Reality?
Wes watched a spoof of a reality show last night; I think it was called Cruel World, but I'm not sure. Some reality show loser set up a fake reality show and started killing off contestants or having them kill each other. The best part was when people started arguing about whether people were really dead or if it was part of the show's reality illusion. And there's the rub.
How much of anything is real, and how much is fantasy? How much can fantasy control reality? In other words, if I believe that my colleagues are smart people who want to do their best job, how much do I create that reality through my interactions with them? If I believe that I have a great marriage and that my husband is the best ever (and he is), how much does my belief cloud my perceptions of his actions and how much does he live up to my portrayal of him? If I believe that I am a good teacher who cares about my students and wants them to succeed and believes that they can succeed, to what extent do my students live up to my expectations?
I believe the line between fantasy and reality is a thin one sometimes, and I like to use that to make my world a little better. No, I'm not saying anyone should ignore really bad behavior from a colleague or an administrator or a spouse, but if we expect bad behavior and language, we'll probably get it.
Maybe I'm talking in circles, but I do believe that if I smile at people, they're more likely to smile back. If I greet people pleasantly, they're more likely to greet me in the same way. I guess I'm a bit of a Pollyanna or maybe Mary Poppins. Confrontation may feel good, but it rarely changes people's minds.
Okay, I've exhausted this topic for me, so it's back to the notebook for more personal ramblings.
How much of anything is real, and how much is fantasy? How much can fantasy control reality? In other words, if I believe that my colleagues are smart people who want to do their best job, how much do I create that reality through my interactions with them? If I believe that I have a great marriage and that my husband is the best ever (and he is), how much does my belief cloud my perceptions of his actions and how much does he live up to my portrayal of him? If I believe that I am a good teacher who cares about my students and wants them to succeed and believes that they can succeed, to what extent do my students live up to my expectations?
I believe the line between fantasy and reality is a thin one sometimes, and I like to use that to make my world a little better. No, I'm not saying anyone should ignore really bad behavior from a colleague or an administrator or a spouse, but if we expect bad behavior and language, we'll probably get it.
Maybe I'm talking in circles, but I do believe that if I smile at people, they're more likely to smile back. If I greet people pleasantly, they're more likely to greet me in the same way. I guess I'm a bit of a Pollyanna or maybe Mary Poppins. Confrontation may feel good, but it rarely changes people's minds.
Okay, I've exhausted this topic for me, so it's back to the notebook for more personal ramblings.
posted by Donna Sewell at
8:34 AM
2 Comments:
Okay, leave the Mary Poppins to me :-) I know what you mean though. How much do we create our own reality as opposed to what is actually there? I wonder that myself.
By
Mary Poppins, at 9:11 AM
I think that we do create our own realities. But I don't think that's a bad thing. For every action, there is a reaction. If believing that people are good is going to make me happy then I think it's okay. And hopefully, my positive attitude will generate a positive attitude from them in return (even if they aren't really so good). Some of the most successful people I know are those who see the good things in life, even when noone else can see them. This post really makes me want to go meditate! :)
By
Ms. Gregory, at 8:02 PM
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