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You wake up today and you have reached the life of your dreams. What is it like ??
Describe your environment, and what is in your life.
Topics:
Contentment Satisfaction dream fulfillment














Juliette Zahn 50+
Juliette Zahn 50+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYDo8j8IDiA&feature=BFa&list=PLDA2BDC52146184A7&lf=rellist&index=3
Juliette Zahn 50+
László Szantor
Thanks Juliette for asking. Keep living your dreams...... László
Muhammad Aizat Zainal Alam 30+
Juliette Zahn 50+
Muhammad Aizat Zainal Alam 30+
Walter Radtke
Gerald O'brian 50+
"I'm Juliette."
"Hey Juliette. I'm Gerald."
"Good morning, Gerald.'
" This is uncomfortable. You see, I expected to wake up next to my wife. I don't quite know what you're doing here."
"Neither do I"
"Obviously, I've been drinking last night. Wait I didn't mean it that way. You look gorgeous. It's just... Well I'm married, or I was, or thought I was.. Why are you laughing?"
"Your accent is funny."
"Well..."
"We couldn't have met at the pub last night since I was home. I fell asleep on my couch and woke up in your bed."
"So..."
"No, we probably haven't..."
"Right. We'd remember, I suppose, if we had..."
"This is weird."
"Sorry, hmm... your name again?"
"Juliette."
"Juliette, great. So would you like to join me for a cup of coffee and figure this out?"
"Terrific."
"You do have clothes on, right?"
"I've got this gown on, not mine."
"Oh that's my wife's. But that's ok. You can keep it."
"Nice house. Are you a carpenter?"
"I try to be. Mind the staircase. It looks nice, but the first few steps are nasty."
"So you built all that on your own?"
"Yeah... Hey I can also make tea. Yeah let's have tea for a change. You like green tea?"
"Sure. Tell me something, Gerald. Do I look like your wife?"
"Not at all."
"What about personality?"
"Nah, you're very different."
"I don't get it."
"I wonder where my wife is."
"Probably waking up in someone's bed."
"Why is this happening?"
"Don't ask me, my last memory is wanting to switch the TV off. Hang on a second, I think I can't remember where my appartment is. "
"Appartment? You live in the city?"
"We're not in Boston?"
"No... we're not. We're not in the US."
"This is too weird."
"You got a job there, in Boston?"
"Yes. And I need to book a flight real soon."
"What do you think about this? Is it just us, or is the whole world shuffled overnight?"
"We should find out."
"Do you think there is a reason for this?"
"If there isn't, I'm still glad to have met you."
Juliette Zahn 50+
Christophe Cop 500+
If my dreams would suddenly be achieved, I would wonder how it could have happened.
Dreams are easy to imagine, but sometimes hard to realize...
Maybe realizing your dreams is more important than having them realized.
Juliette Zahn 50+
My sincere thanks Christophe.
George Kong 30+
It is a place in which all things are possible, and there is no want, only unabashed curiosity.
Put in a manner of less mysterious and flowery rhetoric - it is a world in which Virtual Reality, nano technology, green/sustainable energy and advanced AI have flourished and mature.
In it, we transist freely between our own world, and many virtual worlds and environments, ranging from directed experiences akin to the the books and movies that we consume today, to environments similar to the games we play, to thriving virtual cities that provide us with abilities and skills that are impossible in a physical reality (e.g. teleportation).
When we transist to the natural world - we will find it largely un-degraded from the world of today - perhaps even improved and repaired - as our desire to consume natural resources for transient experiences and transient goods will have been largely supplanted by the ability to do these things virtually.
In such a world, the only duty one has is to enrich their mind - to experience life undiminished.
Juliette Zahn 50+
I like how that echoed in the walls of my head...until the walls fell down.
" The only DUTY one has is to enrich their mind - to experience life undiminished " ????
Teleportation!!...yes. Finally.
Colleen Steen 500+
Walter Radtke
Alex Mero
Interesting question cause I have really reached the life of my dreams. I reached a state of higher several years ago when I started to write and I know I will never leave that state anymore. From that day I consider it as my only task to be open–minded for the arrival of the right inspiration. For me, writing is a continuous process of intuitive contemplation, evaluation and questioning. A process in which my motivation lies, in a deep longing for truth and union with the higher. I try to offer valuable alternatives to the limitation of our insight and against the extreme selfishness shown by many people. The themes that I discuss can be divided into three categories: a just mode of life in which respect is shown for all people and all cultures worldwide; a responsible behaviour that goes against the powers of a ravenous industrialization; a harmonious walk of life that is able to lead to a worldwide spiritual awareness.
