Dreams or reality or both?
The other day someone in a movie I saw said “Dreams are great, but they don’t always match reality…” Hmmmm, the dreamer and artist in me jumped up and thought; if we think like that, how are we EVER going to get anywhere? Then I thought maybe it’s about finding a reality that works for me, and making sure not everything is beyond reach? You see, sometimes I can kick myself in my ass (not literally of course) for being so demanding. Yeah so I don’t like everything about the appartement we live in now, not by a long shot. No garden, just a balcony, not enough open space living. And so on.
Then again, if I instead find the things I like about it maybe my dream of a new house with a garden won’t be so far away, or at least the wait will be more pleasurable? I’ve focused so much about the things I don’t like that every time I see those things I get annoyed, so you do the math…when I work at home…. That’s walking by the things I don’t like many times….Yeah, you get my point!
Let me show you an example; yesterday I had no pain anywhere just for a brief moment. For years I’ve had whatever the doctors call it; ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, been burned out or anything you can think of that they can’t give me a pill for…. I’ve worked my way up and found ways of coping and healing. This is why I work at home. So, I woke up and had no pain in my shoulders or seemingly anywhere. Then I thought; What’s the opposite of pain? Because saying to myself I’m pain-free is not exactly a positive phrase. You see, the body gets used to pain, and we get used to our patterns. Even if we don’t realize it.
So I said to myself; Today I’m full of JOY, where there was pain there is now JOY. It helped, it released even more tension and relaxed my mind as well. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve had that thought, but it was so clear to me that I have to change the patterns in my body NOW and FOREVER since I am getting better, and the pain doesn’t have a hold on me in the same way anymore. Then I thought, I’m going to love my home, I’m going to love it so much it will one day become a house with a garden. I’m going to focus on healing and making my reality closer to my dreams, so they won’t always be beyond reach.
What do you think, are reality and dreams compatible?
Chronic fatigue syndrome is elusive. I am so sorry you are plagued by it. I see though that you are a dreamer and you are moving in he right direction. Love the painting.
Sue Bock
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
Thank you so much Sue, that means a lot to me. Yeah, it’s hard at times, I’m not gonna pretend it’s not, but I’m getting to a more balanced place and I’m able to creative thankfully;-)
Hi Anne, thanks for following my blog, I am a big believer in dreams but I also strongly believe in luck as in my experience there has always been an element of luck with each dream which comes true. But I have also been told there is no such thing as luck and you make your own luck so anyway I’m definitely going to keep dreaming because so far they have all come true. So sorry to read you feel pain though, I am so very priveledged as I don’t have any pain, have never broken a bone, never badly injured myself in any way, I can’t imagine how you feel, but I am so glad to find that you dream, make nice things and took a one way ticket to beautiful Portugal so I guess you do make your own dreams come true already.
Hey Mellie, I’m so glad to hear your dreams come true, and I love that you believe in luck, so do I! How do people know that there’s no such thing as luck? We all see things differently, and I’m happy you never had any pain, that’s wonderful. Maybe our paths have a meaning, and I’m suppose to help others with pain and learn something from it? Maybe you have another amazing meaning in life, which I’m sure you do!
Thank you for caring, I appreciate that, I’m getting better and I’m lucky to have a supporting man so I can spend the time I need to get better and still be creative.
Lots of happiness for you! Stop by any time;-)
Hi Anne,
I think ‘dream’ is a word that is often misunderstood. Dreaming is fun, and I enjoy the practice, but I try not to confuse dreams with goals. A dream might happen to come true, but a goal is more likely to, because it’s a promise we make to ourselves and determine to reach, even if we must do so one small step at a time.
Finally someone who pointed that out, yes and yes… Whatever we call it, Iove the word dreams, but I agree with you. Sometimes I like to challenge people when I we’re having a conversation, and I often get the feeling that a lot of people don’t even consider dreams to come true, that’s why I find this subject so facinating, we all have out interpetation. I guess the important thing is to be happy most of the time even when things are not perfect, because if happiness is in the future, how are we ever going to get there… Lots of hugs for you Naomi!
I think it’s a balance. I have dreams, but I am learning to let go of them so that I can get out of my way, live in the present and be open to them when they show up. My friend recently inspired me deeply, she said, “I just wanted a partner… I kept asking for a partner and when he showed up I was like… oh that’s what he looks like. wow.” To me this was a perfect example of letting go of the outcome… holding onto the dream but being open when it shows up…. however it may arrive.
So, I have dreams but I’ve stopped looking at my outcome or destination and I’m showing up in wonder everyday as I watch them manifest before my very eyes. 
That’s amazing Currie, and you’re so right, I guess we gotta be happy in the mean time however and whenever everything comes true;-)
Dreality.
ha ha, that’s it!
I think it would be ok for me to just like every single post you make!?:)- I think the main problem is that often we define reality by the limitations we have or what we think we have and not by the available opportunities. As they say “when a door closes a window opens” and in my experience that is true we just need to keep our eyes open and expect that open window. This is called faith and dreams can only be realized with having faith in our dreams and not being distracted by what we think reality is or isn’t. That is also true for pain management and healing in general.
