Grisham's Lessons #13

In this excerpt from Legend of Crystal Cove, Larry highlights the gift of imagination. In keeping with his objectives, imagination is one of those powerful tools, that when used properly, can catapult us out of present circumstances into a new reality.

As a prelude, let us be reminded that Tyler is the autistic member of The Island Gang. And while the temptation here was to say that Tyler suffers from autism, in reality, Tyler doesn’t suffer all that much. In fact, I would venture to say that he may never suffer as much as the average person, since his limitations prevent his thoughts or actions from straying into areas that tend to create trouble. That said he does have the ability to live outside of reality, as this snippet from the chapter entitled, Maiden Voyage, depicts.

Tyler shouted, “We’re here—Land ho!”

Even though they had been in sight of land the entire 35 minutes, in Tyler’s mind they were in the middle of the ocean about to explore an uncharted island—with the very real chance of running across the Loch Ness monster. Tyler was the only person they knew who could explore exotic places without ever leaving his room. It must be cool to have an imagination like that.

In an earlier chapter Tyler has an experience with a bunch of trophy animals on display in Grisham’s shed. In the scene above he and the gang have set out on an adventure and he has no problem imagining that they might have experiences similar to what Grisham has had on his adventures.

Perhaps most youngsters can watch Hook the movie and see themselves in the script. For Tyler it’s a bit different. Having watched the movie so many times, when situations in the lives of The Island Gang take on any similarity to a scene from the movie, he instantly sees them in the scene from the movie, as opposed to seeing them in their actual surroundings (check out the scene in chapter entitled, Sedgwick, in Legend of Crystal Cove. Lines from Hook come to his mind and he adds some humor to an otherwise tense situation.

Larry believes that this level of imagination is healthy, even necessary for causing significant changes to one’s life. If you can’t see yourself as a college graduate, the chances of achieving it aren’t likely; if you can’t see yourself rising from poverty, the chances of accomplishing that aren’t likely; if you can’t see yourself as an accomplished pianist, the chances of every being one aren’t likely, etc.

Lesson being, to change your reality, first, cultivate a healthy imagination. If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.