15 Ways to Get Meaningful Information from Your Dreams



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Dreams can be perplexing, profound, and downright weird.  But if you read last week’s blog post on synchronicity, you know that I’m fascinated with that kind of stuff.  I’m a retired dream therapist, but try to tell that to my unconscious mind!

Over the years I’ve accumulated some dream tips that have really worked for me, and I thought you might find them helpful.  Enough chit-chat!  Here ya go:

1.   Prepare to dream.  Put a journal and a pen on your nightstand, even if you don’t feel like you’re much of a writer.

2.   Establish your intention.  Ask for a dream before you drift off to sleep.  You can do this silently, in case your partner might commit you.

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3.   Remain in the same position you woke up in and record the dream.  Any movement at all will affect your recall.  I don’t completely understand this, but I swear it is true.

4.   When recording your dream, write as fast as you can and do not edit.  I repeat: Do not edit, no matter how ludicrous or offensive the dream seems.  Remember, you are dealing with your unconscious mind.  You are not responsible for its content.

5.   Do not immediately share your dream with anyone.  Let it simmer for awhile.

6.   Honor your dream by spending some time with it, drawing images from it or journaling about it, and respecting it as a sincere communication from your unconscious mind.

7.   It’s ok to share your dream after you’ve spent some time holding it as your own.

8.   If sharing your dream, look for the “aha factor” when someone else comments on what the dream might mean.  Does it spark something in you?  Does it feel right?  Never let anyone else define what your dream means.

9.   Look at your dreams in a sequence.  They are often more interesting that way, and their message(s) will become clearer.  Ask for another dream the following night and see what happens.  Look at dreams in threes.

10. Watch for significant dreams when you are experiencing major life events (i.e. trying to make a big decision, starting a new job, getting married or having a child, getting a divorce or experiencing a traumatic loss).

11. Watch for recurring symbolism in your dreams.  When you see it, pay more attention.



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12. Ask for a solution to your problems in your dreams.  Einstein and Mozart often got great new information this way, and you can too.  I have personally learned things that I am certain I didn’t know before in my dreams.

13. Look at the people in your dreams symbolically; who do they represent?  Get past who you know them to be and see if they are symbolizing a particular trait or concept in the dream.

14. If you don’t understand a dream, don’t worry.  Your unconscious mind will keep repeating the theme until you can grasp it.  Isn’t that cool?

15. Thank your unconscious mind for the information you receive.  It does respond to gratitude and will reward you with greater insights.

      I’ve found that paying attention to my dreams has enriched my life in countless and remarkable ways.  I wish that for you.  Sweet dreams!

I’d love to hear about your own dreaming experiences.  Feel free to comment or email me at the address in my signature below.

Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com

Why Synchronicities Matter

 


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I’ve been spending lots of time lately looking for confirmation that I’m on the right path.  With the confusing economy and all the apparent limits on opportunity, I’m finding myself doing lots of personal and professional evaluating.

In this state of deliberation, I’ve come back to a basic principle that I’ve always found helpful:  If synchronicity shows up, you’re heading in the right direction.

Synchronicity is a term used by Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung to define meaningful chance.  And yes, it’s a bit of an oxymoron.  But if you pay attention, I think you will realize that such occurrences are opportunities to wake up.

Here’s an example:  Last week I had a dream in which the central figure was a drowning lamb.  The next day I was in a café where the featured entrée was lamb chops.  Then, while walking back to my truck in the parking lot, the vehicle next to mine had a stuffed unhappy-looking lamb prominently displayed in the back window.  While I didn’t immediately understand it all, I decided to pay more attention to the images and the dream.

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Jung was not alone in appreciating the importance of synchronicities.  G.K. Chesterton said that coincidences are “spiritual puns.”  Deepak Chopra counts synchronicity as one of two indications that you are heading towards a higher consciousness.  (The other indicator is a lack of worry and general light-heartedness.)

Carlos Castaneda suggests that we be “alert and deliberately waiting” for synchronistic events.  There are times when synchronistic events will almost scream for our attention, but generally it helps if we are open and paying at least a tiny bit of attention.  As American psychotherapist David Richo states: “We do not create our destiny; we participate in its unfolding.  Synchronicity works as a catalyst toward the working out of that destiny.”



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I realize I’m getting a little deep here for a Friday (or any day, for that matter), but I just wanted to share this phenomenon with you.  It has been super helpful in my own life as a marker, next step indicator, and simply as a comfort.  I don’t pretend to always understand it, but I have learned to appreciate it and to pay attention.  To me, synchronicity is spiritual affirmation at its best.  And who couldn’t use a little of that?

Have you experienced any synchronistic events lately?  Would you be open to exploring them?

Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com

 
 
 
 

Noticing: Seeing Things Differently



Photo by Marianne McTighe Smith



With the unofficial arrival of spring in the Deep South (official arrival is this Tuesday), I’ve found that I’m taking time to notice things in a different way.  Suddenly I am obsessed with the shape of trees, for example.  I’ve always been drawn to trees, but now it’s their shapes that have my attention.

I can give you a more practical example.  My husband and I just bought a Honda Odyssey—a minivan (Egad!) we had scarcely noticed before.  Suddenly, we see them everywhere we go; they seem to be coming out of the woodwork.

