Being a child of immigrants, I constantly yearned for items my parents could not afford. Thus, not being able to own or posses them, I drew them.
It was a wonderful escapism and my imaginary world supplied me with a relatively adequate substitute, when reality failed to provide what I needed.
Later, as a teenager I continue depicting my dreams on paper, because my imagination was always vivid and to my dreams the sky was never the limit. I found a release in being creative, one that brought a certain amount of tranquility into my days. I relished in the idea of being able to create a world the way I wanted to see it. My romantic views came to their full potential as I drew and painted, and I most absolutely enjoyed the idea of putting my visions on paper and later on canvas.
Thus daydreaming occupied many spare moments of my teenage years and continued long after I turned into a young adult.
Today I no longer feel the need to draw my dreams, instead my contemplation about life, past, present and future is channeled into my writing and my photography. Nevertheless, my thoughts still do wonder from time to time. That momentarily reality escape, as my gaze is drawn to an invisible point in the air, instigating a flight in time and space, where anything is possible...
The enchantment and the absolutely unforgettable experience is hidden in the expectations and in the journey itself. Too often we are so blinded by the efforts of reaching our destination, that we forget to enjoy the trip.
We forget to enjoy the magic of detours and wrong turns and we let the best pass us by...
38 comments:
A lovely post Zuzana, I've heard it said that anticipation is the greater part of the pleasure, true for most things I've found.
I like to look out the a-frame window in my living room and let thoughts swirl in and out of my head while I watch the clouds wander by. I guess that is my style of daydreaming. Beautiful post today.
I continue to day dream! These days of Internet and online friendship have taken me to places, and have shown me things I never - not even my dreams - I thought possible. I dare say my daydreaming (and dreaming in general) got stronger! Nothing better than to take the mind away from harsh reality through an active imagination. Or so I think...
have a great day!
beautiful zuzana...being present is the best gift of all...and yet, still, the dreaming allows for growth and integration of what we glean through those moments of presence. Do you know what I mean? I think a balance is important...and in truth we are not capable of continuous presence, our minds don't work that way...they travel forward and backward...as long as we KNOW we can CHOOSE to be present and do choose that throughout each day...then dream time (day or night) is a valuable inner resource. Anyway, that's what I'm thinking.
ps...I was a notorious daydreamer as a child and occasionally got in trouble in elementary school for not paying attention to the lesson (well the teacher anyway!)...I guess I was imagining and developing my own lessons within!
You're so right Zuzana. As I grow older this lesson becomes more real to me. Nice that you always had creative inclinations. I'm only now acknowledging mine.
smiles. love that last line...wrong turns may be right if we let them..i tend to day dream a bit myself...smiles. andaccomplishing thedreams of our youth...nice.
so beautiful, wise and true. as always;)
It's nice to dream. And how right you are about the anticipation, how strong it can be sometimes, even greater than the actual happening.
As usual - your words ring so true for me. For different reason growing up - I escaped into my imagination also - I liked to draw and I liked to write... I often laugh when I think about the "mystery novels" I would write (being that I was a huge fan of Nancy Drew) lol - As I grew older I continued on with my art and tried to get better - but only grew more frustrated when in art classes I saw those around me who were so much better... Now I realize that at the time when I needed it, it helped me through a difficult period in my childhood - a wonderful way to escape reality.
It still irritates me though - as someone who has been a lifelong sufferer of depression, aren't I supposed to be a GENIUS when it comes to art and stuff like that!!? I mean, come on? van Gogh? Edvard Munch? Ernest Hemingway? Mozart?? (I played piano for 9 years and I suck!!! lol!!) I could go on, but you get the picture! I'm not saying that I should be some type of genius, but can't I at least get a little talent in exchange for my depression!? :) I can't help but find it amusing...
On another note...you make a wonderful point (that we all need to remember) - it's the journey that matters - I have to constantly tell myself this - I recently accomplished a huge goal of mine - earning my Bachelor's degree (in Social Work). I first went to college right out of high school but due to circumstances at the time (depression, etc.) I had to drop out - then a few years back while working full-time I decided it was time to finally earn my degree - and it was so rewarding - I actually ENJOYED writing papers - because I loved hearing my professors feedback... I got more and more excited as I came closer to graduating - finally - my goal was becoming a reality. I was so happy when I got my diploma - but like you said - the euphoria is temporary - because something I enjoyed was now over - and I had rushed through it - marking off classes that I took (so I could see myself inching towards the finish line) - when I should have just been fully enjoying the ride...
Life is certainly full of lessons to be learned... thanks for the constant reminders that you share Zuzana!!
((Hugs))
Christine
p.s. (as if I didn't leave a long enough message as it was) - but I would be very interested in seeing your drawings/paintings - just in case you ever felt like sharing them on your site? Did you ever consider doing so??
You're so right. The journey is the goal!
Lovely piece of writing.
Beautifully said, Zuzana.
