Wish Upon a Star
By: Sue
Dickinson
Several years ago I worked in Downtown Denver on the 16th Street
Mall. The Mall is an eclectic place, where people feel comfortable
expressing themselves. You will see teenagers with spiky hair and
leather clothing on the Mall shuttle, side by side with businessmen
in suits. Musicians perform on the corners for donations, and
lawyers and clerks hurry through the streets, anxious to get to
court.
But, in the midst of this diverse gathering, there was one mall
resident that nobody could quite believe. He was a large man, tall
and about 250 lbs, and he spent every lunch hour roller skating
through the Mall ... in a tank top and tutu. Quite a spectacle, but
this man didnt seem to even notice the commotion he was causing.
He skated blissfully on, beaming, lost in his fantasy.
I still think of that man/ballerina sometimes. I dont know what
his life was like. I dont know what his "day job" was, if he had a
home, or a family. But I do know that for a short time, each day,
in his mind, he was a beautiful ballerina on skates. And thats
exactly what he wanted to be.
Imagination and fantasy can play an important role in achieving
the things we fear. Children know this very well. Fred Epstein, in
his book "If I make it to Five" tells the story of Matthew, a
four-year-old boy with a tumor in his spinal cord. He endured
several surgeries and a whole lot of pain by mastering his
imagination.
Matthew loved to pretend, and he particularly loved costumes.
Many people found it strange that Matthew preferred to dress as
Zorro, Spiderman, or in any of the many other superhero costumes he
owned, but Dr. Epstein explained that it was actually a brilliant
way for his young mind to handle the terrifying and painful life he
led.
Dr. Epstein went on to tell the story of Matthews third trip to
the operating room for spinal surgery. Matthew was terribly afraid
the night before they were scheduled to return to the hospital.
"Maybe I could go as Batman" he whispered to his mom. Although she
had avoided purchasing the expensive costume, she relented, and the
next day Matthew 'arrayed himself in a cocoon of superhuman
strength,' as he, now the powerful Batman, swaggered through the
hospital halls, coolly raising his hand in acknowledgement to the
people greeting him along the way. And Matthew, girded with the
strength of his fantasy, successfully made it through the
surgery.
The power of imagination need not be reserved for the children
and the eccentric among us. We all have the power to use our
fantasies to attempt things we never thought possible, to endure
things that seem unendurable, and to go places we never believed we
could. Motivational speakers call it "imagery". Psychologists call
it "self-actualization". I prefer Walt Disneys interpretation: "If
you can dream it, you can do it."
Dont worry, Im not suggesting you go out and purchase roller
skates and a tutu, or dress as a superhero for your next job
interview (although Ive always wanted a couple of those magic
Wonder Woman bracelets). But, next time you are tested in a way
that seems insurmountable, imagine what it would take to overcome
it. Become the person you need to become to triumph over your
challenge and do it in your mind first.
You may be surprised at how fantasizing about a victorious
conclusion will very often give you the strength and the resources
you need to make it come true. Walt Disney further reminds us "When
you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, when you
wish upon a star, your dreams come true." So, let your imagination
run wild, and dare to dream! It can happen to you!
