It seems paradoxical, doesn't it, that you could inspire yourself with a reality check? After all, you might ask, isn't reality what's bumming everyone out? The answer to that question is yes, and no.

It's certainly true that there are plenty of things happening in the world today, and in our own portion of the world, that are challenging and worthy of our concern. Most of us, if given the choice, would instantly choose a world of peacefulness, joy and plenty than one with incessant warring, fear and poverty.

And yet this is where we find the paradox. While the news headlines and advertising machines are designed to keep us in a constant state of fear and frenzy, the reality they'd like us to believe in is quite different from what's actually real, on balance. (You see, you don't buy as much when you're feeling happy and satisfied with your life, and you're harder to manipulate — for votes and purchases — when you're not in a state of fear.)

What we see as reality is, in many instances, a matter of choice. Seems strange, doesn't it, that that's the case? And nowhere are unrealistic beliefs more evident than in assumptions about money, wealth and prosperity.

For example, newspapers and magazines constantly feature and exalt millionaires, with the suggestion that everyone's a millionaire and that's what you should strive to be, too. Indeed, you wouldn't be alone if you fell for this misperception. According to Washington Business Forward, 56-percent of the wealthiest one-percent of the American population (those who make over $300,000 per year) consider themselves "upper middle class" rather than wealthy. Only four-percent of U.S. households have income and assets of more than $1-million. What else does this tell you? That making more than $300,000 in annual income — much less than a million — puts you in a very, very small percentage of people. It's not even close to normal.

The reality is that, even in the wealthiest country in the world, the average annual household income is about $36,000 (with pre-recession boom-time surveys slightly higher), and that's with people living pretty well when compared to how the majority of people on the planet live. The average small-business owner, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, brings home about $40,000 a year, on average, out of annual business revenues of about $140,000. And there is a veritable buffet of statistics like these that are yours for the seeking. So you can choose to feel poor if you're not making your millions, or you can take a look at the reality and choose to feel more prosperous about your life.

Another false assumption created by out-of-balance reporting (and seeing) is that we live in a "dog eat dog" world, full of people who are only out for themselves (and out to get you and yours!). While there are certainly unfortunate situations and people who would fit these descriptions, there are also many who disprove this assumption. One only has to read the issues of Hope Magazine (www.hopemag.com) to see many "everyday people" extending themselves on behalf of others and a more positive world reality. Or visit Heroic Stories (www.heroicstories.com) for a little taste of this alternative (and infinitely kinder and more inspiring) reality.

These are only two areas where many people feel an intense degree of stress, dissatisfaction, perpetual defensiveness, and a sense of "being behind." The same is true regarding fears of violence, terrorism, airplane accidents and just about everything else we shrink and limit our lives by believing. Yet the more positive alternate realities exist, despite the lack of media focus on them.

What else might a little reality check tell you about some of the assumptions that you hold and shape your perception of reality by? Perhaps some of the beliefs by which you judge your own prosperity and success,and by which you set and measure your goals, are as false as the afore-mentioned belief about income and wealth. Wouldn't the reality be a better choice by which to evaluate and shape your days? It will no doubt be more inspiring, and rewarding, than you think.

*You can read more information about the Washington Business Forward data (drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau, Business Week Online, and other sources), at http://www.bizforward.com/wdc/issues/2002-09/firstforward/.

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