Greener Grass

It is without a doubt that at the core of every human is a spark of escapism. We  all have fantasies of wild new places, interaction or situation that wisp us off  into a new life that is in all ways greater than the life we know. There is  equally little doubt that this escapism is also one of the main fuels to the  creativity, passion and joy that we are able to express and feel within our  individual lives. At its best, it can be one of the greatest components of an  individual, but at its worst, it can be debilitating.
 
The human mind is a wonderful place. The truly gifted people are able to create the most wonderful  daydreams and emotions that, in everyday life, scarcely (if at all) can exist.  In many cases, if they did, it is obvious that we would likely become junkies  for such stimulants and be unable to function effectively. Yet, the fact that we  are able to create a fleeting illusion of such amazement speaks for itself for  the ingenuity of our psychology.
 
It is great to allow the mind to roam through fantasies; indeed this escapism is often the result of  personal woes and scars and such thoughts obviously allow one to better cope  with the normal lulls of life. It only becomes a problem when one is unable to  distinguish between the real and unreal.
 
It is the classic situation of the grass being greener on the other side. Take into example a very  common fantasy; that getting up and leaving the humdrum life for weird and  exotic places. Sure there are a few true-life examples where this led to  near-perfection results and many more fictitious stories all the more wonderful.  However, the true-life examples are in the few and are the atypical – result  often either through sheer luck or ingenuity (well thought out plans and/or  lateral thinking) – and as for the fictitious stories, well, they are of the  unreal realms and of no great concern. In truth, in many cases the result is  that the problems one is trying to escape from either follow along or are  replaced by others. There is no Eden. There is no perfect place. The grass is  not greener through the realization of escapism fantasies. It is nothing more  than the desert mirage of an oasis.
 
As mentioned above, I am not for a moment suggesting that imagination is, at all, bad – nor am I trying  to convince the reader to accept a dull life. Imagination is one of humanity’s  finest gifts and is the source of finding real greener landscapes. However, the  first step must surely be an acceptance of what is plainly obvious of the  reality before us all. Millions of dollars falling into an individual’s lap  won’t alone make that person happier in any long-term meaningful way. Ending a  relationship that has a strong foundation, although in recent times has lack a  spark, for some new and appealing crush will not ensure a life more rewarding  (indeed once the initial heat of attraction wears away, it doesn’t matter how  attractive the person is or what they have – what makes for a lasting  relationship comes from foundations far more down to Earth... but that I’ll  leave for another write).
 
You cannot build a house on ideas alone, just as you cannot build a life on nothing but fantasies. It  takes logic, endurance and confidence. Your imagination allows you to build your  life not simply as from the generic design, but through your own creativity –  uniquely and specially you. That is the key. Fantasies are simply that – and are  enriching to an individual’s life. They allow the most wonderful forms of  imagination. However, just like greener grass, or a house, or a wonderful life,  the seeds of the mind can only become something real through effort and  endurance. Dare to live a life as you see it. Have the will to endure those who  may wish to push you back into line. Be honest to yourself and allow truth to be  the mortar to whatever you create (it’s a lot strong then). Look at the world  around you and chose what you want in your life, where you wish to spend energy  to build upon things you enjoy and develop yourself and meaningful  relationships. Live in reality and work through your creativity.
 
30/10/2009