
Some people dismiss dreams as nonsense, thought patterns running amuck as we sleep because we are not conscious and in a position to control them.
Others believe that a dream is meant to serve a purpose and provide information that our conscious mind is unable to recognize.
Because so many believe that dreams are meant to serve and guide, numerous books, websites, workshops, etc. have been created on the very subject of dream interpretation.
Although I have had some dreams that made no sense whatsoever, and I wouldn't even try to look for a message in them, I have had many insightful dreams that have guided my life profoundly.
Dreams may just be another vehicle through which our intuition speaks to us. I believe that although not all dreams can be analyzed and scrutinized to the point of clearly revealing a message, they should not be written off as mere "hooey" either.
By acting on the feeling a dream gave me, I was able to create a positive impact in the life of another. Here is my story.
Throughout grade school, I had a best friend. After entering college, our paths separated as we pursued our individual goals.
We crossed paths every once in a while in the twenty years following high school, but encounters were few and far between.
About a year ago, I dreamt about my long lost friend. The dream really carried no meaning for me and I dismissed it as my mind recycling old memories.
A couple of nights later, I dreamt of her again. "Gee, that's odd," I thought, "to dream of her twice in one week."
A few days later I had a third dream about her and in this one I sensed she was lost, unhappy, and confused.
I could see that she was pulling away from her husband and looking for something or someone outside of her marriage.
I felt compelled to contact her and one evening, decided to call.
We enjoyed 20 minutes of general chitchat and excitement over how nice it was to connect after so many years.
She expressed that life was good and all was well.
I told her I was glad for her and then shared that I had a series of dreams about her that caused concern and I wanted to make sure she was okay.
Immediately after sharing the purpose of my call, she paused. Then she told me the truth.
She had left her husband after being trapped in a bad marriage for 17 years, and was afraid and unequipped to create a life for herself and her two children.
I offered my help and told her I believed I had dreamed of her for a reason.
I promised her 12 weeks of my undivided support and attention if she agreed to believe in herself and commit to doing what was necessary to create a better life for herself and her children.
The following three months were incredible. She put her heart and soul into making things happen. Although terribly shy all of her life, she worked on increasing her confidence and stepped out of her comfort zone to make contacts, follow leads, and ask for help. She pushed herself beyond her perceived limits.
By the time our 12 weeks were over, she had purchased a new home, accepted many gifts offered by good Samaritans, found a vehicle that worked and had a newfound belief in her own power and potential.
She would have experienced a completely different series of events and outcomes if I had never acted on my dream and made contact with her.
I also grew as a person because of our partnership. I reinforced my conviction in the power of the human spirit and potential.
The next time you have a dream, don't be so quick to dismiss it. Some dreams lead nowhere, that's true. We can't chase every one.
Believe though that dreams can open the door to great opportunities and can be the gateway to wonderful experiences we may not have otherwise discovered.
Laurie Hayes, founder of Where the Heart Is Life Coaching, is a Life Strategy Coach and author of several articles and an e-book designed to promote excitement and inspire action in others to pursue the best life has to offer. To secure a copy of her free e-book, "10 Guidelines for Attraction" visit http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com
AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.
AP - Pink slips are piling higher as companies scramble to cut costs even deeper to survive the country's economic and financial storms.
AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.
AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."
AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.
AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.
AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.
AP - Holy, People's Choice Awards, Batman! "The Dark Knight" soared away with every trophy it was nominated for Wednesday at the 35th annual fan-favorite CBS ceremony. The caped crusader flick won five awards, including favorite cast, superhero, action movie and on-screen matchup for Christian Bale's Batman and the late Heath Ledger's Joker.
AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.
AP - Eric Mangini is the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after being fired by the New York Jets. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea.
Reuters - Israeli warplanes bombed the Gaza Strip on Thursday and tanks pounded Palestinian guerrillas on the ground as U.S. backing for a proposed truce raised expectations of an end to the offensive.
Reuters - A fresh wave of profit warnings and job cuts soured investor sentiment on Thursday after an employment report suggested U.S. job losses in December could be the worst in almost 60 years.
Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, the result of an economic recession that has cut tax receipts and caused massive government bailouts of banks and automakers.
Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.
Reuters - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.
Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff should be jailed for violating a court order by mailing $1 million worth of diamonds, watches and other jewelry to friends and family, U.S. prosecutors told a court on Wednesday.
AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.
AFP - Envoys from Russia and Ukraine go to Brussels on Thursday for emergency EU-brokered talks to resolve a bitter gas fight between the two ex-Soviet giants that has engulfed Europe in a major energy crisis.
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