Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road, I came to a glob of mist with eyeballs. When I asked who it was, it answered, “I’m an imagination. An older one.” I absolutely had to start a conversation.
Hey Older Imagination, I’m glad I met you because I’ve always had trouble balancing the good and bad sides of my imagination. As I grow older, I find it’s even harder. Maybe you can help me.
IMAGINATION: I doubt it. Though I’m older, I still have very little self-control. But I do see the good side of your imagination. I mean, right now you have a ton of imaginary friends.
What? What are you talking about?
IMAGINATION: Everyone who lives here, “Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road,” is imaginary. They come from inside your head.
I never thought of it that way. I guess they blossomed from my imagination, and then took on lives of their own.
IMAGINATION: Is that when the bad side of your imagination comes out?
Nope. It’s still the good side. Because talking with everyone here has led to conversations about being an empty nester, feeling fragile as I grow older, not knowing what to wear as I age, and all that stuff. Talking about those things helps me get through this phase of life.
IMAGINATION: And what happens next? The dark side of your imagination creeps in?
No. The conversations about growing older actually led to my book “Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road.” I’m really proud of it.
IMAGINATION: Phew! So I guess there really is no bad side of your imagination!
Yes there is. As I get older, if I feel a particular pain I don’t recognize or I feel anxious about my age, my imagination makes it much worse. It exaggerates the bad feelings. Makes them run wild.
IMAGINATION: Guilty as charged. But knowing my limits after all these years…might there be another way to relieve your pain and anxiety as you grow older?
Well…I can pray more. Like, I pray my children, who are not always near me anymore, will be safe and well. It helps…unless, of course, God is really just another form of an imaginary friend.
IMAGINATION: I see the way the good and bad sides of your imagination work together.
Drives me nuts.
IMAGINATION: I’ve gotta stop talking now. If I don’t, I’ll start coming up with really weird ideas and we’ll both freak out. This conversation is becoming overwhelming for me.
Me too. It’s giving me a stomach ache. Or… am I imagining it?
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Copyrightoverthehillontheyellowbrickroad2018
How do you stop your imagination from making life crazier in older age?
I’ve never thought of my imagination and ‘good’ and ‘bad’ but yes, I feel the same as you. With me it is more the ‘inner self’ who sometimes tries to tell me I’m not capable of doing something. Fortunately, I try to tune that voice out and just give it a go! Have a lovely day and enjoyed your post. Congratulations on writing a book and love the name of your website.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.
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Hi! Thanks so much for your supportive words. I guess it doesn’t matter what we label our “inner voices” as long as they don’t have too many arguments and ultimately agree to work together to bring out the best in us. Tuning out the negative stuff is a great choice.
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I try to keep it busy with art and poetry. And listening to audio books, ironing, exercising at the gym. Sometimes I need to bore it or tire it out!
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I know what you mean. Sometimes I have to let the “bad” side of my imagination talk and talk and talk until I’m not even listening to it anymore.
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There is that point where you bore even yourself and then you know – I have gotten past that issue, whatever it is!
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Yes! Even MY hysteria eventually dies down, and there is peace. For a short time. 🙂
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When I sink in to the bad imagination part, a remind myself of that old adage: “Don’t put the cart before the horse.”
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That’s smart, although I have to admit, sometimes my horse goes wild when the “bad imagination” part comes out and jumps out of the corral. It’s hard to reign him in. Or her? 🙂
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Yes, very hard to reign in but worth the effort for a good night’s sleep. Just copy Scarlett O’Hara and think about that tomorrow.
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OH yes! That tough lady really had it together! Great advice!
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My mother-in-law was a “worst case scenario” kind of person. I decided that I wouldn’t let myself be that kind of person as I aged. When those awful scenarios enter my thoughts, I remember how most of the situations and outcomes that mother feared simply did not come about, and then I let them go.
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Isn’t it funny how a person in your life who has a negative trait can actually be a positive force? If you hadn’t watched your mother-in-law play out those awful scenarios, maybe you wouldn’t have the foresight to avoid them in your own. Those kinds of things fascinate me.
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Ah yes, I’d never looked at it like this. Best to give the bad a boot. I tend to let it creep in more that I am older. Seems in the middle of the night it sneaks back in. Very good conversation 😘🌞💗
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I know what you mean about the bad thoughts creeping in at night. If they weren’t my own, I’d think they were pretty cool and interesting. It’s just hard when they’re inside your own body. 🙂
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uncanny, how you always hit the target for me. I am guilty as charged and am tired of all the new ways to be sick and dying, in the media daily! Surely every thing that hurts or aches means something horrible is going on! Goodness! I read recently about the lady who drank Dr Pepper every day and lived to 104! I bet she didn’t have a clue it would kill her! I say cheers to her! hahah! great post!