Juliette Zahn 50+
How thrilled I am to know that you are living the life of your dreams. And that you "will never leave that state anymore". And how doubly glad to have you here, with these words which may serve as foot prints to follow.
Thank you.
Walter Radtke
It's a shame to see Freud become the victim of a cultural imperialism or political correctness on the part of critics who attack his research into the sub conscious mind as tainted by Victorian era sexist attitudes. His work on mapping the structures, appetites and influences of sub conscious processes is seminal and clarifying of the human condition. His "The Psychopathology of Everyday Life" should be made required reading.
If there were some way to make introspection (which is a means to understand inner conflict rather than a meditative approach which tends to avoid or suppress thought) into a TV game show or otherwise popularized and woven into the cultural fabric, we might get a handle on such problems as greed and violence.
Keep in mind that mental phenomena occur 20,000 times faster than the speed of speech, the speed of our thoughts. A lot is going on inside your head that you are not aware of and it can shape your thoughts and actions because the sub conscious has access to all memories all the time, even memories you can't bring to consciousness such as pain filled memories.
We are interesting beings- trapped in the past but looking towards an ideal future. Greed is a poor solution towards escaping that trap. There are many poor solutions to these "archaeological" conflicts, solutions that appear to be automatic rather than considered.
László Szantor
Feeling justified even.....why should I give up my excessive lifestyle? Isn't this exactly what all those "havenots " are revolting about? Can greed be explained in these terms? Not even a serious threat of alien invasion would force us to change our minds.
But tomorrow, we will open our eyes and start our day with one cup of coffee instead of two. Still have cars but feel good about having improved on air quality. Hop on our bicycles....our strong legs will take us to work the scenic way. We mostly prefer our power assisted bike to our clean, efficient public transit system. All the sidewalks are clean....nobody litters any more. We learned to take pride living in a clean environment. So nice, not to be afraid of getting mugged....we have been teaching our children to be polite and respectful. People smile so easily these days.
We managed to lengthen our lives a bit but we are mortals yet. We're not afraid of dying any more. We are living to our full potential.....we are happy to be fully human. We don't need any nuclear arms any more. And we are not waiting for supernatural powers to save us. We saved ourselves.
Juliette Zahn 50+
.....We are living to our full potential.....we are happy to be fully human. We don't need any nuclear arms any more. And we are not waiting for supernatural powers to save us. We saved ourselves."
...........
László
I behold this dream as I ride my bike
Juliette Zahn 50+
Comment deleted
Colleen Steen 500+
Do you want to participate in this discussion? How would you like your life to be? Are you happy? How can your life be more content?
Chers Halima,
Voulez-vous participer à cette discussion? Comment aimeriez-vous que votre vie soit? Etes vous heureux? Comment votre vie soit plus de contenu?
László Szantor
This is enough to nourish my soul, whatever it is that needs nourishing in the depths of me, that ever
curious self that wants to know all. I send my gratitude to the gulls circling above.
Walter Radtke
Karina Eisner 10+
Juliette Zahn 50+
Creating lasting influence towards the good; that is the making of a great legacy.
How wonderful to have you here.
László Szantor
László Szantor
Ducks are bobbing for who knows what amidst the floating algae. Airs of the song "Save the last dance for me" fill my ears. Wonder what the Victorians would think about our taste in music..... I prefer listening now to the breeze and wooing-cooing pigeons, children's shrieks and laughter. This bench, this wooden seat under me becomes a vehicle and I am traversing on curiosity's wings. Knowing and not seeing ,seeing and not knowing is my destiny thus far. Will mankind ever know the Truth?
.....how everything was made, how everything works and all this.....for what purpose? My parlance is part of the guessing game. Here we go again, the beat is on....Back to my beloved planet. I love it here. I want it to last forever. Being here now.....is everlasting life.
Juliette Zahn 50+
I cherish the poetry of your view and writing. I love how reading the words on this flat computer screen completely transported me into tranquility, immersed and surrounded by your scenery, even including my favorite song !!
I share this dream and wish. And how honored I am to feel this shared love for our planet with you and everyone here.
In gratitude.
- Juliette
Phillip Beaver 10+
After a while I notice. I say, “Cynthia, you love flowers and shrubs and planting beds, and I hate maintaining them. But I do, because I love you and love that you know the name of each plant and its history in our yard. Unfortunately, you married a guy who likes to read and write. You’d better act in appreciation for my maintenance work, or let me tell you: I will find a woman to talk to.”
