The Power of Vision and Imagination

Jenna Benz
Oct 25, 2016
2 min read

I've been feeling pretty grateful, reflecting on the many moments that I spent visualizing what the future would look like once I was accepted, made the financial pieces work, and began exploring the program here in Hawaii. I'd say the most important aspect of reaching my goals was simply believing that it was possible. And that wasn't easy because I'm a human and like (probably) all of you, I had to leap over hurdles that I created myself. There were many times I tried to convince myself that I wasn't worthy of being here. I thought, "Who am I, a simple individual, to think I can change the world...in paradise?" Well, I can and I am. We are. I don't know for sure what the other limiting beliefs are of those who surround me daily, but I am certain that many personal battles like mine were faced and miraculously conquered to bring us here.

There's something very powerful about visions, imagination. The director of this program, the magnificent Lonnie Gamble, has spent his life cultivating a vision of a new paradigm, a new world-view regarding the way we exist on our planet. He discovered that being a very important element of all societies, education is the fundamental place to begin. And here we are, embracing every moment, every bit of knowledge, every essence of those who have been drawn to us to share their wisdom and truth.

There's a vision that each of the curious, hungry students and faculty have. We come from very diverse places but I have discovered through connecting deeply with the people I spend almost all of my time with, that each of us want to accomplish something unique and also collective. Like Lonnie, we see the possibilities of a world that functions as naturally and beautifully as the earth does, all on its own. By observing, listening and engaging with the land it's not hard to imagine how we can, in fact, create the change that is necessary for harmony and peace here on this perfect, lush, and magical land, our aina.

So we have reached a point in which we are combining our visions and what we have learned so far. The media projects are underway and I think all of us are excited to create and share our collaborations. I encourage readers to engage in your own imaginations with us. Every accomplishment begins with a thought. What can we create together?