The Bigger Picture: 'Realistic' is an interesting concept. It's practical, grounding and gives us a decent value for judging our ideas. It needn't be our only guide, however, and in today's world, it seems to be disproportionately glorified.
We honour "realistic" as a quality above all. It's our new god, considered above all others, a representation of our experience and wisdom - some sort of indication of how much we've learned. And yet, not only is it actually obscure and difficult to define, we have been using it in a way that breeds cynicism, hopelessness and widespread social control. It has not been a useful ruler to help propel us forward into committed action. Instead, the idea of realistic has become a mantra to discourage innovation and undermine imagination.
What is real anyway? How can we really be sure we have an accurate picture of 'reality'? Surely the measure of reality can be nothing more than a subjective conclusion based on an individual's identity, experiences, decisions and imagination. Yet, some people are very sure that their version of reality is universal, and others are all too willing to adopt those limits and perspectives.
What makes us so sure we can predict what human potential is or will be in each scenario we encounter? On further reflection, realistic could be an unattainable measure. We could be wasting our time trying to judge ourselves by it. In any case, it is far more likely that realistic, in it's real sense, might be less about how we should limit ourselves and more about an infinite universe we could strive for.
It is unfortunate that so many people seem willing to restrict their view of the real world to that which has already happened or that which they have been able to see themselves. In this way, realistic has become at best, a pragmatic set of statistics of what has happened in our past, and at worst only that which we have chosen to notice. Aiming simply to repeat in our present and future the status quo of the past is not only ridiculous, it's unintelligent.
Every living thing exists does so because of an innate ability to create, innovate and grow. Living life is about looking forward, not giving the past power of the present. Growth and development are so essential to being alive, it's indeed an incredible testimony of the human need to exist that we are able to survive in a state of stasis when we choose to. It's not living, however, and it doesn't bring us happiness.
Of even more concern is the fact that what most people currently define as realistic is not even the full breadth and scope of what has already happened. We make choices about what we focus on and believe in. The attitudes we adopt shape what we see.
Still, there is more evidence for the idea that anything is possible, than there is for the counter point of view.
The cynical version of realistic is usually no more than a numerical average of what happens most often - a limited compilation of frightened mediocrity. That is sad. Few of us know the full picture of human history or seek to research the facts. Even fewer seek to research facts that inspire rather than frighten us.
If our context includes playing it safe and staying within perimeters where we cannot fail because we never try, it's unlikely that we will have seen much of what is possible, let alone powerful.
If, however, we live life with great optimism, fun, trial, error, initiative and innovation, it's not only likely we will see a lot, we'll also have the motivation to imagine much more. Thus, relying on the reality of others can in fact be harmful to our lives.
While realistic may not be the best measure of an idea, there are many more qualities by which we can assess things.
Although not currently enjoy mass appeal, creative, imaginative, innovative, new or attractive are much more interesting ways to judge ourselves.
Ah, you say. If we did this, we'd all go off and do idiotic things that were a waste of time, resources, and disappointed us. Herein lies our crossroad: is the important question in our life whether or not you are realistic, or is it whether or not you believe human beings are intelligent, thoughtful, caring and do good things? Can you trust your nature and motives enough to know that what you want is a good idea? Do you have faith in yourself?
We live in a world where many people have more than sufficient material comforts and remain unhappy, frustrated and even ill. Cynicism, lack of trust and unfair limits are driving a world of hopelessness, emptiness and continuing destruction.
Those with less belief in themselves are attempted an indulgent control of the rest of us. And, we let them.
If you did research the history of human accomplishments, I doubt you'd find a single person whose life got worse because they used their imagination, pursued passions, tried new things, learned and tried more.
It is our birthright to attempt the impossible, and an endeavour in which we deserve endless support.
Shalini Sinha is Sinha is an independent journalist. She is a counsellor on women's issues, has lectured on women's studies in UCD and presents RTÉ Television's intercultural programme, Mono.