I loved watching SpongeBob growing up, it was one of my favorite shows and always made me laugh. There's SpongeBob’s iconic laugh, him ripping his pants, or that extra crazy SpongeBob Imagination, there was always something to relate to. If you aren’t familiar with SpongeBob, it’s an animated cartoon show that aired on Nickelodeon in 1999. SpongeBob is a sponge who lives underwater in a pineapple, and each episode is about him and his adventures. Notable characters include: Squidward and Patrick (next-door neighbor’s to SpongeBob), Mr. Krabs (SpongeBob’s boss), and Sandy Cheeks (A squirrel from Texas living in a bio-dome). There were 267 episodes of SpongeBob aired, and multiple movies made. What I enjoyed about SpongeBob so much was it’s wholesomeness, and it’s ability to send a positive message in a fun and childlike way.

One of my favorite episodes titled “Idiot Box”, is about SpongeBob’s Imagination. I’m sure you’ve seen countless ‘meme’s’ of it, and it’s popularity increased dramatically. In the episode, SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick order a new TV, but when it arrives they throw the TV into the garbage! The title of the episode is a play on words, with 'television' being called an “idiot box" in the past. After the TV gets thrown away, SpongeBob and Patrick sit inside the box (The literal meaning of the title.) and begin using their imagination to have all sorts of exciting adventures. Mountain Climbing, Racecar driving, flying a space rocket, etc. When SpongeBob’s grumpy neighbor Squidward comes out to see what’s going on, SpongeBob responds by bringing his hands together and lowering them in an arc, saying “Imagination”. The arc from SpongeBob’s hands produces a rainbow, and is one of the most Iconic scenes in SpongeBob!

What Does SpongeBob's Imagination Teach Us About Perspective?

The reason I loved this episode so much (and still do) is because after I watched it, I felt like anything was possible! I remember getting up from watching tv when the episode was over and going straight outside. I looked around and thought to myself: “In what ways can you use your imagination?” The world looked different at that moment, and I started to really use my imagination. I realized that I can see things however I choose. I can choose to view the world as rainbows and butterflies like SpongeBob, or storm clouds and pessimism like Squidward.

It’s the classic glass half empty, or glass half full mentality. Every one of us sees the world through different lenses, and that is what makes us all so unique and beautiful. Our perception creates our reality, and I can attest to this personally. When I’m feeling in a low vibration, and just can’t get out of my own way, things go from bad to worse. I expect the worst and guess what…..bad things happen! This is what Squidward experienced when he became annoyed at the noises from SpongeBob and Patrick’s Imagination in the box. If Squidward can’t enjoy himself than no one can, so he goes inside and watches tv (which every channel is about boxes) and gets even more angry.'

You have access to the most powerful instrument in the world, and it is completely under your control! It weighs about 3 pounds, it goes with you everywhere, and it’s between your ears. You get to choose how you use it. View the world like SpongeBob and enjoy every day, or view it like Squidward and be in a constant state of anger, fear, and loneliness? Try reframing an annoying or negative experience, try to take an objective look at whatever it is. This gives you the ability to take control of how you feel. It’s empowering, it’s uplifting, it raises your vibration, and it builds confidence. Don’t sweat the small stuff, see the good in everyone, expect to get that promotion, love yourself, give the benefit of the doubt!

Squidward was using his imagination during the entire episode as well, without realizing it. He was so stuck on SpongeBob and Patrick having a good time that he was imagining noises outside his house coming from SpongeBob. He began to imagine there was a tape recorder hidden in his house, playing these ridiculous noises. While SpongeBob and Patrick enjoyed their day inside the box, Squidward stewed, sulked, and isolated. You decide how you perceive the world, and you live with the results.

SpongeBob’s Imagination Is Perfect For Manifestation!

SpongeBob’s Imagination was limitless….Between experiencing an avalanche with Patrick or pretending to ‘saw off their legs because of frostbite’ (my favorite part LOL!), there was no limit to what they could imagine. SpongeBob and his imagination could make any situation feel real, like it was actually happening. Putting that intense feeling and emotion behind your manifestation is what gives it power! When you think about your manifestation and it feels so real, and so vivid that you truly believe it’s happening or taking place….That’s when the magic happens!

No matter what it is you want to manifest into your life, whether it’s a new car, a soulmate, or a million bucks, you have to think about it in a way that it’s real….that you’ve already achieved it. Feel the warm, leather heated seat on your thighs in your new Porsche. How about the butterflies in your stomach when you’re around your soulmate? What does the perfume you wear smell like when you know you have $10,000,000 in the bank? When you think about your manifestation in a positive, grateful, and emotional way, and add intense feeling, your brain has trouble telling the difference between imagination and reality. This may seem silly to do at first, but like any muscle, it starts getting stronger over time. We create our realities through our thoughts!

SpongeBob Didn’t Care…

This became one of my favorite aspects of SpongeBob, but not until much later in life. SpongeBob really didn’t care…He didn’t give a F*#%….SpongeBob didn’t care what his neighbor thought when he put a new flat screen tv in the garbage. SpongeBob didn’t care what Squidward was doing inside his house, he was too busy enjoying time with his friend. This is what I love about SpongeBob, and it’s a recurring theme throughout the show. SpongeBob doesn’t care what other people think, he lives life to the beat of his own drum. I admire a cartoon sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea….*sigh*   How much weight do you put in what other people think? Do you feel like you're a different person at work than you are at home? I certainly feel that way, and it’s a work in progress. Like what you like, do what you do, and feel what you feel, regardless of what anyone else thinks! The things that are important to you matter. Live in the moment, enjoy time with your family and friends, work at a burger restaurant and be the best there is at it. Be like SpongeBob.  

Or maybe…..be like Eleanor Roosevelt instead! You decide whose opinion matters to you, or if it’s even valid! Now don’t get me wrong, there are some peoples opinions that I take into serious consideration. I ask for advice from family, friends, mentors, teachers, and people I respect. I’m always interested in hearing from a 3rd party or an objective opinion though. What I do with that information or those opinions is up to me. Someone doesn’t like my favorite shirt and decides to express it to me….Great! I know where they can shove that opinion, because I’ll be to buried in that shirt! But If a stranger mistakes me for a homeless person, and I haven’t showered….or seen daylight in 80 hours….uhhh might want to take a hint I should clean up. Listen to opinions, different beliefs, opposite points of view, and take what you want….LEAVE THE REST! 

SpongeBob Imagination Can Give Us A Better Understanding Of Ourselves

Any cartoon, or show, or book, or situation for that matter can give us a deeper understanding of who we really are. Who do you relate to more, SpongeBob or Squidward? I would imagine you have a favorite TV show, and relate with one of the characters. What are they like? Do they see the world glass half empty or glass half full? Are they arrogant or super successful, or smart, or a dick, or funny? Why do you relate to them? These questions can help answer why we think, believe, and view things the way we do.

Make a conscious decision to look on the bright side. Think positively, and see life as an exciting adventure! The world can be whatever you make it, all you have to do is…