My farm fantasy post generated fascinating comments here and more over at Facebook.
Deanne pointed out,
Living the farm life is damn hard work, too. It just sounds simpler than whatever we are doing at the present moment.
Exactly, Deanne! It just sounds simpler. That’s why we go there!
Our fantasies provide important escape valves for our minds. What we want to be on the look out for is believing our fantasies will provide a easy, magic way to bypass the challenges of life.
Otherwise known as not a good idea.
But that doesn’t mean you want to throw your fantasies out.
Your fantasies are full of juicy clues about your unmet needs.
Let me give you three examples:
The Cheese Shop Fantasy = Otherwise known as selling a tangible product that is not wrestled from your own heart and soul
Possible Unmet Needs:
Down time from creating intensely
Privacy, protecting a part of my heart from sharing through my work
Accurately honoring and measuring the impact I have already had
Real live community
The Perfect Calendar Fantasy = clients on certain days, an email catch up day, August and December off, exercise schedule
Possible Unmet Needs:
Getting ideas and projects out of my mind and held someplace
More support at home and work
A simple plan for a month I can actually live with
Decluttering
The Find My Perfect Calling Fantasy = in which I name and then do work that I love perfectly at all times and never question or get sick of
Possible Unmet Needs:
Feedback that my work and presence in the world matters
Creative play time where nothing need be produced or sold
Connecting with something larger than myself
A peer group to bitch with
What fantasy do you keep entertaining – especially when you are tired and frayed around the edges?
It could be calling you to see and tend a deep need. That need can be addressed within your current life.
Indeed, it must be addressed, but perhaps not by moving to the farm or opening the cheese store but by taking care of yourself within this life, right now.
But what if my fantasies are pointing me toward something I really want?
Then take action on them. Then they become reality, which as Deanne said, is no simpler but may well give you a way to even more fully express your self.
I’d love to hear your fantasies and what unmet needs they might hold.
I’m off to Kripalu. I look forward to hugging and dancing and journaling and learning with some of you! Still time to join us!