Hugs,
Donna
Well said. I think embracing the journey means loving life each second of the way. Not always easy. Your transforming your dreams into images made them yours--perhaps in ways more meaningful than they ever could be in the material world.
So true - I also seem to find that when I reach my goal I become disinterested in my prize...the pursuit is definitely a prize in and of itself, I think :)
That is lovely. Even I indulged a lot in day dreaming. It has been wonderful.
Absolutely, my dear Zuzana and you know what I mean. The journey in imagination and day-dreaming is the best part rather than the destination.
Time does so many things to us. Time!
Big hugs dear Zuzana.
Joy always,
Susan
Well said-- Life is definitely about the journey. Thanks for sharing your beautiful writing with us.
Cheers, jj
PS I love your thoughts on snow-- only between Christmas and New Years with spring starting immediately thereafter-- LOVE that!
Oh, you are so right. The process of achieving is what gives us the most delight. Beautiful post.
Drawing and painting your visions and wants, when younger. How wise, in a young child and teen. :-)
I seem "stuck" on this first part of your post. :-) It's so lovely. It's such a nice place to be "stuck."
I think this is a lovely post.What you say reminds me of a poem called Ithaka by a greek poet called Cavafy.Do you know it> If not google it because it ia all about the journey.Life is a constant journey!
I think this is a lovely post.What you say reminds me of a poem called Ithaka by a greek poet called Cavafy.Do you know it> If not google it because it ia all about the journey.Life is a constant journey!
That last paragraph is so true! We're so busy trying to get there that we miss the path along the way.
And because of this, I'm going to do my very, very best to enjoy every moment of college life! I know there will be times I detest it but I'm going to force myself to at least find something good out of that experience too. Because it'll be over all too soon and I don't want to miss any of it.
Hope you're feeling better, Zuzana!
The magic of detours...the Cleveland, Ohio writer Regina Brett gave a nice YouTube speech on Detours to a small audience and your post was just as wonderful. A newspaper article last Sunday claimed that teenagers spend half of their day---daydreaming! I think it is healthy! xoxo!
Oh my Zuzana! SO TRUE! SO TRUE! I could never give up my daydreams! If I did, I think a little bit of me would perish!
Beautifully expressed, my friend. And so true.
What a great post! And so true! We often discount daydreams, but they are gifts indeed!
Ahhh yes! From one Daydreamer to another! If I had a nickel for every daydream...Hm. I think I'll keep the daydreams! They're like little bits of magic sprinkled throughout our days. I was deemed a daydreamer by my second grade teacher, now my family lovingly calls my " other world" Debs World" when they have to real me back into reality...
So true about how our focus is often only on the outcome of things and not the process. The joy and mystery is in the journey!
Wonderful words today and I love all of your images... especially the woman on the sail boat!
Deb
What is inside you is as important as what is around you. Daydreaming is free, costs only time.
"Wer eine Reise macht, hat etwas zu erzählen." say the Germans. The one who travels, has something to tell. So true.
once again, thanks for the reminder to live mindfully .... not mindlessly.
Beautifully said dearest Zuzana...it's always nice to be reminded for enjoying our very unique and exciting journey in life...I wish I can see those drawing of yours :-)
Much love: Evi
Oh, I couldn't agree more. Life is a journey and we do need to enjoy the journey...ups and downs, included.
I have daydreams. I think it's healthy, actually. I will never feel too old to have daydreams, I hope.
Kath, Stevie, Claudia, Laura, Myrna, Brian, Maja, Lynn, Christine, ladyfi, Donna, Sandy, adrielle, Rajesh, Susan, Joanna, Radka, Nessa, Amelia, Angela, sprinkles, Michael, Jill, Hilary, Betty, Deborah, swenglishexpat, Doreeen, Evi and Cheryl - thank you dear friends for finding true meaning in the idea of the journey with me.;)
Indeed, we are often so focused on reaching our goals, that we forget to notice signs of diversion, those which might lead us elsewhere and a much interesting place to be.;)
Thank you so much for your visits and such lovely comments.;)
Xoxo,
Zuzana
Lovely post and I so agree with you that the journey is most important.
Came over from Hilary's site to congratulate you on receiving a POTW mention... and decided I'm staying.
Jane
I still get lost in my thoughts. The daydreams I had at a younger age were often scorned by my teachers and got me in trouble.My father told us stories while drawing pictures and perhaps gave me the will to continue making more pictures in my mind. I get lost while shooting pictures, they all become a story in my life.Very nice post, a delight to read.
Very well written. I so relate to enjoying the trip, as well as the destination.
Ideas, anticipation, and the joy of the journey... these are what make life enticing.
Beautifully written, Zuzana.
Dreams give us something to aim for and just working towards them is often good enough. Many times the journey brings us to places we couldn't have imagined...
Jane, Out On The Prairie, Technobabe, kcinnova and Maria; thank you so much for taking the time to visit through Hilary's POTW post. I appreciate your kind words,
xo
Zuzana
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