What is a Dream?

markfoo76 · 05-07-2009, 03:21 AM

Some years ago, I was having this conversation with a friend, Michelle, about pursuing dreams. I remember telling her that everyone should have a dream and seek to do whatever it takes (legally, morally and ethically) to achieve it in order to lead a fulfilling life.

However, Michelle had a different view. She didn’t think that it was possible for her to realise her dream.

So I asked her, “What’s your dream?”

Her reply was, “I’ve always dreamt of becoming an astronaut. But I seriously do not think I’m able to achieve that now.”

I was quite surprised with her reply. I mean, how often do you come across someone whose dream is to become an astronaut? That’s pretty unusual.

Upon hearing her reply, in my mind, I was thinking, “Hmmm… That’s a tough one.”

I didn’t know what it takes to be an astronaut. I didn’t know what kind of qualifications it requires. I didn’t know what kind of training a person needs to go through and how long it takes that person from being a trainee to finally being qualified to travel to outer space.

I didn’t know how to advise her, and I didn’t know how to encourage her.

At that moment, a cloud of doubt appeared over my head. For a while, I began to question my initial notion that everyone should have a dream and that he/she should pursue it relentlessly. I questioned its feasibility.

But I kept thinking about it even after I went home. I refused to acknowledge that it’s not possible for someone in our society, a society of abundance, to fulfil his/her dream.

For days, I thought long and hard about this issue. I refused to give up.

Then one day, I realised something.

I realised that there’s been confusion between what’s a dream and what’s a fantasy.

A fantasy is a good-to-have, while a dream is a must-have.

It then dawned on me that what a lot of people actually have is a fantasy, rather than a dream.

I’ve come across a lot of people who have a list of “dreams”. But they never set out to work toward achieving them. They didn’t even bother to find out how to go about achieving them, let alone work.

Personally, I have a dream. My dream is to become a successful entrepreneur running a successful multi-million dollar business. So I know what it’s really like to have a dream. To me, it’s a must-have, not a good-to-have.

Part of this dream is to be doing something I enjoy doing, which is running a business I’m passionate about. It’s a must-have for me. One of the ways to being happy is to “Do what you love doing”.

When it’s a must-have, you’ll be able to see, smell and feel it vividly in your mind.

And when it’s a must-have, you’ll eat, sleep and **** thinking about it. That’s what I literally do!

And when it’s a must-have, you’ll go all out to find out everything you can about how to achieve your dream. I read a lot of books and attend a lot of workshops/seminars.

And when it’s a must-have, you’ll believe that it’s the only thing you’ll ever do in your life and you simply can’t imagine yourself doing anything else.

And when it’s a must-have, you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it. Do it legally, morally and ethically though.

These are the things that will come very naturally if it’s truly your dream.

That’s what a dream is.

What my friend, Michelle, had was just a fantasy. She didn’t know anything about astronomy or astronautics or anything in relation to the field. She didn’t eat, sleep and **** thinking about travelling to outer space and performing tasks on another planet.

A fantasy is something you won’t actively take any actions to achieve. Therefore, you won’t achieve. It will only remain something you fantasise about. It will only remain in your head. It won’t turn into a reality.

For example, 99 per cent of the guys fantasise about a threesome. But that doesn’t mean they’d actively seek to engage in one because ultimately, it’s not a must-have, but simply a good-to-have. It remains a fantasy.

So if you think you have a dream right now, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Can you see, smell and feel it vividly in your mind?

2. Do you eat, sleep and **** thinking about it?

3. Do you scour every resource that can help you accomplish your dream?

4. Would you do whatever it takes to achieve it?

5. Can you imagine yourself doing anything else apart from that of your dream?

If you answer no to any of the first four questions and a yes to the last question, then what you have in mind is not a dream. It’s merely a fantasy.

Keep searching until you find something, which you will answer yes to all the first four questions and a no to the last question. Only then would you have found your dream.

