“The very core of peace and love is imagination. All altruism springs from putting yourself in the other person’s place.”
–Harry Emerson Fosdick
Imagination, the act of forming mental images of what is not actually present, allows us to dream of things that are not yet reality, see things from the viewpoints of others and travel mentally to wherever we wish to go. It is the source of inspiration and the beginning of creativity. Every great advance in science and in human relations has its roots in imagination. In the words of Albert Einstein, “imagination is more important than knowledge.”
All things are not possible, as some people contend, but many things that were thought impossible in the past have become reality. When it comes to solving problems or striving for success, some of us too easily conclude that the problems are unsolvable or that our goals are unattainable even before we have made an all out effort to bring about the desired result. We are our own worst enemies in this regard. We tell ourselves that we cannot do this or that because we will not succeed. We fail to use our imagination to see how the desired result can be attained.
Harry Emerson Fosdick, who served as pastor of Riverside Church in New York City from 1926-1946, became one of the most influential clergymen in American history. He is highly respected for his uncommon wisdom. Among the many quotations taken from his writings and sermons is the powerful statement that introduced this column. Two more of his profound statements are: “Nothing in human life, least of all in religion, is ever right until it is beautiful,” and “Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.”
Indeed, there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people. Most of us never even come close to utilizing our maximum potential. Throughout the ages, seemingly ordinary people have risen to the occasion and demonstrated extraordinary ability. Such people had strong imaginations. The case of Helen Keller is a powerful motivational story for anyone who underestimates his potential.
At nineteen months of age, Keller was struck with an acute illness that left her blind and deaf. Despite her extreme disability, Helen Keller, with the aid of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, and others, inspired millions throughout the world. Among other things, Keller’s amazing achievements changed the way the world looked at the physically handicapped. She traveled throughout the world giving inspirational speeches and she wrote several books. Helen Keller must have had an awesome imagination even though she was deprived of sight and hearing, which contribute so much to our imaginations.
Think about it.
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Copyright 2026
Allen W. Smith