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That’s encouraging about Dr. Pepper since I happen to love Coke Zero! Maybe if I keep drinking it I’ll live to 150 because it’s especially bad for you. And…I find watching the news terrifying enough, but the commercials in between the news stories put me over the edge.
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look up the true story about the Dr Pepper! I really limit the news, for it is an overload of horrible, scary and sad all at once. I love a coke myself! best wishes and watch old movies instead of the news! haha! love Michele
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I do watch a lot of old movies! I especially love old chick flicks. They’re comforting.
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I don’t – old age has set it free 🙂 Another good, philosophical conversation
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Wow! That’s so exciting to hear! I’m so glad old age has set your bad imagination out to sea! You’re my role model. 🙂
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🙂
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God is not an imaginary friend. Who do you think is fueling your imagination!
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That is brilliant! And I believe so true! My feeble brain could never have created “Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road.” Someone else must be doing the work. 🙂 🙂
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I never thought of it being my imagination, I always think that I am being positive or negative, great post as usual 👍
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I think if the positive or negative thoughts we come up with start to become outrageous, our imaginations are pitching in. But what do I know? 🙂
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I think you’re right Cathi 😉
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Ah, thanks Elaine. I’m hardly ever right. 🙂
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Oh the voices in our heads! This is brilliant as always! Smiles and laughs all throughout. 😄💕
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I’m so glad you smiled and laughed! That’s everything!
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Too often I use my imagination to make up negative stories. And then realize I can just as easily make stories with happy endings. And yes, prayer is a lifesaver for me, too. And if I’m persistent I know beyond a shadow of doubt that God is not an imaginary friend. ❤️🙏
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That’s a beautiful and meaningful way to assure us all God is not an imaginary friend.
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Boy can I relate to this! Imagination is a wonderful thing, and sparks the best creativity. It keeps us company when we are alone, and allows us to have more empathy for other people. But it can also sometimes run in the wrong direction, especially concerning our bodies as we age! Still, I think the good far outweighs the bad….
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I agree. Finding a balance between the good and the bad imagination, for me, is sometimes a challenge. Part of life’s journey.
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My imagination usually stays on the bright side of life, fortunately. I figure that as long as I plan as best as I can, things will work out pretty well… and if they don’t, I’ll readjust my plans.
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You’re my hero and idol! LOL I’m going to try to stick with that mindset.
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Another well-written post…or is that just my imagination? Just kidding!
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It’s definitely just your imagination. 🙂
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I know that the wise ones advice that “being in the moment” is a sure path to serenity, but OI! A moment is all it takes to get the positive and negative in a heated battle of thumb-wrestling.
Better to let them work it out themselves, and turn to a long walk, or an hour or two with pen and paper–lets them run through me, rather than over me.
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Agreed! When I try to be the peacemaker between the good and bad side of my imagination, I get anxious. And the two sides don’t listen anyway. I’m glad you understand the process. I feel less alone!
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HI Cathi
Very good question. I am currently experiencing that same quandary. I have a very vivid imagination and it often runs wild causing me more stress than I’d like to admit. Example: I worry more about my kids now than when they were living at home. I think that is because I no longer have control over who, what, when where, why and how. Nowadays, I send a text and say something like, “Gee, I haven’t heard from you, is everything alright?” Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Now I know I’m not alone in this
Thanks
Laura
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Hi Laura, you are definitely not alone with this! I’ve come up with so many outrageous, imagined scenarios about my kids since they’ve been on their own. I have the kids trained to answer my texts just so I won’t go off the deep end worrying where they are if I reach out to say hi. If they don’t answer, it freaks me out. If I’m worrying about them, sometimes I just have to break down and tell my husband the crazy scenarios I’m imagining and hear him say, “That’s ridiculous.” Then I snap out of it. Well…sometimes. 🙂
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I let my imagination have its own way when it needs to. Otherwise, life would be dull! You have a wonderful imagination, Cathi. Let it live!! ❤️
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Thanks Dorinda. When the “bad side” of my imagination comes out, it feels like Darth Vader is invading my brain. Maybe I should try to appreciate him a little more.
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He’s not such a bad guy. I imagine I’d have a nasty headache if I had to wear that helmet all day. Makes for a not so nice person. Perhaps you can find “The Force” along your travels Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road 😉
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I let that darn thing run with ideas…but then again, I’m kinda quirky. If I don’t let imagination play, no one else will right? PS – my kids always tell me when I’ve gone too far ;-)! And, I love your book and your thoughts on this time in life, I can so relate to what you say!
