Element #4 Build Your Spacecraft

Kindle your imagination

“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” — Thomas Paine, revolutionary, founding father and author of Common Sense

World War II destroyed Europe. Indeed, for most of its history, Europe was in a state of war. After the war ended, European statesmen came together to re-imagine a new kind of Europe, one that would promote peace and stability. The foundation that was built wasn’t perfect, but it was a step into imagining a new future that deviated from Europe’s previous history. Despite its flaws that are prone to happen with any new foundation, over 60 years later despite current turmoil that puts the European project into question it is still standing and has brought peace to the European continent as it was never before possible. It would have been impossible without imagination.

When I planned to move to the United States to pursue my dreams, I used my imagination to get there. In light of the lack of resources, I focused on relying on my imagination, rather than be constrained by reality. I used my childhood memories to re-imagine my life, imagining what I could become. If I had extrapolated from the last few years of high school, I doubt I would have changed my life at all. Imagination combined with sweat and courage is what made it happen.

Move forward with a sense of idealism and manifest the life that you imagine. The world is malleable and your thoughts can transpire into reality. Apply your knowledge and imagine where you could be in the future.

This is an extract from Patrick Daniel’s forthcoming book ‘The Thinker’, out in early 2017.