Rocket Ismail to Tiger Woods: Using Ideas as a form of community

Something occurred to me today that I never noticed before:   Ideas are a form of community. 

Community doesn’t have to just be people, it can be anything that we surround ourselves with!  And, it seems to me that between ideas and people, ideas are the most powerful form of community.  Yes, there is the obvious mental and emotional benefit of physically being connected with different people - we are a social species.  But the real power seems to be when we create many ideas in our minds, and convince ourselves of them more and more.

Raghib “Rocket” Ismail was the first person I ever heard talk about visualization.  Before the infamous clipping call punt return in the Orange Bowl, Rocket said he was picturing himself returning the punt for a touchdown.  Tiger Woods frequently spoke about visualization.  Today, I believe the majority of professional athletes do visualization work.  

I am focussing on the positive and the good, but we all know that the opposite is equally possible.  That there can be a community of negative and hurtful ideas as well.  

And are these ideas not a form of community?  Don’t these ideas create a feeling of community within yourself?  This is why it is so critical we are aware of our own thoughts.  If our thoughts revealed themselves as actual people, how many of those people would you surround yourself with?  How many of them would be people that are supporting you, helping you out and filling you with confidence?  

Yes indeed.  Ideas certainly are a form of community.  And just as I am extremely selective about who I surround myself with, I need to be even more selective about what I surround myself with.