Imagination Station

So, I have been packing and organizing preparing for my big move, and I found a speech I wrote for a public speaking class about imagination my sophomore year of college. I call it "Imagination Station."

Gazing into the sky. Recollecting on your day, daydreaming and imagining all of your aspirations come into fruition. Smiling. Giggling. Laughing. Soaking in the blessings of life with innocence. Free to be who you want to be, both carefree and compassionate. Overflowing with enthusiasm, motivation, and resiliency. In the foreground, soft, high pitched voices are audible singing songs like “ring around a rosy, a pocketful of posies. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.” As we grow older, somewhere during our transitions we forget to continuously embody these traits from childhood. We were once imaginative, creative beings. Now we seemed to have forgotten how to have fun. As George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” So, let's take a tour within our own individual minds and remember the true meaning behind our fun by reflecting on childhood.

As a kid there was no such thing as boredom. If you felt as if there was nothing to do, you created your own pleasure, by simply allowing your imagination to run wild. You explored new social roles and tried out new ways to interact. You did not allow situations to serve as hindrances. For example, as a child you were not allowed to cross the street by yourself, but when you played you could be a Prince or Princess that rules a kingdom and is allowed to roam about. Thinking outside of the box was common. Everyday objects could be personified and assist in play. Like, you see this jump rope if you are playing jungle, it could be a snake or perhaps a river that extends beyond your view. Many of us even upset our parents on Christmas, when we were more interested in playing with the box the toy came in, instead of the toy.

Not only did imaginative play, provide us with opportunities to develop positive attitudes, but it also encouraged cooperation, decision making, patience, and promoted interactions. Now let's all imagine that we are on a playground and this is recess. Being outdoors represents limitless boundaries, because although we may be confined to a certain area, we are out in the open and able to observe nature. Looking up towards the sky, we see airplanes flying and can concoct stories with our friends on its' destinations. We can play in the sandbox, and pretend to dig for treasure or reach some unknown place. The trees and bushes are not just plants that grow, but can be a great hiding spot for a game of hide and go seek.

In closing, the most important thing to do is to reflect on your childhood and strive to possess the fearless, innocent, energetic, and unbreakable spirits you once had and apply them to your current lives. Imagination allows us the freedom to step beyond reality. What can you imagine?

Keep Climbing,