Rambling Friday: Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that, when you woke, it still seemed so real, you felt fear vibrating from the very fabric of your being? Or one that was so delightful, you wished with all your being it was true? I have.

I've had the dream of being chased. The outstretched hand, or pursuing individual so close I could feel his breath on my neck.  Or the one of a bear squeezing me tightly...

I've also had one of the most gorgeous pair of red shoes. When I woke, I yearned for those shoes...










There are all kinds of dreams:

• Dead dreams: Explains itself. Either dreams of dead people or dreams of no value. 
• Pipe dreams: Dreams that are out-of-this-world impossible or nearly that.
• Daydreams: when a person should be pursuing intelligent activities but instead thinks of other things, whether good or bad. Your imagination wanders with awareness decreasing, visiting the past, the future or present. BUT...your consciousness does pull back into your present world.
• Lucid dreams occur when you realize you are dreaming. Sometimes dreamers wake themselves up once they realize that they are only dreaming, while other dreamers cultivate the skill to become an active participant in their own dreams.
• Nightmares:  an individual wakens in a state of fear and panic with a sweating body and racing heart. It seems real, a person is reluctant to return to sleep and it cannot be forgotten. It often forces you to face troubling situations in your life.
• Recurring dreams:  Themes that repeat themselves over weeks, months and even years. Sometimes a person feels puzzled because they do not understand what is going on. Something going on in your life you fail to address. Something you refuse to correct because of the unpleasantness of doing so. 
• Sweet dreams: pleasantness, happiness, joy, wonder

And many more.

Have you had a dream lately? 
What kind of dream?

Wishing you good dreams (and a good night sleep!)

I Can't Change the World

In the Snoopy cartoons, at Christmas time, Charlie Brown is upset at all the commercialism going on. He's so discouraged, that he begins to believe that everything he touches or does, goes bad or wrong.

So what bothers you about our Christmas season? About our celebration?

I can tell you what I fight against:

The stress.

Yeah.

Every year, beginning in November, it starts piling up.

There are (tons of) cards to send.
There are Christmas programs and plays to attend.
There's shopping to do.
There are crowds to avoid.
There's the worry of getting 'just the right thing.'
Traffic is heavy.
Weather is bad.
Dinners to attend, prepare, plan.
Homes to clean.
Decorations to arrange.
Keeping a budget.
Gift exchanges.

And whatever else is on your list.

Do I hate these things?
Never!!

I love them. Enjoy them. Anticipate them coming.

What is it then that causes me to feel Monster Stress attacks?
Too much of a good thing.

Several years ago, I purposed to cut back, to do less, to attend fewer.
And it helped. But it's an ever-encroaching thing to fight back doing that one (or more) thing too much.

I love Christmas. But give me simple. Give me homespun. Quiet. Peaceful. Relaxing. Laughter. Joy. Worship.

That is the secret to a real Christmas. Keeping Christmas in my heart in a way that is meaningful and real to ME.

Merry Christmas!



Quote:
When some folks begin to agree with my opinions, I begin to suspect I'm wrong. --Kin Hubbeard

Blessings