She put her paper down and said, “I understand and appreciate your bluntness. Please start at the beginning.” Since then, she has been my best philosophical friend and critic. But that’s not quite heaven, yet.
One day, I’m relating a dialogue with someone who concluded that I was an atheist and from that moment paid no attention to my statement that I am a man of faith. I guess I want Cynthia to mend my wounds. Our daughter, Holly, who is un-churched yet one of the best people many people know, is in the kitchen, not following the conversation. Frustrated with the dialogue, Cynthia blurts out, “Holly, do you believe in God?” Then gets red faced with the spontaneous imposition.
Holly looks perturbed. I break the silence by asking Cynthia, “May I ask an alternative question?”
Cynthia says, “Gladly.”
I ask, “Holly, are you humble?”
Holly looks thoughtful, then answers, “I THINK I’m humble.”
Cynthia let out a good Louisiana aaaaiiiiiieeeee. We give each other a high five. Then we stand and hug Holly.
What a response: Holly left judgment of Holly elsewhere!
Thanks for the chance to share.
Phil
Juliette Zahn 50+
25 years of gardening
+ being able to say "Please start at the beginning”
+ being connected ego-less-ly
= that IS heaven on earth.
Thank you for sharing this,
Phillip Beaver 10+
Phil
Juliette Zahn 50+
Linda Hesthag Ellwein 50+
Phillip Beaver 10+
Phil
Juliette Zahn 50+
Will you join us and post your thoughts on this topic.
I am sure it will be a great and inspiring contribution to this thread. :-)
Bob Van Oosterhout 20+
This would require political and economic systems that rewarded cooperation and compassion rather than greed and self-centeredness and an educational system that was structured to respond to the personal needs and learning style of each child.
Colleen Steen 500+
One of my dreams is that people will communicate with honesty, trust and respect for each other without blame or judgment.
I woke up this morning and recieved a notice of your comment on another site that was posted right before that discussion closed, so unfortunatiy I cannot respond there. I agree with much of what you write in your comments, and there was one discussion in which we did not agree, or we were using different terms, or whatever. I totally respect you and your work, and I also have my own beliefs, which I am willing to share here on TED. Yes, I learn, grow and evolve with each and every interaction, and I am not, in any way playing a "gotcha" game, as you suggested. I lilke to share my beliefs, just as I encourage others to share their beliefs without judgment.
Again, my wish every day when I wake up, is that all people communicate with respect, kindness and love.
Juliette Zahn 50+
Bob this is where I like to wake up and live my life at. I love this.
Karen Kaun
Karen Kaun
Debra Smith 200+
Karen Kaun
Debra Smith 200+
Juliette Zahn 50+
Juliette Zahn 50+
I know I will be holding on to the image you described through dull days and coming back to read your post for a recharge. I am so glad you shared this with us. Thank you.
Astra Singh 20+
If you mean a station in life to which I will have arrived, then I don’t have a ‘Life of my Dreams’. It’s cliché but true: It’s about the journey, with side tracks, scenery, bumps in the road and all. To me that means…I AM living the life of my dreams. I don’t mean to say that I have a rosy, problem-free life (is that even possible? The tiresome negotiations at the moment with my constructor remind me that it is not :) or that I have already achieved everything in life. Good heavens no. Life, for me, is about who I am and the development I’m going through in this life. I am here to grow and help others grow, by making use of the circumstances I am in.
So, what is in ‘the Life of my Dreams’ is variable. Who I am is best experienced in relation to something or someone. The development I wish to experience, with the help of those ‘something’s and someone’s’ (among those TED and TEDsters :), is one that allows me to grow into a more compassionate, giving, trusting, fun, loving person.
I was always interested in a wide variety of things the world has to offer. I have done and/or experienced a lot of those things and certainly have many, many more I wish to experience and do. For example, I look forward to (again) living by a body of water (like the creek where I grew up :), be in a loving relationship and playing with a Labrador retriever. I also look forward to sharing more of my experiences, especially with young adults, and write a book. And of course I would want the ‘good’ experiences to last forever or the goals to be magically achieved, but life has a way of stepping in to present a side track or a bump in the road to challenge me and offer the experiences needed to grow and help others. I am aware that everything changes, nothing is permanent. And so, ‘the life of my dreams’ is made up of that journey and everything I encounter. Not just the destiny.
I hope this helps out in your quest.
Warm regards,
Astra
Juliette Zahn 50+
Inspired.
Thank you dear Astra for this.
