“Our imaginations—whether driven by fiction or our own thoughts—have the same power as real experiences when it comes to rewiring our brains. You already know a dramatic experience in the real world can instantly rewire your brain to make you forever fear or love something that reminds you of that experience. But imagination—including reframing—can also rewire your brain over time. You simply need to focus and repeat the reframe in your head long enough for the hack to work.”
– Scott Adams, Reframe Your Brain
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“Imagination is the voice of daring. If there is anything God-like about God, it is that. He dared to imagine everything.”
– Henry Miller, Sexus, quoted in Writing From the Inside Out by Dennis Palumbo
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Reading a wide range of books is akin to seeking several quotes for a job.
I want to ensure good work at a fair price.
The job? A rewiring job – the creation of my self, my place in the world, my imagination fortified.
It’s a big job that will require several subcontractors.
Who do I allow to be the architect of this project?
If someone is religious, perhaps that job is taken by a god or a religious book
Others may look for a guru – that one person who seemingly has all the answers to their problems.
But I have chosen the messy self construction route.
I am trying to figure out the job as I go.
I consult various guides and how-tos, but ultimately, this building has my intials on the plans.
It is hard work doing it myself. Surely it would be easier if I had someone else to do my thinking for me?
But I have the satisfaction of seeing my handiwork.
I can, crucially, wield a sledgehammer if I need a do over.
Sometimes that is the easiest and most satisfying job.
Books are my guides. I am auto didactic, I learn best with self directed study.
One book leads to me the next. Often they concur with my worldview, others change my mind.
What I have is autonomy in learning. I take the raw materials of others to mix in my imagination and create new ideas.
Conversations With Quotations 