Get Real

In a dream I saw myself as a great and colorful butterfly; now I am not sure if I am Chuang-Tsu dreaming I was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming I am Chuang-Tsu. ~ Chuang-Tsu, Chinese Patriarch

Over the past decade, the word real has come into vogue. Coca-Cola insists that it is “the real thing.” Our friends tell us to “get real.” Before entering into business ventures, we do a “reality check.” We can’t help avoiding the questions, “What is real?” and “Who is the real me?”

I am reminded of younger years when nearing the end of summer camp, or more recently the return from sunny vacations. I find myself saying the same thing each time, “Too bad we have to go back to the real world now.”

But the truth is; this is the real world.

The wonderful experiences at camp; the fun, the adventure, the genuine friendships. The calming experiences of lazy vacations, the love, the honest communication.

These qualities reflect our true identity much more than the world we usually call ‘real.’

What world is real to you?

The world that most people consider real is fraught with illusions. Money, fame, power, sex, and material security do not offer true reward and substance; they dissolve as soon as the tiniest light is shed on them.

While the “real world” tells us that these commodities are worth living and dying for, those who have them are often desperate for love, relationships, communication, community, and peace of mind.

The real world is the world of kindness, caring, vision, and service. All of these qualities are attributes of our divine nature.

As children of God, we can be only what God is, and that is everything that is good. We are born of light, and we return to the light. To live in light is to live in the real world.