538. Enthusiasm and Imagination

Try to avoid allowing the daily grind of your routine to blunt your enthusiasm and imagination. This can be a difficult thing to do because as we evolve systems for doing things, and they become routines, we tend to forget that there may be better ways and become bored with our own methods. The key to dealing with this is to keep everything under regular review.

241. Controlling the Imagination.

The Imagination is a wonderful tool of the creative mind. Bear in mind that it is a servant and do not let it become your master. Always retain control over it. Be clear about the distinctions between reality and imagination and between imaginings and imagination. Imagination is always glamorous. It is the movie. Reality is never quite so pretty. Imagination allows you to be creative if it is used properly. When being creative if the mind throws up some fantastic image, do not say "This cannot be done." Rather, you should ask "How can this be done ?"

The ability to distinguish between reality and imagination is the ability to remain sane. If you cannot tell the difference, you are well on the road to madness.

Imagination is what allows you to be a great writer, poet, playwright, artist, sculptor, movie-maker or actor. Reality is the discipline to work through the obstacles to the execution of your imagined ideas. It is the persistence that keeps you at your desk even when you can think of nothing to write. It is the determination to never settle for second-best.

"Die Beste oder nichts" -Karl Benz.

179. Fantasies

Fantasies are distorted forms of vision. They are always distorted because they involve the twisting of perception into unreality. Actions that stem from such distortions are the reactions of those who "know not what they do."

Such fantasies are unhealthy and lead to self-delusion.
It is important to distinguish between unhealthy fantasy and Imagination and Creativity; these, of course, lead to a better life.

155. Building Castles in the Air

The expression, "Building castles in the air" means that you create in your mind some wonderful project but the chances of fulfilling it are remote. We all build castles in the air. It is the proper function of your imagination to do this. Some people dismiss such imagination as impractical and so the expression has come to have a slightly pejorative connotation. Here is the truth of the matter : When you build castles in the air, don't let your work be lost, for that is where they should be. Instead, get busy and work hard to put the foundations under them.