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I’m so happy you relate! It’s easy to feel alone with this stuff.
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Love this post. I admit, I’m a diet Coke lover. Hope to live to 100 years old. Cheers to you Cathi!
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And cheeers to our Diet Coke! (Or in my case, Coke Zero).
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Cheers, dear friend. I don’t drink coffee. I get my caffeine from my diet Coke! 😍
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So do I! Coffee gives me the jitters, but Coke Zero is perfect.
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I drink so much diet Coke that one of my friend got me a necklace with a gold coke bottle.
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Ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Love it!
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It’s worth it. I love that necklace and wear it proudly! 😉
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🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I totally know how hard it is to reign that bad imagination in! Such a stubborn thing, isn’t it? And every time I think it’s gone and all is well – up it pops again! Maybe do a Stephen King and write horror book, let that bad imagination so something to earn its living! 😂
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Yes, it is! But the good part of imagination makes us creative, so what can we do?
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Not much, it seems, except go with the flow and accept the bad one as well… 🙂 Have a lovely Sunday, Cathi!
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Enjoy this beautiful day too, Sarah!
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Thank you! I´ll try! Lots of house cleaning to do though for a friend who comes to visit tomorrow – lol! 😀
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Ha ha! You’ll be glad you did it when it’s over.
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WOW!! What a conversation! Goes deep! So what do I do not to blow up, thinking about all the pain and sicknesses and losses and death that lie ahead of me? Blow up or turn to ice? I dunno. I don’t. But I’m thinking about my aunt who died at ninety-eight a few years ago. Her son – my cousin – died when she was ninety-two. She called me on the phone. Cried, of course, when she told me. We talked for a while, and we cried together, and at one point she wanted to tell me about a funny thing her son – my cousin – had said once. And she told me in such av funny way that I couldn’t help myself. I laughed. And she laughed. And we both felt good having cried and laughed.
And what does this have to do with imagination. I dunno! But I always felt that her having access to her emotions – sadness as well as gladness – helped us a lot at that moment.
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I don’t know why either…but for some strange reason sadness does seem to be important. I agree. Thank you for sharing the story about your aunt and your cousin. I appreciated seeing the balance in nature and life in those moments.
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Saying what I’ve said here is, of course, another way of telling you how much I appreciate this specific dialogue of yours. It opened up, as you’ve seen, some important thoughts and emotions to me. And this appreciation also applies to all of your dialogues. In various ways they serve me well in giving me associations I wouldn’t otherwise have access to. So thank you so far! Thanks a lot!
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And thank YOU for YOUR meaningful posts! Glad we’re following each other!
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This was really clever of you to show the perspective from both the angles. Enjoyed reading it 🙂
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Thanks! That means sooooo much to me.
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Sometimes I’m able to rein in ‘the voices’ especially when they go off on a negative tangent, then there are times I simply marinate in their juice. I always enjoy your conversations.
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I love your phrase “marinate in their juice.” A perfect image of what that process is like! 🙂
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I forgot to mention, I shared your link for ‘Pay It Forward Thursday’
https://godoggocafe.com/
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Thank you so much! I’m so flattered! Also, you’ve just introduced me to a new blog! 🙂 🙂
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It’s a pleasure 🙂
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🙂 🙂
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Reblogged this on Go Dog Go Café and commented:
Thank you jacquelineobyikocha for this Pay It Forward Thursday shout-out
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Thank you so much! I just started following your blog. Nice to meet you!
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I let myself know I don’t have time for my “bad” imagination and try to fill up my time with positive thoughts and busyness. This works for me most of the time. Great post, BTW!
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I know what you mean. Busyness really helps me, too. Otherwise, I can obsess with negative stuff and it’s hard to pull myself out of it. It’s the Darth Vader side of me. Thanks for your kind words!
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Love this creative musing. You made me (and my imagination) think a lot about …. imagination. I realize that mine has only grown over time, but over all, I like that. However, when imagination turns into worry, then I have to turn the spigot off and start humming or meditating or walking or dancing or praying (or all of the above, since in some ways, they’re all the same). Imagination is different from worrying. You have a FABULOUS imagination – hats off to it (and you, because again, it’s all the same). 🙂
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Interesting and creative post.
I don’t seem to have much problem with imagination. Mine is pretty creative, and I often give it as much reign as it wants, but it’s little or no problem for me to distinguish between what’s real and what’s imaginary.
Thanks for the post!
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Hi Paul, I admire you for being able to give your imagination as much reign as it wants without having trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality. That’s great and my goal! Thanks so much for sharing your perspective.
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