We arrived at the Accademia at midday. David was much larger than we had both expected.

It’s impressive, said my friend.

I was about to reply that it was indeed spectacular when he winked at me.

I startled.

Are you okay? my friend asked.

I believe David just winked at me.

You mean The David winked at you?

Am I delusional?

You probably just had too much prosecco.

It’s 12:00 p.m. I hadn’t had any alcohol.

Then you’re certainly delusional.

I managed an awkward laugh when the entire museum froze. David stepped toward me and said, Be open to receiving.

I am delusional, I said out loud.

You’re not, he replied. But you should be.

Why?

Because only those who are delusional are capable of creating the most extraordinary dreams.

What do you even know? You’re just a sculpture.

The most gorgeous one, I added.

He looked intensely into my eyes and said,

Dreams = delusion + willingness to receive

Remember that.

Let’s take a picture. My friend’s voice pulled me back.

We took our photo and headed to the museum store, where my intuition persuaded me to buy a small figurine of David.

I reached for my wallet when my friend said, My treat, handing her credit card to the cashier.

I was about to protest, but a subtle voice reached me: Be open to receiving.

Thank you, I said, smiling at my friend.

When I got home, I placed the Mini David on the shelf with my other travel souvenirs.

Days later, the doorbell rang. I asked who it was, but there was no reply.

Open the door. The voice was familiar.

Following the souvenir’s instructions, I opened the door to find a beautiful box resting on the floor.

Eager to receive, I brought the present inside, and before unwrapping it, two words echoed:

Be delusional.

The room turned completely dark. All I could see was a series of images emerging from the box.

My family
My friends
A park
Big Ben
A mountain and a cable car
Thousands of books
A Pomeranian
A white rose
Venice canals
A baby
A mirror
A dance performance
The beach
A boat tour
A Christmas tree
A classroom
An interview
The Egyptian pyramids
A yoga class
An airport
A journal
A heartbreak
A playlist
A graduation cap
A pub full of people
Another pub with even more people
Tower Bridge
A kiss
A journal
Sushi, pizza, paella, and tacos
A bunch of letters
A speech
A hospital room full of flowers
A big balloon
A bachelorette party
A wedding
Laughter
Tears
More laughter
…
A rainbow

Delusion or reality?

Is there even a difference when it comes to a meaningful life?