Astra Singh 20+
Juliette Zahn 50+
Terry Torok 100+
i am not certain where i am when i awake today... only that the sun is rising, the soil is different from two days ago and warm enough to receive bare feet... i lift the mosquito net i am sleeping under to receive the five smiling faces that stand before me at about four feet tall ... they are the same children i remember singing and playing games with before the sun set. i pour a tea from the teapot, that rests in the coals, and walk through the village towards the school. we begin with lesson plans about heart-mapping i worked out the last few days, i am nowhere near my corporate world in New York, i am in the life of my dreams somewhere else.
Wayne Roberts
Well for me, it goes like this.
I wake up in the house I am now. My company makes enough money that we are comfortable and we can regularly contribute some of our profits to local causes like we plan to. I spend 6 hours a day at the office 4 days a week and the rest of the time following my passion, flyfishing and with my family. My wife has gone solo as a glider pilot (nearly there, keep going!).
We have a house in the highlands at our special spot and we get to spend weekends and holidays there.
Sorry its boring, its not world peace etc but its where I want to be
Hil Gibb
Wayne Roberts
Hil Gibb
Bob Van Oosterhout 20+
What if someone's dream involves enslaving other people or using up resources that lead to the devastation of resources and starvation and suffering in many parts of the world?
Should one not be sorry for such a dream ?
Should we not judge such dreams?
Juliette Zahn 50+
I agree with you 100 percent on the fact that evil visions, desires and plans of the mind deserve shame, judgement and outright elimination. And I don't think the word dream could be applied to such applications of the mind.
Hil Gibb
Bob Van Oosterhout 20+
Evil is a very strong word that is often misleading. My point is that dreams that feel very good for one can result in harm to others. We are responsible when our actions cause harm to others. It is much easier to clean up our dreams than fix unintended consequences of our actions.
If my dream is that my company makes a lot of money so I can retire and the easiest way to do that is by paying subsistence wages to people working in unhealthy conditions, I would feel sorry for that dream and expect to be judged for actions that lead me to fulfill it.
Too many people follow advice to never be sorry and in the process lose awareness of things that they likely should be sorry for. Contrary to the 60's movie Love Story, I believe love means being ale to say you are sorry.
Juliette Zahn 50+
"NOT HAVING TO", which means we should do our best to not cause hurt/harm. But I thought the statement should be: Love means not having to - but saying you are sorry because you want to - because you are aware that you should.
I really appreciate the seriousness of your point : making sure our dreams don't adversely affect those of others is as equally important as having dreams for ourselves. I believe this is function of the level of consciousness we choose to live at as individuals & how much conscience. Some maintain very high levels of consciousness because they are well aware of the potentially destructive "butterfly" effects of their own actions.
Juliette Zahn 50+
Wayne Roberts
Anthony Dell
In the life of my dreams I balance time spent with family, time spent with community, and time spent alone.
In the life of my dreams I exercise daily, eat healthy foods (many grown at home) and inspire my family and others to join me on that path.
In the life of my dreams I ensure that I create something new every day, even if it's as brief as a one-line entry or small doodle in my journal. I include "intake" (e.g., reading, watching a TED video, attending a class or lecture, etc.) as well as "output" (writing, drawing, building, etc.).
In the life of my dreams I contribute something positive to the world outside me, participating as either a business leader, teacher, volunteer, student, writer, speaker, or some combination of those aspects of my passions.
In the life of my dreams I've achieved financial independence to the point at which I can take care of my family, including extended family, and can invest and participate in ventures in which I believe have the potential to make a positive difference in people's lives.
In the life of my dreams everyone I love knows darn well that they are loved by me beyond description.
Colleen Steen 500+
And I suspect you are living the life of your dreams in each and every moment:>)
Anthony Dell
You've helped me more than you know.
Colleen Steen 500+
And YOU have just reminded us of another part of living the life of our dreams. Many times, we have everything and everyone we want in our lives, and we forget to notice...we forget to be aware and acknowledge all the gifts we have around us in each and every moment:>)
You may have helped everybody more than you know my friend:>)
Mr Kebabsoup
Haha! Fail! Consumerism wins!
Juliette Zahn 50+
Your honesty is appreciated :-) Mr Kebabsoup
Karina Eisner 10+
Juliette Zahn 50+
Hil Gibb
And, like Matthieu Miossec, aspirations and dreams can bo organic and shifting.
That said, there are probably some key factors that would consistently feature in my dream life. They are as follows.
