Unfolding Reality

The end of yesterday's blog talked about reality.  I said I might talk about the reality I've created for myself.  I decided to go ahead and do just that, but of course I had to get out my trusty dictionary.  I hope you don't mind.  I know, I know, everybody knows what reality is.  I can't help it.  I like my dictionary.  I just thought I'd dig a little deeper.

Merriam-Webster (furthermore referred to as MW) says reality is the quality or state of being real.  Now it's crystal clear, right?  Don't you just hate circular definitions?  Well, let's see what real means: not artificial or illusory, genuine; of or relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities.  MW also says reality is the totality of real things and events.  I like these two definitions.  They say a lot about what reality is.

When I listen to the news or read the newspaper I am not getting the total picture.  The news is more often than not depressing.  We are only hearing one tiny piece of the story.  I believe the media has created the "reality" we live in.  We fret over things the government is doing.  We worry about things going on in the world that we hear about on TV.  Why do we worry?  Why do we focus on one tiny slice, one tiny bad slice?  Look at the total picture.  The totality of real things and events is so much bigger than the tiny slice.  There are so many wonderful things going on in the world.  There are people to be honored who don't get honored.  There are funny stories that never get told.  There are practical or everyday concerns or activities that we must live out daily in our lives.  These things don't make good stories for the media.  They only tell us about the things that make good headlines.

How about "reality" shows?  Come on, really?  We're supposed to believe they are realistic?  Yes, every day I have a camera in my face recording my every word and following my every step.  Real means not artificial.  It means genuine.  Are you real?  Are you genuine?  I know some people who try to be, only to get "slapped in the face."  You must be real.  If you are not genuine, you are not living in reality.  You are creating an illusion for yourself and those around you.  Don't let one person's bad day or mean words cause you to change your reality.

Let me challenge you to be genuine, no matter what.  I can't help but think how our genuineness might help someone who is struggling with some issue.  If they know we are honest and trustworthy, maybe we can help them to see that there is a bigger picture beyond what they are dealing with, the proverbial silver lining or light at the end of the tunnel.  Hopefully we can help them emotionally and spiritually.

There is more good than bad in this world.  I firmly believe that.  We need to not get bogged down by the bad things we hear or see; they are not the TOTAL story.  And don't forget: Be real!!