I do not know about you, but I treasure recalling my dreams – even if they are nightmares. ~ Jussta Thought
The other night, I had a dream that I was moving. I kept discovering more closets I did not know that I had. They were stuffed full of clothing. I felt overwhelmed, concerned, how I could possibly move all of this stuff. At the bottom of one of the closets, I discovered a box. When I opened the box, I was stunned to see kittens! I reached in, and began removing one kitten at a time, but each time I removed a kitten, several more appeared in the box. As I removed several kittens at once, suddenly – there was a large snake in the bottom of the box that immediately bit my hand. It occurred to me that I should capture the snake to show the paramedics so they would know what kind of anti-toxin to administer. I stared at my hand, and kept turning it over; but I was surprised there was no bite mark. While I was distracted looking at my hand, the snake slithered away, and disappeared. I woke up and looked at my hand to make certain I had not been bitten.
That is the realm of dreams!
“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” ~ Sigmund Freud
So even in my dreams, time spent with ‘cats’ is obviously not wasted. When we dream, we want to interpret the dream. Our subconscious speaks to us in symbols. A kitten is not a kitten, nor is a snake a snake. Are closets our inner-most feelings? When a closet is filled with clothing, do the clothes represent ideas, or too much thinking, possibly vanity?
Each person reading this article would have many different interpretations of this dream. I will not share my own insight into this vivid dream, suffice it to say – it was powerful.
This may sound funny, but many years ago, a healer taught me to place a metal paperclip vertically over my third eye with scotch tape to have vivid recall of dreams. It works! I go for long periods without going to bed with a paperclip on my forehead – but I am going to begin again. I suggest you give this exercise a try. When you do, place a paperclip on your forehead before turning out the light, make certain to keep a pen and paper on your bed table. When you awake from a dream – even in the middle of the night; do not turn on a light. Keep your eyes closed. Instead, grab the pen and paper and begin writing key words of your dream. You will be amazed how much more of your dreams you are able to recall.
Dreams can often solve problems in our lives that seem unsolvable in our waking hours.
“Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.” ~ Sigmund Freud
Of course, there are other kinds of dreams. Conscious dreams we have for our life. We all have dreams of great love with a soul-mate, dreams for ourselves, and our children, of health, wealth, and success – even winning the lottery.
What is magical about dreaming that ignites our curiosity so much?
Falling asleep is what is magical. One moment you are awake – the next, you ‘drift’ off to sleep. You may be jolted awake by a sudden sound in your environment, or you may wake to an insistent alarm. Doesn’t it feel luxurious to wake naturally, to stretch and greet the day with a smile on your face?
Dreams are speaking to us – each and every night, whether or not you recall the dream. Nightmares reflect our fears – so they are also important to acknowledge and remember.
There is recent medical research that states that we need to sleep to cleanse our brains of toxins. That makes sense to me. When we are sleep deprived, our physical body feels heavier than usual. Our brain operates in a slower mode. Physical research has proved that sleep deprived drivers are as much a danger as someone under the influence.
Appreciate your sleep. Honor your dreams whether while asleep, or awake, by paying attention to them. Nurture your dreams, and by nurturing your dreams, you are nurturing yourself.
“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” ~ James Dean
Photography – Courtesy of Jussta
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