Late Night Problem Solving – Sleeping Soundly

Chasing a young boy, a weary mother is desperate to catch him. The back yard alley turns and twists as if it was a labyrinth seen in the lawns of the old English castles. Barbs and thorns poke into the pathway from the walls tearing at her clothes. Tripping over the gnarly roots on her course every attempt to stop him causes more frustration and despair. Just out of reach, so close she can almost touch him he turns a corner and vanishes. Her deepest fear is coming true. Trapped in this maze of pain she is terrified that she can not save him.

Belle wakes up gasping for breath…….. It has all been a dream. A nightmare. She rises to check on the young boy who just started middle school this week. Sleeping, he looks like an angel, content, safe and protected.

She is not the only one who is waking up and not being able to get back to sleep. While dreaming your mind is working out the worries around you. These realistic or bizarre dreams cause feelings of fear, sadness, worry or regret. These dreams may not be about a person in your family. Dreams have different interpretations depending on the situation you are in.

Fear and stress is abundant in our lives because of the floundering economy, family situations and lack of careers options. A resent surrey stated one of the reasons women had trouble staying asleep is frenzied or fearful dreams. Usually about a family member being hurt and nothing could be done to stop it.

If you are experiencing restless nights or fearful dreams that awaken you recognize the interruption may not be literal. There are hundreds of interpretations for this dream.

Belle’s dream about chasing her son could be from the actual situation. She is worry about how her son will maneuver through the maze of stress of a new school, friends and homework. Or the feeling she is always chasing after money that there never seems enough. Or worried about her career and what step to take next.

Or she is processing the chaotic energy of the fears of others. Feelings she picks up on though out her day from going to meeting, talking with friends or just shopping at the grocery store.

Try this the next time you are awakened by a disturbing dream:

- Upon awaking breath deeply.
-Recognize your brain is processing information, feelings and chaotic energy from your day.
-Be grateful that you are part of the solution to these fears by processing them through your dreams.
-Rise and check on your “son”.
- See, feel and connect with the feelings of contentment, safety and protection. After all your brain is processing data to help you figure out and overcome an awkward situation.

Vickie Griffith