Wednesday 11 August 2010

Touching Happiness

This time I will use my blog to write about me. I always do, you know, but this time directly and not through some story or fantasy. Maybe what I write will be sad, I don't know, but this is how it is.


Don't get me wrong, most of the time I am a content person, happy with what is there, able to see the good things in life as well as the bad things, with a fairly real view of life...I think. What I wanted to write about is something else. I wanted to write about that underlying, always present, experience of being outside.


As long as I can remember I have had that feeling of being outside, left out and that things don't really happen to me. Reality is always beyond me, too far away. I am still like that.


Most of the time I don't think about it, but occasionally this sensation surface, becomes real. And then I know it is always there, always present. Holidays sometimes have that effect, emotions catch up with you and hidden feelings become real.


There is a longing, of course, to be able to reach that which I feel is real, that which is beyond me, that place where it really happens, where I am whole and complete and not lonely. Growing up has to some extent been realising that life is here and now and not over there, not that which I really long for. It is hear and tangible, at times, and not there and perfect.


When I met my first love, when my love, for the first time, was answered, I became happy. I was struck by a sense of reality, that things were really happening, now and to me. Whatever it was, it crashed through the barrier and became real. I was truly happy in all senses of the word.


It didn't last. The real reality made itself known, the distance between people became real and I crashed. I can't call it anything else. This was a terrible time, a crisis, almost madness. Not to the extent that I was admitted anywhere or treated it with anything, drugs or medication or that sort of thing. But I crashed and it was hellish.


I have had similar experiences since, not as powerful and not as terrible, but it has always been connected to powerful emotions, when I break through the barrier, when something good happens. The truth is that I cope better with misery than happiness.


The barrier is not complete, not impenetrable. There is sweetness in life, sweetness that makes me feel real. I can see that now. A caress can be so immensely sweet that I can feel that this is the only reality I ever need. Sometimes a smile or a kind word can get through and touch my heart. Growing up has been to learn to see these small holes in the wall, the moments when I am not alone and miserable. It makes me more content, more satisfied with life.


I will not return to blogging and connect it to what I am doing here. Fantasies are to some extent a way of dealing with that longing, that desire for not being outside, but being inside, where things happen to me for real. Entering into my imagination is to enter into a world where I can create that reality I deep down long for.


Fantasies are not just about sex but they are fuelled by desire. This is because sex is real, sex is something that breaks through, a little, and at times. Not always. Sex is something that really happens and that makes it real. It is dangerous too because when it is really good, the returning to the world can be harsh.


Fantasies about things that are arousing, is a way of being transported to that other world of real things, that world of longing, where things are simple and sweet and delightful. Sex and arousal are good things in that world and that is why they are so prominent in fantasies. But they are not the only thing I long for.


Maybe the kinky side of fantasies functions as a battering ram, to break through the wall. It is by shocking the system, by breaking the norms that I am crashing through and can allow myself the sweetness of my fantasies. I don't know, I am just writing down my thoughts.


Blogging, for me, is not just about writing stories, it is about admitting to that strange inner world where my longings and desires exist, even those that are truly beyond anything that can ever be real.


I see, now, that I have used 'reality' and 'real' in two different ways. On the one hand it refers to the world where we live, where we watch tv and eat food and can be lonely, and on the other hand it refers to that other existence, that inner world, the one I long for, that world where things really happens, the imaginary dreamworld. I hope I haven't confused you too much.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, i feel like you many times. To me, fantasies are a moment of freadom. After fantasising for some time, i come back to real world recharged, and things starts looking much better.

Kisses,

L

Paul said...

Janice, I've been in hospital for some time.
When I got home I was too weak to do much but fantasize.
So I know where you are coming from.
I believe those of us with a little too much imagination tend to do this, It's partly what drives us to achieving and making something of our lives.
I am improving daily, but I'm glad that I didn't miss anything.
Love and warm hugs,
Paul.

Anonymous said...

Janice,
I'm not entirely sure what to make of this post, but it leaves with a wish to reach out through cyberspace and give you a hug. My own experience from American high school and college was that I was missing something. Something "cool" was going on and I wasn't there. In adult life that has sometimes translated into a feeling that life is passing me by. I know that's not true, but the feeling is there.
I hope that you find in both fantasies and reality the sweetness of life.
All the best. Oxbridgeman

Ollie said...

I think most of us feel disconnected and outside of things Janice, and those that do not are not thinking about it.

I was interested in your comment that "It (sex) is dangerous too because when it is really good, the returning to the world can be harsh. "

I don't recognise this effect sexually, but spiritually, as when one has profound spiritual experiences the "normal" everyday world seems unreal by comparison.

Janice said...

Dear L, that is as it should be. I think, however, that imagination is central to my being, in a way, I can't do much about.

Dear Paul, I do hope you are feeling better. It is very true that the imagination is a source of creativity and new ways of thinking. On the whole it is a good thing.

Dear Oxbridgeman, I can see that you understand what I am talking about. There is sweetness, we should just not forget it.

Dear Ollie, I believe that contrast between that which is good and the grimness of reality can make us crash. Hopefully we learn how to handle it.

Hugs

Janice