Cheers~

Mark

TristinTaylor · 05-08-2009, 09:49 AM

I agree. I think a dream is something people are acting on...while a fantasy is just a wish people are doing nothing in order to achieve.

pinoy bands · 05-11-2009, 01:04 AM

this is a great story and comparison between dream and fantasy. I think dreams are those things that has a high possibility to happen however, a fantasy is like "fairy tale".

Emily Meeks · 05-11-2009, 03:36 PM

Most people just have fantasies, which while they sound good and are very well achievable, people limit themselves with the idea that they're not good enough in some way.

Dreams are what are achieved in the long run. In order to obtain those dreams, you accomplish your short-term GOALS.

1 Marketing · 05-14-2009, 11:13 PM

All of us have dreams while sleeping but most of them are so common happenings arround us that we forget what have we dreamt of. But occasionally one or two dreams occupy us. Which we really call a dream.

In my views dream is a set of desires which one sees humanly impossible for him/her. But has the urge to make the dream come true. Majority of us keep it secret and stay comfortable with it. On the other hand there are very few who believe in their dreams and start brain storming, how to make it true.

josspam · 11-19-2009, 08:46 AM

Uhmmm If that was a dream for real, that one of going outter space, then she would probably been trainning for it, search for how to enter nasa or such... otherwise as you said, it's just a fantasy.

It's like most of us, who are trying to make on line by WORKING ONLINE, learning and check for ways of achieving our gold... this would be like, applying for NASA for us, everytime we enter a new online business.

Good post,

Jocy

Anoopchawla · 11-19-2009, 09:31 AM

A dream is not something which you see when you are asleep it is something that won't let you sleep.

Albus25 · 11-20-2009, 01:24 AM

I think dream is the thing that you don't have but you want.

ankit_frenz · 11-20-2009, 01:41 AM

dream is a unfulfilled wish..but can be achived..you need to work on it..as hard as you can as if its the only thing you are alive for!!

Best lines from the post

Quote:

I’ve come across a lot of people who have a list of “dreams”. But they never set out to work toward achieving them. They didn’t even bother to find out how to go about achieving them, let alone work.

Ann Writes · 11-20-2009, 03:23 AM

Many, many years ago, as a young teacher, I came across this set of propositions by the Chinese sage, Lao Tzu. I was so taken my it, I wrote it down on a piece of stiff paper which I recently 'rediscovered'. This is what it was:

Reality - Dreams = Animal Being
Reality + Dreams = Heartache (Idealism)
Reality + Humor = Realism (Conservatism)
Dreams - Humor = Fanaticism
Dreams + Humor = Fantasy
Reality + Dreams + Humor = Wisdom

I like to think that the last equation is what's most true for me

SergeyT · 11-20-2009, 04:36 AM

A very good description. it resembles my own views on the same thing.

Though I usually differentiated these notions a bit differently: "whould like to have" and "wish to have", but the meaning is the same. I'd rather use the word "desire" instead of "dream" to step aside from "dreams when sleeping".

As a matter of fact everything begins with a fantasy. Some things you fantasise about may become so appealing to you and take you so deep that they become wishes and desires, for which you will strive with all possibilities you have. Remember Jules Verne (his books were my favorite in my childhood). Many things he fantasised about have become reality some time later. Fantasies show what may be impossible in current world but what is welcomed. Based on fantasies scientists start their work in realizing brand new approaches, formulate new theories and discover new things. Based on fantasies ordinary people start to look at the world not only as a set of material objects but as energies that may be used in everyday life irrespective of time and distance.

By the way, if Michelle changed her fantasy into a dream or desire she might come to an answer as how to achieve it alternatively - there are not only nasa and spacecrafts, one may visit other planets in "out of body experience", which way may seem controversial but works anyway.

When we speak about money, financial freedom, wealth and prosperity we imply our subjective world where all this exist. And sure, the tools and rules of subjective world should be used in order to achive our desires of this level...