That makes it all worth it Bernadette, I love that I can reach people, and I love that you take time to tell me!
That’s it, about the limitations… on the spot! I feel like some windows are about to open… I find this subject so facinating, and your view enlightens me even more, thank you!
My tag line was supposed to read (I have it on my FB page, but it was too long for my theme here) “To those who can dream there is no such place as faraway” !
Love it!!
They say if you can imagine it its doable. If you can dream it its attainable. Make your goals reachable by letting the ceiling rise with you. Baby steps grow into adult steps. “NOW WHAT?” Please join us on our new Blog/Forum on http://www.sonowwhatworld.com. You would be a true asset to our readers. Love to hear what you have to say. “NOW WHAT?”
Thank you, I’d love to! Well I can imagine a whole lot, so look out world here I come;-)
Can’t wait!! “NOW WHAT?!
Ah, now I know why I can relate to you & your wonderful posts. Having fibromyalgia for over 20 years I can’t tell you how many medical professionals I’ve wanted to take an ice pick to & jab here & there saying “you feel that? how’s that feel? you like that – let’s keep this going for another 20 years & see what you think of it then”. (I’m not one of those nice people who say “I’d never wish this disease on anyone, but….”).
But did you ever think that because of this, you do more dreaming & creative thinking when your body isn’t cooperating? I know for myself, when I’m not up to doing much my imagination kicks in & I at least create mental pictures of what I’d hope to do – the garden with these flowers, the decorating I’d do, the places I’d go.
You know what Diane, you’re right! I have been so down sometimes, but my imagination saves me. I have to learn how to live without pain, isn’t that crazy!! I don’t really know what I have or had, but I do know I’m learning to live my way, in my pace, slowly… I have less inflamation, less pain and more energy.
My favourite is when the doctor says that I look so well, I wanted to say “it’s not my face that hurts…” In the eyes of any doctor I’ve been superhealthy, exept the one russian doctor I had who said “Don’t eat so much fat”…Well, when you have a nice day!
I feel with you Diane, and wish for you and me to have more days of joy, and less pain! Love and hugs, Anne
It’s bad enough when friends and family don’t understand these conditions & your limitations, but it always surprises me when doctors come out with these little gems. You know when it’s taken all your energy just to get showered, dressed, and down to their office… don’t you think by now they could have at least read some of the magazines in their own offices (never mind taken additional medical classes) on these conditions. I always hate getting a new doctor or specialist because they all want you to go back to square 1 & repeat all the other meds, physical therapies, etc. that haven’t worked in the past. Please, is that how I want to spend my time – in more doctor’s offices? I find that you try to get to a place where the pain is mostly background noise & then live every minute of your life doing what you love. Your art is so beautiful, I wish I had your talent but it inspires me to play w/my own dibblings & that makes me happy.
I agree! I remember a friend telling me to not put on make up when I went to the doctor;-) Just try to look like shit and maybe even cry… Anyway, I do try to focus on my art, and thank you so much for your encouragement! Lots of love, Anne
I like to believe dreams and reality can coincide, though many days I fail to recognize how they can. I can understand your experiences with CFS, I myself have battled FMS for decades and understand the unfamiliar sensation of actually feeling no pain.
Yeah it’s a very umfamiliar sensation, that’s just the word, however I hope that we both get to feel that many more times in the future! Anything is possible, right!
Yes, and it’s ironic when I get accused of having a low threshold of pain when in reality, I have a very high one. When it bothers me enough to actually mention it, then it really hurts. And you’re correct — anything is possible!
oh Lisa, I’ve been accused of the same, but they can just….piss off, if they only knew…. Love and light to you
Thanks – and same to you!
Hi Anne,
For what it’s worth – I learned, the hard way like everyone else, that A. My dreams are mine and only mine though they can be shared; and B: As I create my own dreams, so can I my own reality. Not a delusional reality, but one that I choose how I will spend my time acting and reacting, what works for me, and to minimize those things I can’t change at least in the short term. That has done wonders for my daily mental health and well-being.
You’re on the right path. Good post.
Bruce
Thank you Bruce, very clear and inspiering insight! I so agree with you that our dreams are ours… Have a wonderful day!
Dreams -R-Us
think about
brilliant!!! I love it, whats next?
Actually dreams-r-us is a short story collection I am writing.
did you get the kitty cat poem?
That’s such a brilliant name! Love it! Now I saw it, nice one!
all for you!
They don’t match often…but sometimes they do tend to approach one from the other, I guess the important thing, is striving for them dreams, that’s what keep us going, and trying not to get to concern about how far or close we are from living them…for me that’s when trouble set in…:)
I think it also depends on how we define dreams, what they are, are they unreachable or are the just normal things in our everyday life…And I do know what you mean with the trouble setting in;-)
Yes it is quite true…:)