Pure Imagination

I can't remember the first time I ever watched Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. I just remember it being a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've watched it countless times. As a little kid I was blown away by all the candy and magic that came with the factory. I longed to visit a place like that, equipped with a chocolate river and all! I loved how sweet Charlie was, I laughed when Violet turned Violet, I wanted to try an everlasting Gobstopper. I was terrified of that ride on the river, and I used to fast forward through that part. I knew that in order to be rewarded as a kid, I couldn't be greedy or selfish like the other characters in the movie. I even loved Mr. Wonka himself, for as sarcastic and sometimes scary as he was.

I continued to love the movie through adulthood. I appreciated things differently. Like how close Charlie and Grandpa Joe were and how the movie showed the importance of family. That if we treat others well, and do the right thing, good things will come. That we should be grateful for every moment, every experience, and everything we have.

But above all of these things, the biggest take away from Willy Wonka is this:

 If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it; want to change the world... there's nothing to it.

That was always my favorite part in the movie, when Mr. Wonka is singing this song. And maybe I didn't fully understand the words when I was a kid, but as I got older I sure did. That song is one of my all time favorites. I am brought to tears nearly every time I listen to it. It's so simple, but so beautiful. Paradise, as we know it, is right here. Right in front of us. And if there's something that needs to be changed, we have the power to change it. How amazing is that? Our minds, our imaginations, are really a beautiful, powerful thing. They can give us hope, they can give us ideas, they can give us power and confidence.

I often have conversations with God or my guardian angel. Sometimes, I doubt that these are real. Am I just making it up? Is it just my imagination? When I asked this question to a spiritual director, her response was "Did God not create your imagination?"

That was the only answer I needed. I no longer doubt the power of my imagination. As the song states, there is no life I know to compare with Pure Imagination.

When news of Gene Wilder's death broke a few weeks ago, my heart broke right along with millions of other people across the globe who were inspired by this movie or other work that Gene Wilder did. I'll always think of him as Willy Wonka. I'll always hear him sing the words of Pure Imagination. He made that movie what it is for me and for so many other people. I know that he had many great projects outside of this movie, but I can't help but imagine him up in Heaven in his Wonka costume, joking with kids and eating candy. Pure Imagination.

Bonus: Here is the Glee Cast covering Pure Imagination. One of my favorite covers they ever did It's just the audio but worth the listen.  :)

Imagine

How many times a day do you say the word imagine? Am I in the minority if I say it A LOT? "Can you imagine?" Is one of my favorite phrases. Maybe I'm a dreamer. Scratch that- I know I'm a dreamer. My mind is full of dreams for myself, others, wonders, hopes. People often tag the word imagine with kids (or a Beatles song). It's true, kids have a vivid imagination. They can play make believe for hours and pretend to be astronauts or superhero's without taking time to plan or give it much thought- they just do it. But guess what? So do adults. We just don't always realize it.

Our imagination can take us a long way. So often during the day my little mind is working, full of bright ideas and dreams. But how often do I actually pursue them, push them, keep going? Not often enough. I brush them aside, keep working and living my life.

I learned a few years ago how faith filled our imaginations can be. I was having a conversation with one of my favorite nunlettes, Sr. Rochelle. I told her that often times, I suddenly had a new idea or thought, but I was never sure if it was God or just by imagination. I will never forget Rochelle's response "Did God not create your imagination?".

Her answer stuck with me, and I continue to remind myself of that- that sometimes those little thoughts that come out of nowhere are God speaking. That those crazy little ideas actually have some truth in them, and all it takes is for us to listen, and then act.

I have a little example of this- maybe not the best example, but one that came first to my mind.

A few years ago I was applying for a job at my high school. Now, if you know me at all, you know how much I loved my high school. It was my "Dream job". I had been wanting that position to open up, so as soon as it did I sent in my resume and cover letter. I got called pretty quickly for an interview and I was ecstatic. But something in my mind kept saying "this isn't right". I thought it was self negativity, so I just ignored it, went on my interview. I got a second interview. I, again, had those thoughts about the job not being right for me. But I prayed and prayed that I would get it anyways- I needed a job, and I thought I wanted that one. As you all know, I didn't get that job. The initial shock and heartbreak was a tough loss, but just days afterwards it fully hit me- that job WASN'T right for me, and that closed door led me to where I am now. And God knew all along, that wasn't where I belonged.

Do you see how imagination and faith are parallel? So for my fellow dreamers out there, act on your dreams. Listen to your ideas and imaginations. Trust your instincts. Imagine.

I wrote up a little poem of all the things that I think would make this world a better place.

When I imagine a perfect world
I imagine a place with no hate
No violence
Imagine we only spoke kindly
To one another and of ourselves
Imagine worries don't exist
Imagine endless amounts of
energy, compassion, love
Imagine seeing God
in everyone we meet
What I wouldn't give
To live in this world
That I imagine