Gratitude

I think that we should be grateful for Daydreaming. My wife passed along to me an article from the Boston Globe that says that scientists are now saying that Daydreaming is necessary for thinking processes. Before I read this, I thought that we should be grateful for Daydreaming anyhow because it can take us away from reality for a bit and perhaps  give one a chance to recharge. I know that I have a tendency to drift off often and quickly, even when I am talking. Part of my mind is on its way to some other realm that can offer me refuge or stimulate ideas that carry me along paths that are closer to my natural tendencies. 

"Many Scientists argue that Daydreaming is a crucial tool for creativity, a thought process that allows the brain to make new associations and connections". When I am talking to a student who is trying to work things out regarding project and they are explaining what they want to see, I find myself daydreaming while listening and running around connecting all of those things that seem even distantly related. On occasion, I have articulated these things that are a bit wacky and have students see things in a different way that sends them on a path that they might not have thought of. For this, I am grateful, not simply because I might have been of some help, but because I could use the conversation as a spring board for my own musings and add to the repertoire of intuitive connections.

I believe more in intuition than logic. Logic runs backward, intuition runs forward. It took Einstein about 15 years to learn enough to assemble a logical path back to his childhood intuition that led to the theories of relativity. I have to assume that he was grateful for the Daydream that led him to that. Nothing can progress without intuition, or the human desire to dream. Logic is important to the realization of ones dreams but it cannot help you see what is not yet there.

Recently I had a conversation with someone who suggested that Daydreaming is a way to connect to the spiritual realm.  One must first assume that there is a spiritual realm. The scientists studying Daydreaming probably want only to understand the mechanics of the brain during a daydream and the tangible results thereof. This is fine with me as long as they can legitimize Daydreaming and perhaps remove the stigma that is placed upon children who must suffer through traditional schooling.

There are not a lot of things that I do reasonably well or consistently. Daydreaming is one of those things for which I am grateful that I do and I hope that everyone can become grateful for it. It is perhaps vitally important.