A new life - a scary dream

Our dreams offer the benefit of a higher perspective.  They can help us see the big picture even as it relates to our future.  We have a good example from today’s dreamer:

Dear SMYD,

My new husband and I will be relocating to Arizona soon for his job.  We’re both excited and anxious about such a big change and about moving away from our hometown and our families.  Arizona is about as different as any place could be from our home state of Missouri!  But I keep it positive to balance out his fears.

Here’s my dream:  My husband and I were in Alaska in a stadium that seemed to be made of ice and rock.  We were on one side, and in the center was deep, icy water.  We were there to see whales, my favorite creatures!  So peaceful and wise!  I saw one breach out of the water, but my husband didn’t see it.  I pointed to where it had been, but I knew his eyes weren’t strong enough to make it out. 

Then there was an avalanche and we were carried downward with the snow.  There was also a huge wave of water.  I was concerned for a moment, but I realized that even though we were being carried down and down on the crest of these two powerful forces of nature, we managed to stay upright and stable, ahead of the crush, almost as if we had our feet on the ground.

Then, instead of being at the bottom of a heap of rubble, we wound up in a high place almost like a ski resort.  We were so happy to be on top of it all.

What a weird dream for a newlywed!  Can you help me sort out what it might mean for us?

Signed,

Snow Surfing in Alaska

 

Dear Snow Surfer,

You and your husband are on the brink of big changes in your life!  Your dream seems to be taking a “big picture” view for you, offering peace of mind as you move toward the unknown. 

Your dream begins with the two of you in a “foreign” setting that might be parallel to the way you’re thinking of your new home state.  Alaska presents a complete change of just about every aspect of life, just as you say Arizona will.  The setting you anticipate might not be of ice and snow, but forbidding nevertheless.  And yet, you’re there to see whales, that is, to see perhaps the mostwondrous form of life in a seemingly inhospitable place.  Your dream offers this to you as evidence that you can experience beauty and joy where you least expect it.

Even in the physical and emotional upheaval of your move – the avalanche and giant wave – you and your husband ride out the experience remaining on your feet and stable.  Your dream suggests you’ve made a good marriage Dear Dreamer!  Help your husband enjoy the ride; you’ll wind up on top.

Sweet Dreams to You!

SMYD

sendmeyourdreams@yahoo.com    

 

Tornado in my dream!

It is natural that events of the day find their ways into our nightly dreams.  But keep in mind that your dreams may be seizing the opportunity to point out something in the news that can serve as a metaphor for you.  Consider this dream “torn from the headlines:”

Dear SMYD,

I’m sure you’ve probably heard about all the tornadoes and devastation in Oklahoma.  I’m thankful that my family and friends escaped the terrible losses that so many have endured.  We are all unhurt.  We were actually pretty far out of harm’s way.  But I guess it’s no surprise that I dreamed of the tornadoes and all the damage they’ve done.

In my dream, I return to my neighborhood after the tornadoes have passed through, destroying everything in their path.  There is debris everywhere and people are beginning to pick through what’s left.

Next I see myself sitting on top of a heap of rubble with a shotgun across my lap.  I am stationed there to protect and defend what’s mine, even if it’s been reduced to a bunch of junk.  No one around me seems to want to steal my stuff.  Why would they?  There’s nothing of value there anymore.  In fact, the cops tell everyone to evacuate, but I refuse to go.  I sit there and guard it diligently.

To me, this dream seems to be a pretty clear rehash of the day’s events.  What do you think?

Signed,

Survived the Storm

Dear Survived,

It’s true that the events of our daily lives often provide the images and backdrops of our dreams.  Certainly anything as dramatic and traumatic as a tornado would likely be a key element of any dream that follows for those who lived through such a frightening and life-changing event. 

There are some intriguing components to your dream, though.  Most obvious is the fact that in waking life you weren’t affected by the destruction of the storms.  In fact, you say that the actual storms weren’t a direct threat to you.  But in your dream you’ve sustained damage from a storm of some sort, perhaps an emotional one.  

Your dream’s use of the current situation suggests that you’ve experienced a storm and devastation not from the actual physical storm that passed you by, but from another source.  The emotional damage is reflected by the image of the pile of debris that was once your residence, the place you lived internally, perhaps your sense of self. 

Your dream goes on to suggest that you are protecting something that doesn’t need protection.  You say yourself that the house is destroyed and now without value.  Could it be a façade you maintain or position you’ve taken that you feel you must preserve?  

The people around you present no threat, yet you have established a strong defensive posture.  Your dream points this out to you and asks, “Why?”  Why defend a thing without value?  You are the last one holding onto this front, Dear Dreamer.  Relax and let it go.

Sweet Dreams to You!