There’s a phrase we often hear when suggesting a new approach to a problem: “That’s not very realistic.” You’ve likely heard it—and perhaps said it yourself. I know I have.
Hearing it again recently made me reflect more deeply on what “realistic” really means. Typically, being realistic implies practicality—working within what seems possible given our time, resources, and circumstances. It means focusing on facts and evidence rather than wishful thinking. When someone presents an idea that feels far-fetched, “be realistic” is often the response.
But I came across a different perspective in Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy: “We must look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things.” This view suggests that true realism goes beyond surface appearances. It invites a gentler, deeper way of seeing—one that acknowledges there may be more to life than what is immediately visible or previously experienced.
Three kinds of openness
In my experience, three groups of people tend to resist labeling ideas as unrealistic.
First, scientists. Across disciplines, scientists continually push the boundaries of what is known. Their work is grounded in data, experimentation, and repeatable results, yet history shows that what was once deemed impossible can become possible. Scientific thinking, at its best, remains open to discovery.
Second, artists. In art, possibility is limitless. Skies can be orange, perspectives can shift, and imagination reshapes reality. This creative openness allows artists to embrace new and unconventional ideas with ease.
Third, people of faith. Faith involves recognizing a reality that transcends conventional understanding. It’s like discovering an unseen level of existence—one that offers insight beyond what the senses alone can perceive.
Mary Baker Eddy, as quoted above, described a form of realism rooted entirely in an all-encompassing Mind—an omnipresent, omniscient consciousness. From this perspective, reality is fundamentally spiritual, grounded in good, in Life, and in Love. Throughout history, many have felt and demonstrated this truth. In my own life, I’ve seen it expressed in healing and solutions, in restored relationships, and in guidance during challenging work.
Unexpected solutions
Recently, I had two opportunities to explore this deeper sense of realism.
While sorting through a long-closed family storage space, my husband and I prepared numerous identical black bags of clothing for donation. Later that evening, I wondered if a particular item needed to be retrieved for a family member. Faced with dozens of indistinguishable bags, the practical solution seemed tedious—cutting them open one by one.
But I paused and considered: if there is an infinite Mind governing order and clarity, wouldn’t it be realistic to expect precise guidance? The next day, standing in that dim storage space, I trusted that idea—and immediately picked the correct bag.
Another challenge involved boxes of old books—too worn for resale, yet too valued to discard. The situation felt overwhelming, and I was tempted to delay dealing with it. Then a quiet thought urged me to listen instead of worry and take a deep dive into the realism that divine Mind is representing.
That same day, while in this storage space, I received an unexpected, surprising message: did I know anyone willing to donate books to a theater for set design? Within hours, a team arrived with dollies and carts to collect them. What had seemed like an unsolvable problem resolved itself effortlessly within a few hours. Fun fact: The theatre turned out be right across from the storage space and is actually a theatre I have been to several times.
A deeper realism
So what is truly realistic? Is it only what appears immediately possible—or does it include openness to higher guidance and unexpected solutions?
Perhaps real realism isn’t about limitation, but about alignment with what is true. It’s about trusting that there is order, intelligence, and care beyond what we can immediately see. It’s about letting go of fear and recognizing that we are supported, guided, and capable of more than we assume.
Maybe being realistic, in the deepest sense, means acknowledging an infinite source of wisdom—and being willing to follow where it leads. It might involve a theatre.