05-07-2009, 03:21 AM	#1
markfoo76 The Big Dreamer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 131 Thanks: 10 Thanked 31 Times in 19 Posts Social Networking	What is a Dream? Some years ago, I was having this conversation with a friend, Michelle, about pursuing dreams. I remember telling her that everyone should have a dream and seek to do whatever it takes (legally, morally and ethically) to achieve it in order to lead a fulfilling life. However, Michelle had a different view. She didn’t think that it was possible for her to realise her dream. So I asked her, “What’s your dream?” Her reply was, “I’ve always dreamt of becoming an astronaut. But I seriously do not think I’m able to achieve that now.” I was quite surprised with her reply. I mean, how often do you come across someone whose dream is to become an astronaut? That’s pretty unusual. Upon hearing her reply, in my mind, I was thinking, “Hmmm… That’s a tough one.” I didn’t know what it takes to be an astronaut. I didn’t know what kind of qualifications it requires. I didn’t know what kind of training a person needs to go through and how long it takes that person from being a trainee to finally being qualified to travel to outer space. I didn’t know how to advise her, and I didn’t know how to encourage her. At that moment, a cloud of doubt appeared over my head. For a while, I began to question my initial notion that everyone should have a dream and that he/she should pursue it relentlessly. I questioned its feasibility. But I kept thinking about it even after I went home. I refused to acknowledge that it’s not possible for someone in our society, a society of abundance, to fulfil his/her dream. For days, I thought long and hard about this issue. I refused to give up. Then one day, I realised something. I realised that there’s been confusion between what’s a dream and what’s a fantasy. A fantasy is a good-to-have, while a dream is a must-have. It then dawned on me that what a lot of people actually have is a fantasy, rather than a dream. I’ve come across a lot of people who have a list of “dreams”. But they never set out to work toward achieving them. They didn’t even bother to find out how to go about achieving them, let alone work. Personally, I have a dream. My dream is to become a successful entrepreneur running a successful multi-million dollar business. So I know what it’s really like to have a dream. To me, it’s a must-have, not a good-to-have. Part of this dream is to be doing something I enjoy doing, which is running a business I’m passionate about. It’s a must-have for me. One of the ways to being happy is to “Do what you love doing”. When it’s a must-have, you’ll be able to see, smell and feel it vividly in your mind. And when it’s a must-have, you’ll eat, sleep and ** thinking about it. That’s what I literally do! And when it’s a must-have, you’ll go all out to find out everything you can about how to achieve your dream. I read a lot of books and attend a lot of workshops/seminars. And when it’s a must-have, you’ll believe that it’s the only thing you’ll ever do in your life and you simply can’t imagine yourself doing anything else. And when it’s a must-have, you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it. Do it legally, morally and ethically though. These are the things that will come very naturally if it’s truly your dream. That’s what a dream is. What my friend, Michelle, had was just a fantasy. She didn’t know anything about astronomy or astronautics or anything in relation to the field. She didn’t eat, sleep and thinking about travelling to outer space and performing tasks on another planet. A fantasy is something you won’t actively take any actions to achieve. Therefore, you won’t achieve. It will only remain something you fantasise about. It will only remain in your head. It won’t turn into a reality. For example, 99 per cent of the guys fantasise about a threesome. But that doesn’t mean they’d actively seek to engage in one because ultimately, it’s not a must-have, but simply a good-to-have. It remains a fantasy. So if you think you have a dream right now, ask yourself the following questions: 1. Can you see, smell and feel it vividly in your mind? 2. Do you eat, sleep and ** thinking about it? 3. Do you scour every resource that can help you accomplish your dream? 4. Would you do whatever it takes to achieve it? 5. Can you imagine yourself doing anything else apart from that of your dream? If you answer no to any of the first four questions and a yes to the last question, then what you have in mind is not a dream. It’s merely a fantasy. Keep searching until you find something, which you will answer yes to all the first four questions and a no to the last question. Only then would you have found your dream. Cheers~ Mark
	Ever Wondered What It Takes to be Highly Successful? You Can Find the Answers in The 77 Traits of Highly Successful People. Grab Your FREE Copy of the eBook Now at http://www.77SuccessTraits.com

05-08-2009, 09:49 AM	#2
TristinTaylor a warrior with a cause Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 33 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How to Differentiate If You're Having a Dream or a Fantasy I agree. I think a dream is something people are acting on...while a fantasy is just a wish people are doing nothing in order to achieve.

