I was sitting on my porch earlier this week, and I had this thought: this is the dream. I am smack dab in the middle of living the life I've always dreamed of.
We have a ramshackle but lovely home in the country, with a large garden and heritage live oak trees, and while there are no chickens as of yet, there is the possibility of chickens. (And a halfway built chicken cottage.) I am married to the best friend I have ever had, the love of my life, a man whom I admire and respect, who supports me and makes me laugh. We have a wonderful little boy, and enough resources for me to stay home with him. I have work that I love--teaching yoga and writing--feel inspired and energized by, and want to do more of. I have habits and hobbies that keep me healthy and happy. The dream--living it.
But when the dream is conceived, one never pictures what it can sometimes feel like: the hot, sticky anger, the boredom, the despair of wakeful nights and endless afternoons, the petty and piercing disappointments, the doubt and the confusion. (I love this speech on reality vs. fantasy from one of my favorite movies.) How we perceive our lives is truly a matter of perspective. Looking at our lives is like holding a hologram: in this light, it's perfect, it's the dream come true. In this light, it's an awful, bitter nightmare. And all it takes to change our view from one image to the next is the slightest angle, the faintest flick of the wrist. It takes no longer than an instant, and it is a choice we can make everyday--sometimes several times a day, as needed. The point is, living the dream can be as easy as picturing yourself in that dream, and boom: the dream is your reality.
What about you? In what ways are you living your dream? How are you choosing to view your reality in less-than-dreamy moments? Do share in the comments below, or link to your response on your own website.
oh fanny, i LOVE this post. LOVE. this is the same thing that has been running on a continuous loop through my head and heart lately.
ReplyDeletethis is a lovely post~ I love the hologram image, it really is so true. It's all in how we choose to perceive the moment, and in our ability (and desire) to take it all in stride and not take ourselves too seriously.
ReplyDeleteI looked back over a few of your posts and saw photos of books you'd been reading~ the Karen Maezen Miller books stuck out because I've read them, along with Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali, and I found so many sweet little gems in them reminding me of much the same; this is our life, not that or over there or tomorrow, etc. But THIS. And then we choose.
thanks for sharing (found you through habit of being)
I love this post. It's so true - every word. I teach students with varying disabilities, and that really helps me to put my Mama struggles into perspective when my two healthy boys are being their rambunctious selves. It is all about perspective. (I came to your blog via The Habit of Being. I'm happy I did!)
ReplyDeleteI think some days I flick between those two hologram outlooks several times in the space of a few hours. But ultimately it's always a choice, yes? I also think sometimes we have to wallow in that bitterness for a while before coming out fully in bloom and on top. I try at least to find something funny in the murkiness while I'm there. Lovely post, and thanks to Amanda for pointing me your way.
ReplyDeleteI came over from Amanda's blog.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thank you for writing and sharing this. It's given me something to ponder...
Ronnie xo
Love.
ReplyDeleteI just stopped over from amanda's blog. Thank you for writing from your heart. This is just what I am trying to live. The CHOICE. The real life, even when it isn't perfect. I love this...
ReplyDeleteSo true. It's all perspective. Thanks for the reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteAh, this is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
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