My father said, "You can create what you want. Just use your imagination so you can see what's possible for your life."
My parents were teenage parents. By the time they were 18, there were two of us, me and my older sister. Being so close in age, I literally grew up with my parents and watched them learn how to juggle school, careers, and marriage while caring for a family and each other.
Though young and poor, my parents somehow thrived. They both graduated from college, served in the community, worked for equality, and pastored churches. Of course, creating a life for us and serving an economically underserved community wasn't easy. Dealing with institutionalized racism, political disenfranchisement, and generational hopelessness was exhausting. My parents persevered, but life was hard.
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Honestly, life frequently was challenging because even though my parents had lots of love, they had few resources. At times, we barely survived and constantly lived a "sometimey" life. Sometimes we had heat, food, and a phone; sometimes, we didn't. Sometimes we had hot water, gas for the car, and money to wash our clothes, and sometimes we didn't. Life was unpredictable because my parents were always forced to make a dollar out of a dime.
Of course, as a child, I occasionally complained about not having the basics and a few luxuries. But when I complained about wearing thrift store clothes, eating government cheese, and chewing on day-old bread, my parents didn't reprimand me. In fact, they motivated me and reminded me that despite my current circumstances, I was born with the talent, wisdom, and skills to create a different future.
My father said, "You can create what you want. Just use your imagination so you can see what's possible for your life."
Imagination?
Honestly, I didn't understand what imagination was and didn't know how it could improve my life. But thankfully my father explained that imagination was when you closed your eyes and let your spirit run wild and free. He explained that our spirits are not bound by time, conditions, or reality and can see beyond problems, obstacles, and oppression. He told me that our spirits could always find joy amid the pain.
I didn't always believe what my father said. But he assured me that imagination is a spiritual gift that will guide you to goodness if you use it daily. And you know what?
My father was right.
To read more from SharRon on the power of your imagination and how to use it in your life, the full article is part of our current issue available now at soulacymagazine.com
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SharRon is a life strategist, minister, author, and corporate leader who helps people BE who they were born to be, so they will never settle for what society has told them to be. You can sign-up to receive weekly information at solo.to/sharronjamison.
The full article is available inside SOULACY
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