We all – adults and children, writers and readers – have an obligation to daydream. We have an obligation to imagine. It is easy to pretend that nobody can change anything, that we are in a world in which society is huge and the individual is less than nothing: an atom in a wall, a grain of rice in a rice field. But the truth is, individuals change their world over and over, individuals make the future, and they do it by imagining that things can be different.Neil Gaiman
What if the mess we are in is all down to our failure of the imagination? Of being stuck in the dark tunnel of repetitive nothingness? Of having forgotten how to rebel? Of feeling part of it, of being responsible?
I think you've probably summed things up quite well there.
ReplyDeleteI read about a group of young people who staged a hunger strike and sit-in at the Speaker of the House office of Nancy Pelosi (here in the crazy USA). They call themselves Extinction Rebellion. They are a world-wide effort of young people. Greta Thunberg reminds us that individuals make a difference. I'd be part of any great march, strike, sit-in, rebellious gathering. I don't know how to make it happen, but I'll be there when it does.
ReplyDeletemaybe. probably. kids aren't allowed freedom anymore, no taking off in the morning and coming home before dark. no having to make up your own games and stories. schools no longer allow playtime or art or music, daydreaming in frowned upon.
ReplyDeleteWe should definitely use more art, drama, books, and music to change the world. Art is an individual action. Politics alone is inadequate. People burn out on politics. Art motivates and sustains us. Let's get to it.
ReplyDeleteAs always, Sabine, thank you for food for the mind and heart. This is where my mind and heart went after reading your quote and your questions for us:
ReplyDeletehttps://members.tortoisemedia.com/2019/02/25/harry-potter/content.html?sig=gW6UtbzuVkYWW0hP4Qu6uauVwEyK1buTstctbFz9dco
and this young man:
https://youtu.be/RZ4uQENAtWg
and imagining not only people saving the country but people saving the world:
https://youtu.be/JM1zgM7K5Bg
It always has been and always is and will be a challenge to combine imagination with individual action while sustaining the consciousness of being individual but not alone. What better use of our limited time here?
Oh, I love this. Our collective imaginations have the force and power to transform our outer existence. I do believe this. A Tibetan monk once told me to change the world, we have only to change ourselves. Wonderful quote.
ReplyDeletea failure of the imagination.
ReplyDeleteWhen my young daughter went to school and turned from a bright and happy child into a fearful ghost, I went to the school to investigate. Her teacher rewarded the children with candy and she told me my child daydreamed too much. We took her out of that school and found her another where daydreaming was encouraged..
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