Dream 
by B Johnston 
March 8, 2007

A retired friend of mine has recurring dreams about missing a train because he can’t find the right track or about losing luggage or an important key. I’m not in the business of interpreting, but it is clear that what those dreams have in common is panicked seeking. “Am I on the right track? Am I ready? Where’s my stuff? Will I get in the door?” Such dreams are common, especially in life’s later years, and yet they are profound. It is so clearly the spirit speaking…asking you to consider, with your heart, whether you truly have what you need…whispering a reminder that you came here for a reason and that it might be time to check your course. Someone told me that the task of our maturity is to get to peace, to resolution and I think that one way we can do that is to re-connect with that child inside…to listen to the wisdom of the child, which is the wisdom of the spirit. The child that lives inside you is the one who’s still really connected to spirit, creation, whatever you want to call it. We’re born knowing the truth. We are born in faith and hope and perfection…its our nature. It is this world and literally this culture that teaches us to fear…to believe we are less than perfect, less than ready, less, always, than we need to be. 

You can begin by just closing your eyes imagining the child you were. Mine always enters stage left, rolling across the floor in a plaid skirt and scuff-toed shoes. She is sometimes somber but most often grinning, delighted and a mess. My friend’s impish inner child wears glasses and smokes a pretend pipe. Your task is to invite your inner child to appear and then to have a conversation about what the child needs. Maybe its just reassurance that you’re going to ask your heart the questions you need to…to consider where you’re at and how you want this next portion of your life to be. Do you need the lost baggage? Is there something important missing? Or are you whole, without it? Try not to censor the answers…try just to listen to the child of your heart. The answers are often simple but the wisdom in them is powerful and profound. I usually save my sermons for myself…but this one is too important to keep. We are all on a journey. If we don’t acknowledge that, it is lonely and frightening, indeed. I want to encourage you to listen to your heart’s message…. Maybe you need to dance more or to sit under a tree. Maybe you need to be more careful…or less. Who knows? 
You do.

copyright © 2007 B Johnston

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