We all dream about the theoretical “greener grass” that seems to be everywhere we are not. Everyone has better things, a brighter future, or a less troubled past.

How can we get some of this “greener grass” so others will look at us the same way?

While out daydreaming through the lens of my camera the other day, I managed to snap a picture of the mystical future.

In professional terms; this picture was a pixelated illustration of a hypothetical place that creates pause for many; an image of the metaphorical greener pastures.

The green grass on the other side. The place we all see as quote, “over there” unquote, where things always seem better. In my imagination, I see it allegorically right here in the picture I snapped through my magical lens.

It started me thinking about how we tend to contemplate moments that fall outside of the here and now and then mistakenly we try to use those philosophically non-existent orbs in time to mentally negotiate the quality of our lives.

We define ourselves by what we see in snippets of other peoples’ lives.

This is a mental exercise that typically leaves us exhausted.

We start to wonder about the past.

To date, I’ve never met anyone who possessed the ability to change it, but that rarely stops us from trying.

“If only,” is the beginning of a group of words that when completed don’t form just a sentence.

These words only form a regret.

Regret lays a firm foundation to build both anger and depression; two emotions that never work together for the common good.

The energy spent to create the dwelling they represent will never stand the test of time. The only inhabitant in such a place is envy.

So was I wrong to take a picture of the greener grass that I dream about?

I don’t think so.

You see, it’s not bad to daydream, but it is important to stick to roads found on the map of truth and reality as we take these little mental side trips.

The grass will always be greener looking outward because that grass is planted and cultivated by our own imagination.

It will always contain goals we wish we might accomplish and visions of places we feel compelled to go, or things we yearn to acquire.

And when we look backward, we all do it with 20/20 vision.

Think about why this is always true. Logically, how many of us spend time dreaming longingly of things we don’t want, plan trips to places we never want to travel, or hope that someday we can fail miserably at the goals we set?

Understanding this simple concept helps me get grounded back in the moments I can control.

It allows me to stop wishing for the green grass I see over the fence or across the pond and start fertilizing my own lawn.

I can then expend the energy and focus on the goals I have already. I can use my dreaming to come up with others I want to accomplish.

I try to live as if I am already on “the other side” and find that when I do, people look to me for ideas and encouragement.

“If only,” will then become, “when I,” and I put the words together not to form just a sentence, but to form a manifesto.

Challenge yourself to do the same and share your vision with someone else.

Use the green grass as a place to lay down and watch the clouds float by.