Necessity of Imagination

Imagination is so key to our everyday lives. The majority of society use it to run away from our problems, some use it to create another life, and others use it to escape the boredom of the ins and outs of one meaningless day after another meaningless day. But there is a minority who use it for what it is really meant for: the combination of reflected thought and insightful language for the application of influential speech.
Let me explain.
I just recently finished a book by Northrop Frye called the Educated Imagination which is a splendid and thought-provoking read, yet a mere sixty five pages in length. Frye writes a collection of his thoughts on the link between literature and imagination and how they are both valuable in moulding an individual's mind. Image and conceived image that society creates for us are important points in his words. His words inspire and teach the individual that we need to educate our minds and step away from the mass collective of sheep standing in line waiting to be sheared; to be an individual. I read, re-read, read some more, and then re-read after that. I learned some things. Here you go and may you enjoy.
Necessity is the link between what we want and what we need. There are many tangible necessities in life: food, water, and sleep being the main staples. Clothing is deemed necessary by society but there are many cultures that do not believe in that necessity. I personally know of one such culture just below the University of British Columbia campus called Wreck Beach that feels the same way. Clothing is en par with image, and image whether you want to admit it or not, is defined by your peers and that of mass society.

Society is made up of a collective of individual cliques that strives to define and maintain who we are, what we are, and what we eventually become through our chosen image. It defines what a freak is and who the freaks are through their choice of dress and mannerisms; it defines what high class is and who is considered to be upper echelon through their dress and mannerisms; and it defines what cool is by well-placed styled and choice of language and actions.
However, the irony is that although mass society defines image, it is the individual who defines style for the masses. That is, personal style is key in maintaining image but a person with style dresses not for others but more to influence the thoughts of others. In other words, I dress to impress your image of me but your image of me has nothing to do with my identity. If you stripped me down to bare skin it would not strip my identity because my identity is formed through personal reflection of who I am. No one can take that away from me; no one should be able to take that away from you. The clothing you wear is not necessarily who you are but more so a reflection of the fact you are comfortable in your identity of being an individual.

Your imagination is an expression of that individuality.
Individual imagination is the link between creativity and personal growth: see your self as being a certain person, make it a wish in life, apply that wish to your will, and decide it is what you need to be truly happy in life. This does not mean money or possessions, it is not about the wants in life, it is more about the needs in life. It is needed to reflect on what is truly important to us and what we have always felt was missing in our existence.

Therefore, it is necessary to understand the role of imagination and, specifically, the necessity of an educated imagination. We educate our selves through the act of discipline and breaking our thoughts down into a pseudo-funnel of speech. By funneling that speech through logic and applied reasoning, we are able to speak in words designed to not only influence, but to apply scenarios and analogies to life. Imagination is not only important for internal thought but for an external expression of language. If the spoken word is nothing more than a thought expressed into language, then would it not make sense to understand how an educated imagination aids us in developing our thoughts into a more coherent level of understanding for everyone?

We all have a vivid imagination but do we all apply it to our everyday lives? We all have dreams but do we all believe so strongly in those dreams that we can imagine them happening? We all have goals and objectives but do we all place the educated discipline into achieving them? It is not that hard, my friends, it only takes a creative imagination, an education of your mind, discipline in following your dreams, and application of wish and will.

No, it may not happen over night, and yes, there is a chance of failure in your journey. But, without actually taking that first step, you will never really know what true success tastes like. Dreams are not there for the taking for everyone but they are there for those who believe anything is possible. They are there for those who see life as more than a day in-day out shuffle through time and space.

So, go on, be an individual: think a little harder; imagine you are teaching in front of a class; walking on foreign sands; or making music for the masses to sing and dance to. Don't let society define you but instead define your own identity and educate the masses on the importance of style; the importance of reflected thought and applicated imagination. Live for you not for others. Be a minority: I dare you.

Can you see it? Can you feel it? But, most of all...can you live it? Reach for the stars and you will find they are closer than you imagined. Until we meet again, my friends, until we meet again.

"In these days, we are in a hare-and-tortoise race between mob rule and education: to avoid collapsing into mob rule we have to try to educate a minority that'll stand out against it."

- Northrop Frye