Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.

~ Thích Nhất Hạnh

Ben Hewitt, retreating on a vast land to raise his family freely.
Andrea Hejlskov, quitting the materialist life to live in the woods with her husband and 4 children.
The Yequana tribe, who seems to live blessed, happy, in harmony with nature.
Thích Nhất Hạnh, raising awareness and peace worldwide.
Mahatma Gandhi, who brought non violence into modernity.
Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to helping the poor.
My dream of leaving the in-between, hybrid sustainable life in civilization for a pen and paper, a cabin in the woods, and children running wild.

Having dreams and role models is both a blessing and a curse, I feel right now. A blessing because they show me there’s a way, and I give thanks for that. A curse because of comparing and feeling not there yet.

Am I doing enough?
Are we doing enough?

But of course we’re all humans in that, with our good and bad actions and thoughts, well for most-of-us-not-saints-already. Some might do stuff better than us, we might do stuff better than others. In my life, connecting with my loved ones, staying patient with my free spirited children, taking care of a baby to come on modified bedrest, recycling, and not eating animals feels great for today.

And from the spiritual, Zen perspective, comparing our lives to a dream… Does what we do matter that bad? Should we just enjoy the dream and try not to hurt others’ dreams?

And taking into consideration that there are opportunities in our current lives that we might not have otherwise… If I lived with the Yequanas, I would not be writing words of impact to be read all over the world, maybe.

What if we just do what we can now? The best we can. Then again tomorrow.

That, I can live at peace with.

That, is a great utopia for me right now.

Are you at peace with your life, and dreams?