Imagine That (Opening) - Noah benShea at TEDxAmericanRiviera

Noah benShea is an international best-selling author, and respected scholar, theologian, long range thinker and executive advisor. His inspirational thoughts are branded and tied with some of the largest companies including Starbucks, American Greetings, Lucky Brand Jeans, C&H Sugar, and Costco.

Imagine that.

Hello, my name is Noah.

Imagine that to imagine

is the canvas of every painting

waiting to be born

on every artist brush.

And we are, in our collective individuality,

the paint,

the painter

and the painting.

Imagine that the definition of imagination

defied definition,

and was as mysterious and as ineffable

as the name of God.

Imagine that to imagine was not a to-do list,

but a to-be list.

Imagine that to imagine was the soul's promise

to every caterpillar in every cocoon

that unseen wings were already being born.

To imagine is the seeing of things

which do not exist.

To imagine is to envision

how what does not exist might yet look.

To imagine is to comprehend that who you are

is only this moment's truth.

And the truth of who you are

is always in a state of gestation.

To imagine is to take a running leap

when a measured step, we are told,

is the socially agreed sanity.

To imagine is not to imagine you are a poet,

but to know you are poetry,

reminding yourself to take notes

and take note.

To imagine is to dream the "yes, you can",

"yes, you will".

To imagine is the permission given

every parent to dream of a better world

for every child

and their children's children.

Just as parents should not kiss their children

so they will kiss them back,

but so they will kiss their children

and their children's children.

To imagine is not your right.

It is your responsibility.

To imagine is not a distant land.

It is not ahead of you.

It is within you.

And you are the passport to imagination.

Oh, do not ask, "What is it?"

Let us go

and make our visit.

Imagine that.