Make believe

Kids scream, “Monster in the hallway!”, and hide behind the couch. They stack up cushions for protection, and plan their defense. They know there’s not really a monster in the hallway, but it’s exciting to feel the adrenaline of panic, to make a shelter and feel safe. One kid yells, “The floor is hot lava!” Leaping between furniture is a fun challenge. One slips and wails, “Help! I’m falling! Save me! Save me!” Now one kid can feel protected, while the other gets to be the rescuing hero. Mom calls, “Pancakes are ready!”, and all stories stop when the kids run into the kitchen. Kids believe anything fun for a while. It’s called “make believe” because they’re making up beliefs. The game has a purpose. Each belief gives them a new situation, and lets them adopt a new role like protector or inventor. Grown-ups have their own version of make believe: “Everything happens for a reason.” “Those people are evil.” “I would be creatively prolific if I could quit my job.” None of these statements are true. But we like the way it feels to believe. Beliefs have a purpose. They help us adopt a perspective or identity. They help us take action, or cooperate with others. The only problem is when we confuse belief with reality, and insist that something is absolutely true because we believe it. Beliefs don’t exist outside the mind. (Have you ever seen one in nature?) All beliefs are make believe.