(1) Foreseeing dangerous situations and avoiding them.
It wise to be shrewd and to think ahead. Using our imagination, we can consider the potential consequences of
decisions before we make them. For example, if you are invited to a
social event, how could your imagination help you to make a wise
decision about whether to attend? After considering such factors as who
else is invited, the size of the gathering, and where and when it will
be held, think: ‘What is likely to happen there?’ Can you realistically
imagine
a good gathering/event? This process can enable you to visualize the event in your
mind. Using your imagination to make wise decisions will help you to
avoid harmful situations.
(2) Rehearsing mentally how to handle difficult problems.
Imagination
also includes the ability to confront and deal with a problem.
Suppose you have had a misunderstanding with someone at work, school or your neighbour. How will you approach the person to try to
restore peace? There are many factors to consider. What is his or her
communication style? When would it be most appropriate to talk about
the problem? What words and tone of voice would be best to use? By
putting your imagination to work, you can mentally rehearse various ways
to handle the situation and choose the one that you feel will be the
most effective and well-received. Such a thoughtful approach to handling a difficult situation will
help promote peace. That is certainly a good use of
imagination.
(3) Cultivating and displaying empathy.
Empathy is a beautiful quality that has been described as feeling another person’s pain in our heart. How can we develop this quality? One of the most powerful ways to
cultivate empathy involves using our imagination. We may never have
experienced the other person's situation, yet, you can ask yourself: ‘If I were in this situation, how
would I feel? What would I need?’ Using our imagination to answer these
questions will help us to be more empathetic.
