I’m a creative, experienced, multi-purpose artist and art director
who can take projects start to finish in a variety of styles.

Good designs sell –
my designs sell out!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

"Wish"


Our thoughts create our world.  We have to dream possibilities before we can make them real.  I know our practical world dismisses that as fantasy and "magical thinking", but it's still true.

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time fantasizing about being the next Ralph William Williams, painting back covers of women's magazines for Breck Shampoo.  I spent hours and hours drawing people in preparation for my glorious future while I fantasized.  I supported my future employer by washing my hair with Breck even though the company and Williams were oblivious to my devotion -- but these dreams made my art career possible.


Dreaming, wishing, wanting, hoping, reading -- all of it expanded my world and made other things possible.  Why couldn't I be the next Breck artist?  Why limit my wishes?

Too many people have given up daydreaming because they don't think it gets you anywhere, but it's exactly the thing that can take you beyond your circumstances.  Thought creates what we think is possible.  Thought turns to action.  If you think you're limited, then you are.  If you think you can achieve something grand, you can.

What we believe draws opportunities and people into our experience.  If you believe men are abusive, you'll attract an abusive partner.  If you think men are kind, you'll attract a kind partner.  If you think all women are gold diggers, well, you get the idea.  Our thoughts create our experience.

I often wonder if other people, especially younger people, have given up self-directed fantasy because they are so busy in group activities or being passively entertained.  There's no time left over to dream their lives into being.  If they're too comfortable where they're at, then there's no reason to dream for more.

The other side of fantasy can sometimes be that we spend too much time thinking about the unpleasant situations and people who interfere with our happiness and success.  I'm pretty sure we've all thought about the justice we'd like to rain down on the heads of people who have wronged us.  The more time we think our hateful and/or depressing thoughts, the less time we have to think the world we want to live in.

When I was young, I didn't have much choice about living in my fantasy world.  I didn't have other kids to play with and tv was limited.  I read to my heart's content, and imagined heroes who always said and did the right things.  Real people are flawed in ways I couldn't imagine.  We can't make other people share our fantasies or play the roles we assign to them -- which makes life infinitely more interesting.

I've been thinking about all of these things a lot lately.  I hope I'm never too old to dream and create.  What's next beyond the next achievement or loss?  How do you want to leave your mark on the world?

16 comments:

  1. I very much agree about thoughts being powerful, powerful, powerful. What we think completely matters. What is hidden inside is always bigger and more important than what is immediately seen.

    I love that you practiced and practiced so you could paint the Breck ladies and that you washed your hair with Breck too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such an inspiring read, Linda! The mind is a powerful thing, and we are what we believe to be. I think people who depend on their imagination and creativity for a living are fortunate, to be able to see things in a more expanded view. Fantasizing is a road to endless possibilities and I don't think I will ever stop believing that. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dreaming, wishing, wanting, hoping, reading, practice, practice, practice... and never giving up! Nice post Linda. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I totally agree with your musings here, Linda, and I thank you for putting them out a little further into the world. We dream a lot in our house, but sometimes I suspect (just as you've said) that we cancel out a lot of the "results" because we also spend a lot of time resisting where we are right now. Need to work on that-- thanks for that reminder. On a related note, I believe that as the world becomes more crazy, our imaginations (and thus the hope for the world) will lie within our deepest imaginations, within our deepest hearts....and best to practice now, while we're not so much up against the wall with it all?

    ReplyDelete
  5. "…will lie within our deepest *stillness,* our deepest hearts…" I meant to write! Wish there was an 'edit' link on these comment forms, dang.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks everybody! Here's to hoping that we all dream the world a better place for each of us!

    ReplyDelete
  7. "I supported my future employer" Ha! I did too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really like that photo at the top, with the crossed fingers. Did you paint that on a wooden board? Or is the wood grain painted too?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks Debbie! Yes, I painted this on a board. Glad I could make you smile Sharon :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good question and observation from Debbie. And creatively different LInda, to paint it on the board.

      Delete
  10. Linda, I have a long list of wishes that's going to keep me busy of the rest of my life, if I'm ever going to make them happen! Right now, I wish I had an extra set of fingers to cross (just like the ones in your painting) to see to it that those wishes do come true!
    P.S. Looks like the Breck worked on your hair! ;o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I was a kid I decided to cross my toes because it left my fingers free :)

      Delete
  11. Much enjoyed, Linda. I'd say more - much more - but I have a coffee to make and a back step to take it out on while the morning is yet hushed and dark - there are daydreams to be spun into thread, and a life to stitch them into...

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've done so much wishing, dreaming, fantasizing, and planning in my 56 years. Half obtained, the rest not. I "think" I've finally gotten to the point in life where it's okay not to achieve some of the goals because having and enjoying it in my mind seems to give me a certain satisfaction, which gives me calmness that takes me in other positive directions.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like coming to your blog for your art and inspiring writing. Thanks for this one, Linda.

    ReplyDelete