How to be realistically delulu
It might sound delusional to dream big at times like this. But that is exactly what we need. The world as we know it has taken such an extreme turn away from the direction many of us thought we were going, and it can feel overwhelming and devastating to witness what is happening in our reality. (In case it’s unclear, I’m specifically talking about fascism vs. collective consciousness. To be totally clear.)
In order to change our reality, to move the needle of where we are to where we want to go, we have to imagine and identify what we want rather than accept what already is. The world as we know it, and the experience we are having right now, is by design. By someone else’s greed-driven design. And, just because that’s what’s happening right now doesn’t mean it’s the thing that has to keep happening, or that what we want to happen isn’t possible.
Let’s discuss the difference between delusion and imagination. Delusion denies the current reality. Imagination allows us to create a different reality within the confines of what already is. It supports change and growth. And gives us the opportunity to recognize that change is not only possible, it is inevitable. We all have the ability to contribute to that change through the choices we make.
In her essay “Do Not Lose Heart, We Were Made for These Times,” Clarissa Pinkola Estes stated:
Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.
This is not some sort of toxic positivity game. We are not denying what is happening. Let’s start by acknowledging where we are and the inhumanity that is taking place, right now, in this moment.
When we witness the enormity of terror, violence, and cruelty, it makes sense that we would feel overwhelmed, defeated, and/or any other emotions that stunt us from action. Please take care of your sweet self and your emotions. Whatever you need to stay well. And then, I implore you not to give up, not on yourself and not on the world. Be steadfast in creating the light that this suffering world needs right now, because the more of us shine out our light, the brighter we can drown out that oppressive darkness.
The other day I spent a beautiful day on the beach imagining the world I wanted to live in, laughing, and taking photos with another lovely, queer, sparkly human. At times I thought, what’s the point of this when the world seems to be falling to pieces? The answer, I know, is that that is the point. Living the life you want within the realm of what is possible is how we can turn our delusions into reality. Each step forward we take, every action, every breath, every opportunity to imagine the next moment is breathing the life of the reality we are creating into the world.
Octavia Butler, in her essay “A Few Rules for Predicting the Future,” stated:
“...there’s no single answer that will solve all of our future problems. There’s no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers–at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be.”
If enough of us choose the path of imagination, we can take action to create that new world. We can start living it now. And if that’s true, the complacency of inaction is actually where the delusion itself lies.
There are realms and layers of ways in which we can create our own reality. Starting small can spread out to something bigger. Little choices that we can all make: refusing to spend money or participate in institutions that harm others, the ways in which we interact with others, and even the ways in which we take care of ourselves can have ripple effects. Acknowledge actual choices that are in your power to make, and do them just because you can without attachment to the outcome or other people’s reactions.
Most importantly, remember that this is not an individual process. Collective consciousness takes exactly that: the collective. The world’s burdens are not on you alone to shoulder. Share the weight of the heaviness with the communities who are in solidarity with you, give each other permission to mourn, grieve, rage, and whatever the fuck you need to then shine on brightly together. Drown out the darkness with your beautiful and expansive light. We need it now more than ever.
