Imagine

Alright, let’s do a little activity. Close your eyes. Or, no, don’t close your eyes. Then you won’t be able to read further! Just concentrate then. I shall present to you a scenario. Here we go.

Imagine a life different from the one you live now, but maybe not.

Imagine you’re thirsty, and you’re in the mood for a can of Coke. When you go to get one, you are told you may not have any because it is bad for you. You are still thirsty, but all you are permitted to drink is milk or water, neither of which you really want. You want the Coke. It’s sitting right there in the fridge. But others have decided for you that you should not drink it.

Imagine after a long day working, you finally get a break and want to play your XBox. You’re playing your favorite game for maybe 20 minutes before you are ordered to shut it off. Not because anyone else wants to use it or the TV, but because you are told you shouldn’t be playing so long, that you should be using your time doing something else. You’re in the middle of a new level and are doing well, quite immersed and excited about the game, enjoying what was before a rather frustrating day, yet it is time, by someone else’s choosing, to stop doing an activity you are enjoying.

Imagine you are really frustrated, but should you utter a swear word or “talk back” or speak in a less than respectful manner, you will lose privileges or perhaps get slapped across the face.

Imagine that you have to live day in and day out with that fear.

Imagine being forced to address people you’ve known for many years at “Mr. or Ms.” for fear of loss of privileges.

Imagine having to carry a heavy bag all day long, but when you get home and sit down to watch TV, you are told you need to get exercise because you are lazy.

Imagine having to ask for permission to watch a show you want to watch.

Imagine having to ask for permission for almost everything you do.

Imagine nursing a stinging red slap mark on your cheek, because you told a joke that was not considered appropriate for “someone like you”.

Imagine severe exhaustion from working for six hours plus ten more hours of work at home, causing you to go to bed late when you have to be up early, yet still being blamed for not having good sleeping patterns.

Imagine every single thing in your life that brings you any joy can be taken away at any moment because your conduct was inadequate.

Imagine being forbidden from seeing a loved one because you unwittingly made a “rude” facial expression.

Imagine having to live with the possibility of your possessions being taken away or destroyed because you came home a few minutes late.

Seriously imagine all of this. Imagine your life now and if you were suddenly cast into this. Think about how this would make you feel. Think about how miserable you would be having to live like this. Think about what you could possibly have done to deserve such a life. Don’t make excuses for it. Don’t just think that you should just avoid whatever behavior would result in the bad stuff. Imagine you’ve gone from not having these restrictions, not having these penalties, to being thrust into such a life. Truly imagine it. Imagine it long and hard.

And just TRY to tell me that doesn’t depress the hell out of you.

What have you done to deserve it? What good does it do you?