How to Distinguish a Dream from a Fantasy, and Why It's Important

How to Distinguish a Dream from a Fantasy, and Why It's Important

“As creators, your reality depends upon what you are willing to imagine and allow.” ~ Abraham Hicks

“At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable.” ~ Christopher Reeve

Recently, on the Create Your Life! fan page, I posed the question: How is a dream different from a fantasy? A lively discussion followed, and inspired this in depth newsletter. I recommend reading it all the way through, and then sitting down with it for a re-read while holding a specific intention in mind. I am excited to share what I believe to be very important information for the outcome of your dreams, and I invite you to take full advantage of what's offered here.

Dreamers
The Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, the first folks to set out towards space travel, or to prove that the Earth is round, are just a few examples of people who were surely thought by some to be "living in a fantasy world" only later to be revered as some of the world's greatest innovators. While we can't all be world-renowned inventors, we can (and do!) invent and create in every moment. Even as you're reading this you're likely inventing something about where this is going...

Does Your Dream Freak You In?
As a Dream Realization Coach, I am fully aware that when asked "What's your dream?" most people completely "freak in" (distinct from freaking out). Dreams are often thought to be very private, sometimes even under lock and key. Many people would sooner share their worst fear before they share what they dream of! Yet, at some point, everyone who shares a dream must come to terms with concerns that their dream is too big, too small, or too silly to share with others. With dreams, showing up at the starting line can feel like the riskiest part, and for this reason alone, many don't even begin!

An internal voice may say: "Be realistic." "That's impossible." "You'll never succeed." "Be reasonable." "Don't set your sights too high." "Don't rock the boat." "Things are good enough." And the list goes on...

But Tara, I have proof!
I'll bet you can muster up some pretty convincing evidence to support these self-sabotaging ideas. History, probability, and social norms dictate much of what is commonly agreed upon as out-of-reach or a fantasy.

While it might not be difficult for you to come up with convincing accounts as evidence of what you can't do, you might even go so far as to cite some highly esteemed research "proving" what can and can't be done. Yet, here's the catch --- even the most highly regarded researchers are limited to studying what HAS been done! With this in mind it's highly unlikely that such "evidence" is definitive in terms of what's possible for you, your life, and the world. Yet, it's not possible until it's declared so...by you!

Thomas Edison, during his trial and error process of inventing a light bulb, said: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." I'd bet that some on the circa 1870 gossip circuit had Edison pegged as a bit of a wacko who lived in a fantasy world. Meanwhile, he kept at it, and the outcome disproved all prior theories that it couldn't be done!

Now, look around...how many light bulbs are in your house? More importantly, how many "light bulbs" are in your heart? It is my hope that as you read this, the message will shed new light on your dreams and maybe even flip the switch for a "light bulb moment" that's life altering!

What they have in common...
It's so important to note that both dreams and fantasies begin with imagination - not fancy degrees or truckloads of money, but imagination! Both dreams and fantasies are born from the realm of the imagined, and imagination is a tool that we are using all the time.

Have you filed your Dreams under Fantasy?
I define 'fantasy' as something that hasn't been done and is believed by the perceiver to be unrealistic or impossible. There's certainly nothing wrong with fantasy. What sets a dream apart from a fantasy is the believability and the level of desirability around the imagined idea manifesting into being.

Too often, dreams are mistaken for fantasies! You may have a very achievable dream, yet feel resigned and "make up" reasons why something won't work or can't happen, rather than apply that energy toward its creation.

In any given moment, we are either using imagination to create what we want or create what we don't want. Do you spend your precious energy imagining all the reasons it won't work or you can't have it, or do you direct your energy toward what you want?

The Power of Declaration
In the moment of declaring a dream as possible, it thereby ceases to be a fantasy. Dreams are born through declaration. Why? Because I said so! ☺

For those who have bravely declared their dream already, repetition creates a manifestation snowball effect! In dream sharing, the space for our dreams expands and supports a culture of dreaming. Sharing your dreams and celebrating the dreams of others is what the 4th annual Dream Party is all about!

It eases barriers that prevent you from fulfilling your dreams, and does so with fun and celebration! Who says it has to be hard?!? No matter how big, silly or small you may think your dreams are, The Dream Party helps you to see just how possible they really are. All you have to do is show up.

"The Work"
In my work as a coach, I've had the repeated pleasure of witnessing the beautiful transformation of what at first may seem impossible become a living dream. As this process unfolds, a sense of lightness and excitement pervades the dreamer, often propelling the dream into being with astounding ease. I believe most of "the work" is the process of overcoming the obstacles of fear and self-sabotage so that one can find themselves bravely standing in the moment of declaration. Do this in the course of an evening at The Dream Party!

What fear won't tell you...
Yes, dreaming takes a whole lot more courage than fantasy. But, what fear won't tell you is the cost of NOT going for it. Take some time to assess the cost of not setting out to live your dream and you'll likely see that the cost is high (too include always wondering what could have been). My wish for you is that your dreams will inspire you more than they intimidate! That no matter how big, small, or silly you think your dream is, that you will allow it to be the medium through which your light shines in the world!

Reserve your tickets now for the 4th annual Dream Party happening October 2!