Hi everyone,

Does anyone else have any thoughts on the term "reality" check? I have heard some people use the phrase "state check" or "dream check" which I like a little better. But the tradition seems to be to say "reality" check. My only thing about that is that I don't think dreams are separate from "reality". I think reality contains everything that exists, so dreams are reality.

But also I think reality is a loaded word that has some different connotations.

re·al·i·ty
rēˈalədē/Submit
noun
1.
the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.
"he refuses to face reality"
This is the common use of "reality" that I don't like. Because it assumes theres only one way to look at things. Like if someone said, "wake up and face ugly reality". Well that is just a negative perspective on life. It's kind of a "downer". And they go on to say that reality is especially meant to be a grim word, as in, "the reality of life in a farming community". So it sounds to me like a negative collective belief, upheld by shutting down each others hopes and dreams, based on fear.

BUt this definition of reality is a little more inclusive to all experiences:

2.
the state or quality of having existence or substance.
"existence that is absolute, self-sufficient, or objective, and not subject to human decisions or conventions."
I still think my dreams have an existence that is absolute and objective. I don't make them up. They actually happen.

My only way of making peace with the term "reality check" as it is has been to say, well, I am just testing WHICH reality I am in. Am I in the physical reality, where my finger CAN'T go through my palm? Or am I in the dream reality, where my finger CAN go through my palm? But they are both different "realities".

As opposed to, I'm "in reality" now as I type this... But when I dream, I am "not in reality". This is the use of "reality check" I don't agree with.

I wonder if anyone had a similar concept. I'm aware that it challenges tradition or status quo. And I'm sure that all the people who have ever written anything aren't going to go back and put out a new edition of their work based on my post about the use of the word "reality". But its just weird getting to a place in my Dream Journal like.. I thought I might be dreaming so I did a... "Reality Check"... No... "dream state check"... No... "finger palm test"... okay... thats more inclusive.