Unless you have fallen straight from the sky into the earthly world, entry into this world has always been welcomed with initiation.  Depending on which part of the world you were born in, one would always be given into the hands of some imaginary friends or guardians.

It is not that we consciously consent or agree to accept these imaginary friends; we are just never granted the opportunity to figure anything out for ourselves. This is done with the assumption that we are too little to even imagine what this world is about.

Therefore, like puppies and chickens, we need to be raised more than to be guided to find our own way. The assumption is also that the way the ones who came before us live is the only way and, therefore, those with experience have naturally assumed the duty and entitlement of that custodianship.

As much as one may become aware of the shortcomings of the concept of imaginary friends, one can also not take away its deserved place in this world. Unless one does so without imagining a world in its absence and perhaps what they would replace it with.

Sometimes, it takes some form of deep thinking before one dives into being dismissive or critical of this concept.  That is why those who have invested their sweat and blood would also do anything to defend it.

With all that said, it would also be great to understand that just as with computers, consciousness requires some sort of programme.  In the computer world, you would call it software but with consciousness, it can simply be referred to as beliefs.  The mere fact that we are part of creation and being granted the consciousness of creation means we create our own lives and experiences.  Simply said, whether imaginary friends are real or not has no relevance but what matters is that it creates the life of our desired outcomes. At times it even becomes the only last thing one hinges on for existence, especially when life happenings become unfathomable.

With these friends as imaginary as they may be, in their arms our life’s wishes and dreams are manifested, our hopes reinforced, and life’s meaning is discovered. In fact, imaginary friends and guardians may be more dependable than visible and tangible ones. Now, with the knowledge of the creative powers we have through the gift of imagination, we have the power to create the world we would love to see and experience – be it for ourselves and/or others.  This is without dismissing the fact that one may also create a favourable world through whatever programme they may wish to adopt, even if it may not include being in the arms of imaginary friends.

*karlsimbumusic@gmail.com

Uncommon Sense is published every Friday in the New Era newspaper with contributions from Karlos Naimhwaka