Photo by Marianne McTighe Smith

These seemingly innocuous thoughts coincide with some reading I’ve been doing that focuses on this simple concept:  You will FIND what you pay attention to.  Looking for prosperity?  Then you will notice opportunity.  Looking for peace? Then you may notice chances to slow down and be content.  Depressed about your desperation?  Then that is what you will see everywhere that you look.



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The simple act of noticing can be life-changing, or at least transformational.  What are you really paying attention to in your life?  Generally, actions seem to follow thoughts, right?

If you can slow down long enough to really notice, what is grabbing your attention? 

Photo by Marianne McTighe Smith

I’d love to hear about what you’re paying attention to these days.  Please feel free to leave a comment.

Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com



Faking My Way Through The Land of Faux

Faux is everywhere!  I’m used to the usual fake stuff:  sweetener, all manner of body parts, celebrity faces, and even plastic personalities.  But lately a new line has been crossed; construction materials have become fake and contractors are trying to convince us that faux is better.

Building materials have always been the last bastion of what is genuine, authentic, and reliable.  And sometimes there are exceptions, but parts and materials are usually true, honorable, and correct.  (Though we won’t get into the building profession here, as I do watch Holmes on Homes.)

Now you can have faux fireplaces, faux stone, faux wood that looks like stone, faux stone that looks like wood, faux bricks, synthetic concrete, composite wood, faux windows, and even faux laminate.  Your yard can sport faux grass, faux gravel, faux pavers, faux decking, a faux firepit, and hybrid plants.

Must everything be made of polyurethane, polyethylene, and copolymers?  I'm still not sure what is wrong with using natural building materials.  Surely here in Middle TN we have enough natural rock to supply the whole country!


Granted, some faux stuff may actually be stronger, easier to clean, and longer-lasting.  But rarely is faux less expensive.  Fake stuff is some of the highest priced stuff around, reflecting the faux economy, I guess.


The older I get the more I want things to be real, ya know?  So all this faux, faux, faux is getting under my craw, craw, craw.  I’m starting to sound like the late Andy Rooney, but my brain is just swamped with faux.  I have no more patience for bogus, baseless, unauthorized unfaithfulness!

That’s my rant for the day, friends.  Just tryin’ to keep it real! J

How do you feel about faux?  I’d love to hear your comments.

Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com

A Dozen Tips for Coping with Unreasonable Deadlines



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Sometimes deadlines imposed by others make us crazy and threaten our sanity.  What to do?  I’ve recently assisted someone in these shoes and thought I’d share our coping mechanisms:

1.   Accept the deadline.  Regardless of how unfair or irrational it is, if it has to be met, we must accept it.  Refusing to accept it only delays the real work, which sets us up to fail.  Commit to the project and embrace the deadline, even if you’d like to blow up the world.

2.   Reorganize your work space before you begin.  All other work on your desk and anything you find distracting must be removed, because you must be able to

3.   Focus and prioritize.  Your unreasonable deadline project is Priority One.  All other projects must be delayed.  Repeat:  All other projects must be delayed.

4.   Stay positive.  You can do this!  I promise, you can!  But first you have to BELIEVE that you can.

5.   Enlist support.  Call on your good friends/colleagues and ASK for help.  I know.  You don’t DO this—EVER!  But do it now.  Check your ego and get some help.  After all, the deadline is totally unreasonable, which sets you up to fail.  You don’t want to fail, do you? 

6.   Accept help with your daily needs.  Let your neighbor pick up carpool, even though it isn’t her turn.  Let your spouse or good friend cook dinner or watch the kids.  Request that your kids take on additional responsibilities so you can focus. 

7.   Adjust your social interactions.    No talking to the boss (or whoever the deadline imposer is) while you’re stressed, fried, and exhausted.  You are probably overly emotional, completely depleted, and unworthy of any serious conversation.  Just avoid it, as it will not serve you.  In fact, just avoid everyone; hole up! 

8.   Stress relief is essential.  Set a timer if you have to, but every hour take five minutes and walk away.  Take deep breaths, stretch, walk to the mailbox, or go play fetch with your dog.  I know, you think you can’t .  But you must.  I promise your productivity will increase and you will find that these brief minutes away were a good investment in the project.

9.   Drink lots of water and eat fresh food.  Ok, now I know you are laughing.  Who has time for fresh food?  Well, remember #5 and #6 and ASK for it.  It may be carrots, celery, an apple or a banana.  But don’t eat junk or preservatives.  Your body needs good fuel, especially when it's in overdrive.

10.  Keep your sense of humor.  When you really want to quit, think of how ridiculous the whole thing is and allow yourself a good belly laugh.

11.  Honor your emotions.  If you can’t laugh, cry.  Hard.  It’s ok and will help you get through it.  Don't pretend you're not angry, stressed, exhausted, or all three.

12.  Reward yourself.  When your deadline is finally met (and it will be), allow yourself to crash.  You will need to regroup and refresh yourself before you can possibly feel human again.  Do whatever makes you feel great; have a glass or two of wine, a couple of beers, get a massage, sleep for 80 hours straight, indulge in your favorite chocolate.  Player's choice!  You certainly deserve some special treatment.



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If you have other favorite methods of coping, I’d love to hear them!  Please feel free to share them in the comments.  And if you're in the throes of an unreasonable deadline, I'm rooting for you!

Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com