Dream Helper

 

I was exhausted from crying. I couldn’t believe I had been sitting on my recliner for over an hour now trying to pull myself together and nothing seemed to work. I was sure that one of the problems was that I was completely alone. I really needed someone to keep me company. That was not going to happen!

Well, I thought to myself, I’m just going to have to continue feeling miserable for as long as it takes. I resigned myself to this fact and just continued to sit in the chair. After another long while, I tried to meditate. I felt myself feeling sleepy and before I knew it, I had fallen into a deep sleep. I started dreaming and this is how the dream unfolded.

I was standing in the middle of a courtyard. It was very cloudy. I could see several over sized houses surrounding the courtyard. One of these very big houses had soft, glowing candles in the windows and the front door was open and had the most exquisite stained glass decorating it.  I felt as if the house was inviting me to enter so I did just that. The main floor was beautifully designed but, for some reason, I was drawn to the center hallway and the expansive steps that led upstairs.

When I reached the upstairs landing, I could see a beautiful tapestry rug on the floor needle pointed with the words Ways to Console Yourself. On each bedroom door were words such as Nature, Spend Time With Friends, Spend time with Son, Watch a Funny TV Show, Go to Church, Read, Take a Long Walk, Go Shopping, Cook Your Favorite Foods, Go to the Beach and Lose Yourself in Your Job.

I was amazed because these were all of the things that I used to console myself when I felt bad. I was so stuck in my own misery earlier that I completely forgot all about the things that console me and make me feel much better.

My dream ended abruptly and I sat straight up in the recliner, feeling wide awake. I immediately started writing down all the things from my dream that made me feel consoled so I wouldn’t forget them. I then promised myself that I would make an effort to get my list of consolations when I was sad, disappointed or upset and choose one of them to help make me feel better.

How unfortunate it was that my dream ended before I got the chance to pick a door and enter a bedroom.

Ellen G.

Feb. 2021