05-11-2009, 01:04 AM	#3
pinoy bands Active Warrior Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How to Differentiate If You're Having a Dream or a Fantasy this is a great story and comparison between dream and fantasy. I think dreams are those things that has a high possibility to happen however, a fantasy is like "fairy tale".
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05-11-2009, 03:36 PM	#4
Emily Meeks Innovative Revelation War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,020 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 714 Thanked 269 Times in 180 Posts Contact Info	Re: How to Differentiate If You're Having a Dream or a Fantasy Most people just have fantasies, which while they sound good and are very well achievable, people limit themselves with the idea that they're not good enough in some way. Dreams are what are achieved in the long run. In order to obtain those dreams, you accomplish your short-term GOALS.
	In all that you do, know your True INTENT...

05-14-2009, 11:13 PM	#5
1 Marketing HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193 Thanks: 3 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	Re: What is a Dream? All of us have dreams while sleeping but most of them are so common happenings arround us that we forget what have we dreamt of. But occasionally one or two dreams occupy us. Which we really call a dream. In my views dream is a set of desires which one sees humanly impossible for him/her. But has the urge to make the dream come true. Majority of us keep it secret and stay comfortable with it. On the other hand there are very few who believe in their dreams and start brain storming, how to make it true.

11-19-2009, 08:46 AM	#6
josspam On the Run War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Peru Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: What is a Dream? Uhmmm If that was a dream for real, that one of going outter space, then she would probably been trainning for it, search for how to enter nasa or such... otherwise as you said, it's just a fantasy. It's like most of us, who are trying to make on line by WORKING ONLINE, learning and check for ways of achieving our gold... this would be like, applying for NASA for us, everytime we enter a new online business. Good post, Jocy

11-19-2009, 09:31 AM	#7
Anoopchawla Mind Freak Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 468 Thanks: 45 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: What is a Dream? A dream is not something which you see when you are asleep it is something that won't let you sleep.

11-20-2009, 01:24 AM	#8
Albus25 Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: What is a Dream? I think dream is the thing that you don't have but you want.
	www.tooay.com

11-20-2009, 03:23 AM	#10
Ann Writes Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 31 Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Social Networking	Re: What is a Dream? Many, many years ago, as a young teacher, I came across this set of propositions by the Chinese sage, Lao Tzu. I was so taken my it, I wrote it down on a piece of stiff paper which I recently 'rediscovered'. This is what it was: Reality - Dreams = Animal Being Reality + Dreams = Heartache (Idealism) Reality + Humor = Realism (Conservatism) Dreams - Humor = Fanaticism Dreams + Humor = Fantasy Reality + Dreams + Humor = Wisdom I like to think that the last equation is what's most true for me
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11-20-2009, 04:36 AM	#11
SergeyT Active Warrior Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moscow, RF Posts: 40 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 9 Posts	Re: What is a Dream? A very good description. it resembles my own views on the same thing. Though I usually differentiated these notions a bit differently: "whould like to have" and "wish to have", but the meaning is the same. I'd rather use the word "desire" instead of "dream" to step aside from "dreams when sleeping". As a matter of fact everything begins with a fantasy. Some things you fantasise about may become so appealing to you and take you so deep that they become wishes and desires, for which you will strive with all possibilities you have. Remember Jules Verne (his books were my favorite in my childhood). Many things he fantasised about have become reality some time later. Fantasies show what may be impossible in current world but what is welcomed. Based on fantasies scientists start their work in realizing brand new approaches, formulate new theories and discover new things. Based on fantasies ordinary people start to look at the world not only as a set of material objects but as energies that may be used in everyday life irrespective of time and distance. By the way, if Michelle changed her fantasy into a dream or desire she might come to an answer as how to achieve it alternatively - there are not only nasa and spacecrafts, one may visit other planets in "out of body experience", which way may seem controversial but works anyway. When we speak about money, financial freedom, wealth and prosperity we imply our subjective world where all this exist. And sure, the tools and rules of subjective world should be used in order to achive our desires of this level...
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