Simply Look Around; There’s Nothing To It

Hello Dreamers and Imaginteers,

A family vacation is not complete without a Gibson movie night. Recently, we introduced our children to the three Wonka movies. I have to say, Wonka is my favorite of the three. The backstory is beautiful, and it gave me a new appreciation for the song Pure Imagination.

In a world that constantly pushes us toward the “next big thing,” it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing we’re perpetually one step away from being enough. We just need a little more education, a new job, more wisdom – the list of what we supposedly need never ends. Yet, a profound truth lies quietly amidst this noise, a reminder that, in reality, we already possess everything necessary for a fulfilling life.

Simply Look Around

This concept is beautifully encapsulated in 2 Peter 1:3, which states, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” This passage underscores a fundamental truth: our completeness is not contingent upon external achievements or possessions. Instead, it flows from our relationship with God and the inherent potential He has placed in each of us.

Between the whimsical scenes and colorful characters, there is a line in the song Pure Imagination that speaks deeply to this concept.

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world?
There’s nothing to it.

What a powerful invitation to see the world not as it is but as it could be—through the lens of our imagination. Everything we need to do that—everything we need to change the world—is already inside us. All we need to do is simply look around; there is nothing to it.

We tend to complicate life. We want someone to give us permission to move into a new stage, to allow us to view life with a lens, to show us how to live with joy. But we, my friends, do not need to wait. Everything we are waiting for—everything we need—we already have inside of us.

These lyrics challenge the notion that we lack and instead invite us to embrace the sufficiency and completeness we possess right now. All we need to do is shift our perspective and see the world from a different perspective.

A Fulfilled Life

The message is clear: the key to a “godly life” – a life of purpose, fulfillment, and joy – doesn’t lie in endlessly acquiring more but in recognizing and utilizing the treasures already bestowed upon us. As the song suggests, our imagination, fueled by faith, is a limitless resource. It empowers us to envision and create a slice of paradise right where we are, using the gifts and talents that are uniquely ours.

There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you’ll be free
If you truly wish to be

If we choose to accept this “new” reality, the world that awaits us is beautiful and beyond compare. A life full of imagination and wonder comes with a wealth of creativity and endless possibilities. This reality is already within us. All we need to do is embrace it. Sometimes, we forget how easy it actually is.

There’s Nothing To It

As you navigate your life, remember you are already equipped for the journey. A life of wonder and joy is simply an invitation to explore the depths of what you’ve been given. By embracing imagination, you can step into a life where you can truly be yourself. That, in some small way, will change the world. Never forget it is possible and well within your reach if you wish it to be.