Getting a firm grasp on reality

Before I get started....I suppose I need to understand the definition of reality before I get a grasp on it.  I like #2 however, I think it will be hard to grasp something that is not actually there.  

re al i ty (ree-al-i-tee)

noun, plural 

1. the state of quality of being real.

2. resemblance to what is real. 

3. a real thing of fact.

4 real things, facts or events taken as a whole: state of affairs