Fueling Imagination and Creativity: The Weenie Can Breathe!

After hearing a number of stories from my husband’s childhood, a person in their right mind would have ran and never looked back. Instead I was intrigued. The stories were entertaining. No, they were unbelievably hilarious, and the thought never crossed my mind that these same strange genes could possibly transfer to my future seeds. 

We can describe one of his younger brothers as a straggly, thin little something, mind as sharp as a tack and a body as thin as a steal pole. Imagine it’s dinner time and instead of eating his hot dog, your child repeatedly sticks his fork into his weenie so much so that it becomes a distraction and initiates feelings of concern. When asked, “What are you doing,” with innocent seriousness he responds, “I am poking the weenie so it can breathe.”

I know what you are thinking, and get that confused look off of your face. It is sort of funny, a tad bit concerning, and the red flags are definitely waving, but there is something fascinating about the innocence of a child’s mind. There was a time in your life and mine when the statement anything is possible would stand against any challenge. To others, our thoughts sounded unrealistic, impossible, or plain crazy, but because the thoughts were our own, we did not need the approval of others. Inanimate objects could talk, we could fly, and according to that innocent mind, with enough holes, that weenie could breath.

When we begin to experience the realities of life, some earlier than others, we tend to create a harsh world that absorbs negativity and rejects almost every possibility of the impossible. Our hearts can begin to grow cold resulting in an ability to crush innocent minds, sometimes the minds of our own children. We can learn from those younger than ourselves by simply allowing their innocence to penetrate the walls of our doubt, fear, worry and uncertainty. 

Can you imagine if his parents responded negatively, calling him foolish or discouraging him from being himself? That one experience could have stunted the imaginative growth of the next creative genius. We always want our children to be in touch with reality, but too much uncertainty travels far beyond basic comprehension. A seed of incompetence, inferiority, rejection or discouragement can quietly grow and affect self-esteem, self-image and self-confidence so I choose to believe. Weenies can breath, in a figurative sense of course. Our belief in the impossible fuels our dreams and stretches us to try the very things that others say are impossible.

I remember as a young child my mother told my siblings and I that we could do anything, and we tried everything. Although we were short in stature, we attempted basketball, football, wrestling, and track. Although my family was far from rich, that didn't stop us from pursuing cheerleading, out of state orchestra trips, and out of country vacations.

My mom planted and watered those seeds in us so early that even when she did or said something contradictory to “You can do anything,” we reminded her and proved that statement to be true. We were not successful because we were so smart, more athletic, or because we had insurmountable strength. We were successful because we believed, and because we believed we had heart.