Is Daydreaming Harmless or a Signal?

[Dominique]

I would appreciate any comments, wisdom, experience, pertaining to the "message" that daydreaming might signify. I have for quite a long time daydreamt about being in an entirely other professional area than I am now (Professor). These daydreams are as strong as ever, even more "precise". But they would involve very complicated changes...

 

I have tended to brush these thoughts off as mere brain-relaxation or a bit of escapism, but I find that the "scenes" I envisage are persistent...and thoughts of them put me in a wonderful mood. This usually happens when I am on a long walk, and just kind of letting thoughts wander freely. They almost always go this daydream.

 

Or, if I am somewhere where someone, for example, refers to this or that anecdote, or opinion, or view of the world which triggers an image of my daydream, I become immediately anxious, as if I must get-with-it immediately.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on this nature of thinking? Am I somehow ignoring a "passion" of mine? Who here would take these strong, consistent bouts of daydreaming (such as this) so seriously? Or am I just too head-in-the-clouds....

 

Help

 

DOM

[Ronni_W]

Yes, I do believe that messages we get through 'daydreams' MAY be our 'Inner Wisdom' or 'Higher Self/Mind' trying to communicate with our conscious minds.

And, yes, I do tend to spend time reflecting on the 'random thoughts' that make their way through to my consciousness -- well, on those 'random thoughts' that somehow feel a bit more...meaningful than all the other random thoughts. For me, it's just a sort of 'sense' that there may be more to it than just the surface image/thought -- difficult to explain.

Am I somehow ignoring a "passion" of mine?

That one only you can answer -- or even just guess at your answer. What do you feel, about it? Is there a faint possibility that you ARE ignoring a deep desire that relates to educating, guiding, mentoring -- anything along those lines? Or even. That you ought to be seeking out a mentor, guide or somesuch? -- be the 'student' (of whatever topic) instead of the teacher, that is.

 

Cos I have found that these types of images that come from wherever, sometimes there is a sort of 'hidden' meaning or message, and it's not just about a literal interpretation/translation.

[TotalChaos]

Hello. I can relate to this thread and have often wondered the same. I recently started listening to a CD Set by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. It's called The Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life. In disc 1 of this set, Dr. Dyer explains that if you have "daydreams" or thoughts that persist over and over it is a calling. The set is very good. I just completed disc 4 out of 6. I say go for it and falling your heart.

[Dominique]

Thank you, both Ronni and TotalChaos (nice screenname! ) for your words. Ronni, your perceptions are very sharp, getting down to the psychology of the matter. TC--I am going to look into this book.

 

These daydreams are, let us say, more "artistic", and not so professional-academic. They pound at me on a daily--morning noon night-- basis and I feel like I am living too much of "two lives"--this inner life and what I present to the world. I also wonder if suppressing this "calling" has caused some short-sighted moves in relationships of mine because I acted out of a subliminal frustration or resentment or I don't know what. Some friendships and relationships have been encouraging (to the extent I talk about this) but then it is a question of first steps. As someone once said there never is a "right time"--you just do in whatever first small step ways you can "here and now" do. It is still daunting...

 

Outwardly, I appear "together", but inside it is this churning distraction. It all sounds quite dramatic but it just is. It all runs very deep, and is its own unique form of pain.

 

DOM

[JamesM]

On the flipside, daydreams can actually be an expression of anger at your current boss, anger at yourself for your performance, or an expression of depression regarding your current position.

 

Daydreams can also be about relationships and more.

 

But as an example, if you are daydreaming about a different job and find the one you are doing extremely boring or frustrating, this daydream can simply be an escape from your situation. If you were to solve the problems with your current job, then you may find that the daydreams hold no fascination.

 

Escapism is one method we all use to forget about our troubles when we have no solutions to fix them.

 

Your daydream may not necessarily be about the future, but it could simply be a message about today.

[Ronni_W]

These daydreams ... pound at me on a daily--morning noon night-- basis and I feel like I am living too much of "two lives"

I agree with JamesM, and go a step further: It IS about 'today' (the 'Now' moment, as Dyer might say.) It is about what you need to be doing for your ultimate self-fulfillment, and that you need to start doing it today/now.

 

The way you are describing it, it certainly sounds significant. Do you have any insight into why you've been ignoring it for what seems like a rather long time? And/or, how you've been able to ignore it for however long it's been?

 

And yes, that lack of congruence between your internal world and what you present to the external will feel exactly like "churning distraction"...even total inner chaos. And yes, it does breed all sorts of maladaptive ways that we use, to try to hide from it, which does then get reflected back through our various relationships. (That is, the "churning" and chaos and such, gets reflected back and is reflected in how we are in our relationships.)

 

Which is to say, it's NOT "dramatic" once you get deeper into it. But yes, those who haven't experienced it might want to pass it off as dramatics or "new age crap" or whatever. One gets used to that, and just carries on with following one's own Heart/Soul, as TotalChaos suggested to do.

 

What feels to be the single most daunting thing, when you consider taking your first small step?

[Dominique]

Hi Ronnie, Hi James M...Thank you ever so much for your posts...You are indeed helping me...

