By Marvin H. Berenson, M.D.

November 1, 2011

The power of the imagination is your repository for almost unlimited new ideas to                     seek out new friends and lovers. By trusting and using your creative imagination you will have enormous fun as you probe your mind for new venues and methods that will surprise and delight you.

I have written several imagery exercises that will reveal how the imagination becomes your assistant in your search. Be free and trusting of your ideas and the visualization method described.

To visualize the following imagery exercises sit in a comfortable chair, take two deep breaths and relax.   Then in your mind’s eye imagine the following exercises.  Be prepared for your imagination to make changes and always follow your own imagery in preference to what I write.  Your objective is to recognize that you have a new source of ideas and as you follow these exercises your imagination will grow sometimes in astonishing ways.

IMAGERY EXERCISE No. 1

I walk on the soft and glistening sand and watch the tide come in. As I walk on I see movement not far ahead. A woman walks with eyes to the ground.  She stops, stoops and picks up a shell. I approach her and see the warmth in her eyes and admire the shell she is holding. I ask if she would like company on her walk on the beach. If she agrees you would continue to walk together and talk. 

At this point you could continue the imagery and listen to your conversation as it unfolds. Try it. You will learn much about yourself.

IMAGERY EXERCISE NO. 2

Imagine that from your home city you are planning a vacation by train or bus. Standing on the platform you wait for the train to come to whisk you away to a nearby place of beauty. You hope to meet a woman to share the experience.

Remember that this is happening in your imagination so you can make it happen.  Your objective is to prepare yourself to be very alert and to react positively to a woman you run across.  This happens much more that most people realize. In your imagination you want to find a partner to share what lay ahead so you carefully look through the train coach to find a woman sitting alone and you do.

Keep in mind that in your imagination you do everything needed to accomplish your purpose of meeting a woman. You will learn if you put up obstacles or can’t seem to find anyone. You may have fears, doubts, or feelings of inferiority that prevent you, even in your imagination, from accomplishing this task.  If so, stop the imagery and start again after telling yourself that you will be positive in your search.

Continue the imagery. I sit down on an empty seat next to a woman with book in hand. I say hello and ask most gently, “what are you reading?”  “Oh a wonderful love story,” she whispers back, and that’s how it begins. You travel together and leave the train as a couple when you reach your destination.

These two examples show how your imagination can open your mind and actions to a wide variety of experiences that will help foster your reaching out and meeting people.  Again use the imagery to change your normal approach to these activities. You will be surprised how quickly you can change your feelings and attitudes.

Don’t try to control your imagination. Merely tell yourself what you want to accomplish and then be spontaneous. Your imagination is a great storehouse of meaningful information.

Using the imagination will open up a new part of your mind and reveal many surprising ideas, ways to govern your life and help you creatively to change your life.
 
You can rapidly and effectively expand your creative life by following the methods and exercises described in “Awakening Your Creativity” where you will find the primary tools to change your life in ways that will excite and delight you. You can become creative.

Visit http://www.DrMarvinBerenson.com to review “Awakening Your Creativity” and sign-up to receive Dr. Berenson’s highly informative biweekly newsletter and two FREE gifts.

Marvin H. Berenson, M.D. is Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, USC Keck School of Medicine, psychiatrist, lecturer, author and artist.