Fake it ‘Till You Make It
I am sure most people have heard the phrase "fake it till you make it". It may sound contradictory to authenticity and personal growth; however, I think there is a deeper truth behind it. In the realm of spiritual and personal growth, adopting certain practices can help us let go of old patterns, overcome stagnation, and navigate a path towards inner peace and a fulfilling life. One practice that I love involves harnessing the power of imagination and visualization to shape our thoughts and emotions positively.
Our daily thoughts and routines tend to be repetitive, often focusing on negative aspects or past experiences. In a recent mindfulness class that I took, I learned that we have roughly 50,000 – 60,000 thoughts per day and of those thoughts about 95% of them were the same thoughts we had yesterday and 80% of the thoughts were negative. To break free from this cycle, we can embrace the practice of consciously redirecting our thoughts towards positivity. When you are in bed and before you go to sleep, close your eyes, and take a few moments to imagine what your perfect life might look like. Envision a what your ideal day might entail. Who are you with? What are doing? Where are you going? Now, feel what that feels like. Immerse yourself in those imagined experiences that bring joy. The mind doesn’t know reality from imagination. So, by doing this, we begin to tap into the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. Again, upon waking up in the morning, instead of dwelling on yesterday's events, take a moment to close our eyes and visualize what brings you joy. And most importantly is FEEL what that feels like.
We can also marinate in that feeling of joy, by cultivating gratitude. Acknowledge and appreciate the blessings we already have. It could be the love of our children, a cherished relationship, the beauty of our surroundings, or even the simplest joys like a sunny sky or the presence of a beloved pet. As we engage in this practice, we allow ourselves to experience the positive emotions associated with these visualizations and moments of gratitude.
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Imagination acts as a gateway to our deepest desires and serves as a catalyst for personal growth. By using our imagination intentionally, we can create a vision of the life we want to manifest. It goes beyond wishful thinking; it involves vividly imagining and feeling the emotions associated with our desired reality.
Through imagination, we tap into the realm of possibilities and expand our consciousness. It helps us break free from the limitations of our current circumstances and opens the door to new opportunities. As we engage our imagination consistently, we begin to align our thoughts, emotions, and actions with our envisioned reality, ultimately bringing us closer to manifesting our dreams.
While "fake it till you make it" may initially sound superficial, its deeper meaning in the realm of personal and spiritual growth becomes evident when we explore the power of imagination, visualization, and gratitude. By consciously redirecting our thoughts towards positivity, envisioning our desired reality, and feeling the associated emotions, we set in motion a transformative process of manifestation. As we embrace the true potential of our imagination, we tap into the limitless possibilities that lie within us, propelling us towards personal fulfillment and a life aligned with our deepest aspirations. So, let us dare to imagine, visualize, and embrace the power of "fake it till you make it" on our journey of self-discovery and growth.
