Between Dreams and Reality

By Tuula Pere

June 13^th, 2021

Between Dreams and Reality

I love the moments at the borderline of reality and dreams. They are characteristic of a child but also possible for adults.

There is a risk that the realities of our lives are so firmly present that not even our dreams can rise above everyday life. So, to take care of these basic instincts of thinking originally and dreaming free, we need to keep the channels open for the world of childlike possibilities and wonders.

Where to find that essential stimulus for the thoughts to fly and reach dreams?

In childhood, the perception of time was different than it's now as an adult. The reality then was wonderfully shapeless, too. Life was full of surprises and things to see for the first time.

Anything could happen. Everything was fresh. In that kind of freedom, miracles take place.

I have been a nature-loving person all my life. The landscape around our childhood home was my wilderness. I had a feeling of owning the whole world, although I didn't possess a single square meter then. There, I could have my freedom of wandering, wondering, challenging myself – and imagining past, present, and future. Throughout my childhood years, woods, fields, and lakes were safe places for creating the balance of countless ideas, endless inspiring possibilities, and reality.

For me, it's still essential to keep connected to nature. As I go out without any particular plan, schedule or destination, I'm back to the wonderland that helps me either cool down or be inspired. It is primarily a very private experience and needs no company. At these timeless moments in nature, I can interact with the trees, waters, and winds. Nothing else is so soothing.

Dreaming takes time and needs space…

A peaceful perception of time is vital for a personal balance. Time is neither our enemy nor friend. Time just flows and doesn't even notice our modest efforts. We cannot rotate the earth or other celestial bodies on their orbits. It's enough to exist with the others who share some moments with us.

… but it can take place anywhere and anytime.

Keeping calm in any environment is a challenge and concentrating on one's thoughts in the middle of a noisy crowd is hard. Of course, it's much easier in a wilderness, inside a church, or in a peaceful concert. But the unique moments of clarity, between dreams and reality, can hit us unexpectedly anywhere, regardless of being asleep or awake. There is no need to hike far, meditate endlessly, or follow given instructions.

Initially, I intended to write a few lines inspired by the calm photo I took one peaceful May evening. Then I got carried away, as dreaming is such a fascinating topic!