Imaginary Worlds

Normally, when you say to someone they are “living in a world of illusion”, or in an imaginary world, what you are saying is that they are avoiding facing hard, unpleasant realities.  Since most people, not unreasonably, tend to avoid pain, this is usually accurate.

What I would submit, though, is that this phrase is equally apt when people unjustifiably limit themselves, cognitively, emotionally, or behaviorally; when they are capable of much more, but don’t believe it.

To this extent, I would suggest that we ALL live in imaginary worlds, because all of us fall far short of our potential, of what we could do if we believed it and chose it.  We all want to be happier.  How many of us act on it consistently, and with our full focus and energy?

In virtually all cases, the answer we must give to the question “is this the best you can do?” is a decided NO.  We lie to ourselves if we day otherwise.

Now, relaxation and repose are essential elements of productivity.  Most of my best ideas come to me when I am being outwardly lazy.  But I guess the point I want to make here is that we MUST, in the interest of being as intelligent as we can be, include in all calculations and self assessments the possibility that we are deceiving ourselves.