TRUTH . . . AND THE IMAGINATION

A strong imagination is a wonderful gift, but one not possessed by all. Those who lack in this area seem to miss much of the excitement of life yet are likely to be compensated by a much smoother ride.

My wife and I illustrate the point perfectly. Innumerable times I have said to her, 'This place is not how I imagined it. How about you?' Eileen's inevitable reply would be, 'I didn't think about it'. She waits until arrival to see what a place is like. Although she thoroughly enjoys every moment of the present, there is no savouring of the future and no disappointment on arrival.

So often the reverse is true in my case. When the 'sports facilities' prove not to be a full scale fitness suite and an Olympic size pool, but one small table tennis table, then I regret having substituted a vivid imagination for an intelligent enquiry. Eileen and I would have done better to work together.

However, that is not a serious application of the issue; but think of the pain caused by undisciplined imagination whilst waiting for the results of a personal scan, or speculating on the development of a serious illness in the case of a loved one.

Of course insisting we cease to dwell on morbid possibilities can be like telling a hungry child he can think about anything he wants to - except a Big Mac! Forbidding seems to increase the attraction.

When my fertile imagination begins to run amok, leading me into the dangerous paths of Possible Dire Consequences, I know it is time to rest back, take a few deep breaths, indulge a wry smile at past inaccuracies and return to the present moment. 'We don't know that; it may not be the truth of the matter' I tell myself. Then, in my weakness, I lean inward into the One who is my true inner life. Years ago I learned the truth that 'Of myself I can do nothing' (to quote the words of Jesus), but now I was learning that everything is possible to those whose weakness is infused with divine strength. It is taking a painfully long time to perfect this understanding as I will explain in a later chapter which covers my experience with a neuropsychologist. It seems I need a lot of help from a lot of people!

You may object that a strong imagination is not a weakness, and I would agree that it can be a tremendous asset sparking off a creativity to bring satisfaction and serve our fellow man. I have also repeatedly found that our strengths can invariably become our weaknesses too. We can go over the top. Armed with this foreknowledge we have nothing to fear as our imagination comes under control. We can return to the truth now and not follow outrageous thoughts. That is likely to lead to us being less dissipated and so better equipped to cope with whatever happens when it happens.

© Maurice Smith 2004

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