Each of us have a personal reason or reasons that explain our desire to be a part of the world of Star Wars, or any other fan groups. The question that surfaces frequently for me is whether these reasons are contributing to or distracting from some other aspects of living in the real world.

These thoughts have led me into studying some philosophical and psychological publications by the so called experts in human thinking. I have noticed that while we don't understand all aspects of the mind we do accept what appears to be a fact. And that is that fantasy plays as much a part in the health of our brains as does sleep (another area that little is known about).

My feelings lead me to believe much as the Australian aboriginals do. They feel that what we call the "real" world is actually an illusion. In fact they call it the "dream time". The only real world exists when they are asleep or in trance experiences. It would seem to them that the world was made to have a place to play out the qualities they want to develop in themselves before they awake permanently in their real world.

I suspect as a religious person in my own rite, that there is some truth in the aboriginal view. If there is a plan to the experience we are having, it is also a place we have chosen to come to as an opportunity to play out (if you will) or develop the qualities that will hold us in stead for the eternities yet before us.

Somehow in the basic construct of our minds we seem to react positively most of the time with dreams (or fantasies) and have a physiological need to dream while asleep. But I think we also need to live waking dreams through activities such as imagining ourselves as part of the hero/heroine, villain, superhero, etc., that most attracts our attention. How else can one explain the continued growth of comic books, fantasy films and paperback books of all kinds.

Experts disagree where these needs come from, but they all seem to agree that humans spend a great deal of time and money to fulfill these fantasy needs. And the results as a whole seem to contribute to more stable communities and reduce civil disobedience by those who so participate.

The fans I have met appear to want to help others rather than take advantage of them. I believe that, like myself, they find their own admiration for selfless heroes and even feel rewarded when they choose to act the part of the villains that are frequently defeated in the stories. By playing out these roles through clubs, conventions, fan films, etc., they become a part of something bigger than their individual lives. They find their ten seconds of fame every time they look into the faces of other people who admire them for the characters they are portraying.

I spent years helping to put on parades here in the Pacific Northwest during our summer seasons so I could be a part of something big enough to attract the attention of and put smiles on the faces of our communities. While this may have only lasted for a few moments in the lives of these crowds, it seemed to make a temporary difference in the way people acted in the days following the events.

Star Wars costuming and club membership has given me an even richer opportunity to see people (whole families) smile and be awestruck by our characters. To see them make donations to charities we support for the chance to have a picture taken with a Jedi, Rebel, Stormtrooper, Darth, and villains of all types, makes me proud to be helping not only the charity, but giving the fans a warm experience to take home to their "real" world of their dreams!