Several years ago, I chanced upon an article
in a parenting magazine that said encouraging your own kids to have “imaginary
friends” is healthy. One, it develops
creativity. Second, the writer of the article observed that an imaginary friend
is like a kid’s alter ego. It functions
as the kid’s spokesperson when he or she isn’t confident to express a sentiment
or even some kind of a principle. “Ernie
says I don’t have to go to the dentist anymore ‘coz I already promised that I
won’t eat candies.” “Ernie says candies
are bad for my teeth”.
I believe that having some kind of an
imaginary friend actually helps a person develop psycho-emotional
strength. It makes a person believe in
something unseen yet powerful enough to protect him or her from harm. It is that inner voice, which encourages one
to keep going and believe that deep down inside, he or she can actually rise
above any ordeal. Others call it faith.
