inventory, and Take Action.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”