* A 'creative nest' (office shed) in my garden with patio doors that easily, and almost seamlessly, connect me with the outdoors
* The ten books, currently in my head/on my computer to varying degrees, are published and doing well
* The workshops and journals relating to the books are also doing well and I am working with a wide range of people
* In my dream life I will have hugged a whale ~ preferably a humpback
* Relationships with my family and friends are easy,warm and full of acceptance and love
* I am still power walking most mornings, running my dogs every day, doing some yoga every evening, having latte and scones with friends, and being like a child (delighting in the little things)
Juliette Zahn 50+
The " whale hug " feeling !! That is majestic :-)
Hil Gibb
Matthieu Miossec 100+
Juliette Zahn 50+
Having what keeps us "happy even on the darkest days".
Something substantial. This is so important. Its everything.
Somehow, this brings amongst other wonderful things, "Seabiscuit" (2003)to my mind right now.
Rafi Amin 20+
Juliette Zahn 50+
I am bursting with excitement to respond to your words but will hold back because I intended for my conversation to be a blank canvas. I am honored that you are in this thread.
Jacob Miller 10+
I would have a dog. ( I cant have one now I live in an apartment). I would not live in an apartment. :) My neighbors would be cool.(they are not) I would like to have a waterslide. I would know how to cook really well. Hmmm. now that I think about it all this is really do-able except for the cool neighbors part..... and waterslide.
Juliette Zahn 50+
Waterslide !! Super !! I am on it. ooops, I said I'll hold myself back and just slipped down this one !!!
Debra Smith 200+
http://youtu.be/1WlRcXIO5ik
Juliette Zahn 50+
Jacob Miller 10+
Frans Kellner 100+
On this site you see some pictures of the peace day we organized.
Scroll down:
http://www.zonneglossis.org/
Juliette Zahn 50+
Frans Kellner 100+
People from all over the world with only one thought and a lot of love.
Debra Smith 200+
Frans Kellner 100+
Tonight we have a peace concert in another old church of center Amsterdam. With again a lot of children for they are our future.
Juliette Zahn 50+
Colleen Steen 500+
That is lovely, and I notice you in the middle of it:>) Are those all your photos? Fabulous!
Although I cannot read the information, the photos tell a very beautiful, colorful, peaceful, loving story. Looking at the photos, makes me feel even more a part of it...thank you for that:>)
My personal world, the space I occupy and move through is peaceful and content, so that fulfills my dreams regarding how I wake up every day, and how I share myself in the space I occupy. I wish to experience the global world working together to create peace, acceptance, respect...which all stems from LOVE:>)
Juliette Zahn 50+
" My personal world, the space I occupy and move through is peaceful and content, so that fulfills my dreams regarding how I wake up every day, and how I share myself in the space I occupy. I wish to experience the global world working together to create peace, acceptance, respect...which all stems from LOVE:>) "
So nice to have your contribution here,
Frans Kellner 100+
I'm sorry if I made you wonder. It is not that much when told.
One of the best cellist we know of would play. We said do what you like we love it anyway. He came with a pianist and an African musician. They didn't play but became music themselves. After that we had some Dervish dancers. It happened that the music they had with them wouldn't play. Within seconds it was solved. The African had a Sufi background in music, we had a young woman that played panpipe and was member of the Sufi movement in the place I live. With one of the dervish dancers those three made music that made heaven shiver. They were total strangers.
Then a few elder women stood crying. They explained that they have had a life of hardship and didn't believe in love anymore. But there and then they felt, heard and saw it which overwhelmed them. It was a big experience for them and for everyone but how can you describe beauty.
Among many things as how everything was arranged and came at its place this was exceptional.
Colleen Steen 500+
Music, dancing, coming together for a fabulous cause, strangers connecting and becoming friends and music makers, people re-discovering love .............
Frans............you ask "how can you describe beauty"?
You just described it my friend:>)
Did you think about my suggestion in another comment? You starting a discussion thread to talk about peace day activities and stories? It think it would be really interesting...
Frans Kellner 100+
As I see we're working to make your dream come true. Nice to hear you liked it.
None of the photo's are mine.
Incredible things happened. Too much to tell in short.
Juliette Zahn 50+
Colleen Steen 500+
I made an assumption...you had a camera...we see beautiful photos...they must be yours!!!
I agree Juliette...it's not fare for Frans to leave us hannnnnnging!
Frans, why don't you start a discussion thread. There was lots of talk on TED sites about the peace day activities. Perhaps others have stories and photos to share? You could start by giving us more information about your peace day, and perhaps it will grow into many stories/photos, which I would love to see and hear.
Juliette Zahn 50+