Mental Mind Games

Let's be honest, fantasies captivate us more than our realities do. They tend to motivate, strengthen, renew, and breath new life into our days. Why is it that we keep them locked away? We find it easier to ignore their guiding force, than to incorporate their allures. Wouldn't life be a hoot, if we could figure a way, to integrate fantasies into our daily rigmaroles? I am here to show you; it can be done. We are going to explore the avenues available for achieving balance. Sanity slips through our grips easily--we waste precious time trying to recapture it. With the following examples, sanity will always be; within our reach.

Know Your Fantasies.

Take some time, out of your busy day, to explore yourself. It doesn't take long to find yourself. Hourly, we fantasize about the "what ifs" and the "I wishes." All we need to do is write them down, or remember them vividly. What was it? A project, situation, feeling, hard climb, or maybe a look from a handsome steed started the wheels turning. Got it? Good, now focus on the emotional state of euphoria. Were you honored, excited, captivated, or did it transform your entire outlook? Which-ever it was, it sure felt enlightening; I bet. Think of your dreams, goals, and deepest desires. Are they pure fantasies or skewed realities? Not sure how to categorize them? Follow me. Here are my personal examples:

Searching for the Lochness Monster....fantasy.
Finding Big Foot while hiking in the Porcupine Mountains...fantasy.
Being a famous writer...skewed reality.
Finding true love after loosing my only love...skewed reality.
Receiving recognition for being the best mom ever...fantasy.
Living my life to its greatest potential...skewed reality.

Know Your Realities.

We examine these constantly. We are all aware of our limitations, lifestyles, and day to day routines. I am surprised to find, with all the time spent thinking or worrying over them, we are sometimes blinded by them. Outsiders see the details we are blanketed with--better then we can. Therefore, you may need to have assistance. Reality is the truthful way we live. It guides our decisions and limits our choices. Reality keeps us grounded and safe. Having weight tied to our ankles 24/7 is not very motivating, is it? The constant level ground we travel makes a deep rut. The rut keeps us on the same paths and we somehow find comfort there. It is familiar. It is easier to cross a paved road than to hike up a mountain. To reach our destinies, however, we need to pack lightly and begin hiking; before we loose too much daylight. Here are a few of my many realities, feel free to work off my list; if needed.

Currently unemployed.
Raising two beautiful angels.
High school graduate.
Taking care of two black labs, a chinchilla, and myself.
Paying bills while hording as much money as possible..for survival.
Learning how to live within our means and on our own.
Trying to please everyone and saving the world...one person at a time.
Coping with too many emotions at once.
Struggling to find silver-linings to keep my faith and hope in check.

Know Your Sanity Levels.

We all have different breaking points. Learn what negative triggers pull you down, and how to offset them with positive motivators. Rule of thumb; five positives for each negative. If someone is annoying you, find five people that can send you jokes or listen to your venting. Do whatever keeps you on a straight mental path. Focus on you. I know it is hard and cliche to say, but only you can help you. No one else has enough power to change your outlooks and feelings...they are yours. Those feelings and insights are not wrong or right, they are either harder to deal with or easier to handle. We need to learn... to grow. Change is a motivating stranger we need to embrace and welcome.

Making Life an Enjoyable Playground of Fantasized Realities.

Are you ready to start playing? Would you like to worry less and learn how to enjoy what you have? Great! Again, I will mix-up personal items and agendas to help. Your imagination is the only tool you shall need. The possibilities are endless. Hold on, keep both hands in the ride at all times, and buckle up for an exciting journey of living...not merely existing.

1. The Lochness Monster is my job search. I shall scour the lake of classifieds with my equipment (resume, letters of recommendation, and references). I even have a printed map of the lake...to chart my whereabouts. My girls love to prepare me for diving (interviews).

2. I plan outings to find the Big Foot tracks. We go camping, swimming, and walking to discover new items(leaves, rocks, animal tracks) that may lead us to a sighting (new destination). We take our dogs for protection and exercise (in case we have to chase him down).

3. Further our education. We play school. We use field trips to pick up our supplies (from the library). We play cash cab while driving to our destinations...this quizzing keeps us learning. At meals we express the great things our days bought (silver-linings).

4. I have very supportive friends and family. We assigned blame days to seven of us. When it is your day, people contact you to: vent, cry, complain, or explain how or what went wrong. You apologize for their bad day and take blame in a humorous manner. After your day is up, the rest of the week you are exempt from any blame. This keeps us informed, gives us comic relief, and takes away our daily oops'. Example: Monday is my blame day. Shawn text me to let me know his knee hurts. I text him back "sorry, I kicked you too hard. Next time I will try to be more gentle." I was returning the favor. On Sunday, Shawn's day, I let him know my golf game was hurting. He quickly responded with apologies and told me he would try harder. If it is possible for you to set up a game of blame, I highly suggest it.

5. I started writing articles for the world to read via Associated Content. I feel like a famous writer when my page views continue to build. I use the writing to send my worries outward and to save the world. Someday, I will publish a book, till then, I am already famous to those who know me.

6. True love comes to those who give it freely. I practice daily. Keeping my loved ones close, is the key. I do not have acquaintances; only true friends that help motivate. One day, I shall become my own motivational speaker, but for now, I am grateful for the free assistance.

There-you-have-it. Life is filled with diamonds. One just has to polish the rocks to see them. Keep the positive vibes flowing and learn how to play...all over again.