" If I Can Imagine It, It Can Materialize!"

  

AXIOMS OF COMMUNICATION

What does it mean?

In mathematics or logic, an axiom is an unprovable rule, or first principle accepted as true because it is self-evident or particularly useful. “Nothing can both be and not be at the same time and in the same respect” is an example of an axiom. The term is often used interchangeably with a postulate, though the latter term is sometimes reserved for mathematical applications (such as the postulates of Euclidean geometry). (Merriam-Webster dictionary)

Watzlawick’s Chapter 2

We need to first understand the simple properties of communication that have fundamental interpersonal implications. (Watzlawick 2.1). Watzlawick explains that there is a property of behavior that is basic and overlooked: stating that behavior has no opposite. There is no such thing as non-behavior or, one cannot not behave. I bring Watzlawick up because after reading the text, I agree. The concept is true, and yet I never thought about it. The text explains that even when we don’t speak and are non-verbal, we are giving off messages. This explanation has helped me understand what an axiom is. The summary (2.7) explains further that an individual does not communicate but becomes part of communication. The person is engaging in communication by moving, and making noise, using their five senses, but does not originate communication, but is a participant. (28,p.104)

An Axiom of my own: “If I Can Imagine It, It Can Materialize!”

Imagination is defined, as the faculty or action of forming a new idea, or images that are not present to the senses. The ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful. When I say imagination, I am not referring to magic as if you can imagine a hot cup of coffee in your hand and it just appears. What I am talking about is the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding, through thought, experience, and the senses (cognition), and using your own frame of reference to perceive and interpret what you want to happen.

What You Think Affects What Happens

Anyone can use their imagination to make things happen physically. Your frame of reference determines whether what will happen is good or evil. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV) If you meditate on good things, you will produce good, but if you meditate on evil things, you will produce evil. Imagination is used every day, from getting up in the morning to going to bed. If you can’t imagine where you parked your car, it will take some time to find it.

Any communication implies a commitment and thereby defines the relationship. This is another way of saying that communication not only conveys information but that at the same time it imposes behavior. (Watzlawick)

Your imagination is your ability to do something with your heart that you can’t see with your eyes. It is your spiritual womb, where things are conceived. You have to believe right now for the future, then you will see it with your eyes. (Andrew Womack)

What we think in our hearts (imagination) affects what we say and will affect the outcome of what happens.  If we are participating verbally and speaking positive or negative things, we will bring those things that we say to the physical. “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Matthew 12:34b)

Guard Your Heart-Train your Heart

King Solomon said: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV). I believe he said this because the heart is where all your dreams and desires and passions live. It connects with God and other people. So, above all else, denotes that it should be the priority.

The Hebrew word for imagination is yester and is the ability to share in the divine creative power. However, yester can be used for good or evil. “The imagination of a man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21, Genesis 6:5).

The bible says “ The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ” I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jerimiah 17:9-10 NIV) It’s important to search your thoughts and take an assessment of what you are thinking before you act. The law of the land will also reward you according to what your deeds deserve. If you break the law, you will go to jail.

With meditation and faith, one can train one’s heart to imagine heavenly things to materialize heavenly blessings. The book of Joshua says “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8 NIV)

Chapter 2 of Watzlawick states the report aspect of a message conveys information and is, therefore synonymous in human communication with the content of the message. The command aspect, on the other hand, refers to what sort of message it is to be taken as, and, therefore ultimately to the relationship between the communicants. It may be about anything that is communicable regardless of whether the information is true or false, valid, or invalid. (Bateson (I32, pp.179….:81) As senders and receivers, we are inundated with many messages and so we need to always check our frame of reference to make sure we have a good perception.

In conclusion, can you see that this assertion “If I Can Imagine It, It Can Materialize” is a confident statement that presents itself to be a worthy axiom? What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?