I truly believe that imagination is one of the most valuable capabilities of the mind for human beings of all ages. In fact, as we age, it becomes more important to exercise our imaginations. The more we are able to use our imaginations in adulthood, the more loving, compassionate and kind human beings we can be.
In 2008, JK Rowling delivered a commencement address to students at Harvard University. In her speech, she spoke about the importance of imagination in making a difference in the world. She shared with students regarding imagination: “...it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.”
From a very young age, our theory of mind begins to develop. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), theory of mind is defined as “the ability to understand that others have thoughts and feeling all their own.” One way children commonly exercise their imaginations and develop theory of mind is through role play. The APA states: “Children’s role play suggests that they can enact what people might do in a given situation by a process of simulation …it simply requires them to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and see how they themselves will react.”
As we grow older and enter into the world as adults, it is even more important than ever that we are able to put ourselves in others shoes. We should try and imagine what others lives are like, even when their experiences are very different from our own. Sadly, there is so much suffering in the world and there are people that are facing injustice every day. But, every day for the rest of our lives, we have the opportunity to make a change for the better for those who are suffering and facing the injustices. We are empowered to raise our voices for the voiceless and become advocates for what we believe in. As adults, we are the role models to the younger generations. These young people, watching us now, will someday become our world leaders. It is our choice whether or not we teach them to use their imagination to empathize with others. We must show them how to spread kindness and love. It is all in the way we treat others: it is in our actions; it is in our words; it is in the way we listen.
As Rowling stated in her speech: “If you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped change. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”