 

To JamesM: I would have "dismissed" all this as mere escapism/frustration/distraction if it were such the case that these daydreams did not involve strong artistic interests, "visions" of mine. For example, if I were just thinking about a scene in Hawaii I might enjoy or some romantic getaway--that is one thing. But all this does feel like voices in the head trying to be heard (Not to alarm anyone--not baying at the moon just yet...). So I believe that it is far more substantive than escapism...

 

Also, I do not "dislike" what I do. It has brought me a lot of personal/intellectual satisfaction and I have met the interesting and wonderful people in my life through my work. I will say, however, that I do not see it as something I want for the long term....

 

To Ronni....these daydreams have only become more "sophisticated" as time has gone by. More exact, more clear and in their way...more enjoyable. The nature of what I am dreaming about is....(roll of the drums) a film....Yes, "unfortunately". That complicated. I know one must begin with the "first step" like everyone else--admittedly I am "daunted".

 

I don't even like movies all that much, I have no interest in "Hollywood". And I find most of the hangers-on/wanna-bes in that world pretty off-putting. But it is as if there is this "message" I would like to communicate. A kind of philosophical theme that may have been born from my sedate-academic side. Help.

 

This thing has been eating at me for a decade.....

 

DOM

[Ronni_W]

what I am dreaming about is....(roll of the drums) a film....Yes, "unfortunately". That complicated. I know one must begin with the "first step" like everyone else--admittedly I am "daunted".

Say wot??? Sorry, Dom -- my 'decoder unit' is malfunctioning...I really can't get a good handle on your post.

 

But as I said before, it sometimes requires (much) more than a literal interpretation. I might suggest to hone your sense-feel "soft skills" and not be bound too much by intellectual-rational-academic.

 

If it is that you feel you have a message that you must give to the world -- well, you can start by figuring out the subject, and then just a very basic draft of a script, yes? You only need your imagination and a method of recording your musings and thoughts.

 

When you start to breathe a bit of life into it, you may find it is NOT at all about a Hollywood-type movie. In any event, whether it is ultimately a book or movie or something else, isn't quite so important right 'now'. Point is, don't let your assumptions and guesses limit you from fleshing it out in writing, thereby giving a bit firmer 'shape' to whatever product/service it will ultimately turn out to be.

 

 

(Film could just be the way your subconscious mind is trying to let you know that you have a message that is worth sharing with a bigger audience. It could end up being more of a presentation or video, aimed at your area high schools or local community.

But also. These days, there are a hundred ways to get messages out to a larger audience, from YouTube to blogs to websites to podcasts to stuff I don't even know. That is, the details are only gonna be as "complicated" as you allow your rational mind to make it -- why not just let your Creative Mind do the hard work, when the time is right? But likely you are a long way away from a final product/service, so don't even worry about sweating the production/distribution part of it right 'Now'.)

[Ronni_W]

Dom,

I have a link to a free, 10-minute meditation that is intended to help gain clarity about one's purpose. If it sounds like something you'd like to listen to, feel free to 'private message' me. (It's from a commercial marketing/promotion site, so I don't want to post it here.)

Ronni

[Dominique]

Say wot??? Sorry, Dom -- my 'decoder unit' is malfunctioning...I really can't get a good handle on your post.

 

But as I said before, it sometimes requires (much) more than a literal interpretation. I might suggest to hone your sense-feel "soft skills" and not be bound too much by intellectual-rational-academic.

 

If it is that you feel you have a message that you must give to the world -- well, you can start by figuring out the subject, and then just a very basic draft of a script, yes? You only need your imagination and a method of recording your musings and thoughts.

 

When you start to breathe a bit of life into it, you may find it is NOT at all about a Hollywood-type movie. In any event, whether it is ultimately a book or movie or something else, isn't quite so important right 'now'. Point is, don't let your assumptions and guesses limit you from fleshing it out in writing, thereby giving a bit firmer 'shape' to whatever product/service it will ultimately turn out to be.

 

 

(Film could just be the way your subconscious mind is trying to let you know that you have a message that is worth sharing with a bigger audience. It could end up being more of a presentation or video, aimed at your area high schools or local community.

But also. These days, there are a hundred ways to get messages out to a larger audience, from YouTube to blogs to websites to podcasts to stuff I don't even know. That is, the details are only gonna be as "complicated" as you allow your rational mind to make it -- why not just let your Creative Mind do the hard work, when the time is right? But likely you are a long way away from a final product/service, so don't even worry about sweating the production/distribution part of it right 'Now'.)

 

 

Dear Ronni,

 

Thank you for taking the time for your response here. Yes, my "daydream" is to do a kind of movie that expresses a very strong opinion about life and it is always just "there", floating in front of my mind's eye. I have written much of it down, but it is hardly coherent.

 

You are right that there are many forms, small and larger, to get "messages" out there, and one can start locally. That step by step part is just what one has to master. I like your comment that it will only be as complicated as I view it (to be complicated). This is a great perspective--takes the esoteric quality away somehow...

 

What I am trying to figure out is When or if there really is ever a good "When"---it seems it is always the worst time or the best time. And to go down this path takes a lot of risk...So I am trying to figure out if these daydreams are for real...

 

I would appreciate very much the link you suggested...Is it possible to PM me? I believe I can receive PMs now...

 

Many thanks,

DOM