"Visit" Dreams

Last week I talked about four different types of dreams.  This week I'd like to talk specifically about visits.

My dad crossed over in 1992.   He "visited" me frequently for about 2-1/2 years afterward.  One time I wasn't even sleeping.  Dad continued to teach me even after death.  We enjoyed being able to still spend time together.  After about 2-1/2 years he apparently moved on because the visits stopped.  I miss seeing him and talking with him, but it's okay.  I know he's doing what he needs to do.  I believe that if I really needed him, he'd be here for me.  But at least for now, we're both doing okay right where we are.

My mother passed away in 2008.  She has visited a few times, but not nearly as much as my dad did.  A little over a month ago though, she came for an interesting visit:

I was in a building that was like a warehouse.  There were long tables with chairs on both sides.  There were beings sitting at those tables.  I saw my brother and a cousin sitting across the table from each other talking.  They both passed away this last year.  I went over and gave my brother a big hug and told him that I loved him.  He laughed while we hugged.  Then I saw my mother a couple of tables away.  I went over to her and it was like everything else in the room disappeared.  We sat, talked and laughed a lot.  We reminisced about our lives together.  After what seemed like hours, I asked her if there was anything I did that really bothered her.  She said no.  Then she said, "Well, when your sisters came to Erie for a visit, you tended to dominate the conversations.  That's about it."  I said, "Yeah, I do talk a lot."  We both had a hardy laugh.  Then she asked me if I had anything else I wanted to say.  I KNEW this was it.  I KNEW she was leaving and I probably wouldn't be seeing her again.  I said, "Just I love you."  As she was leaving I repeated, "Love you, love you, love you, love you, love you."  Then she was gone.

That was the most intense and special visit that I've ever had.  I think to this point she stayed around to make sure we were all okay.  My sister suggested that maybe she was waiting for my brother.  In any case, I know that she has moved on.  As with my dad, I'll miss seeing her and talking with her, but it's okay.  I know she's doing what she needs to do.  I believe that if I really needed her, she'd be here for me.  But at least for  now, we're both doing okay right where we are.

Love,  Paula

Dreams

In my experience, there are four types of dreams:

The first type of dream is what I call the movie dream.  It's the kind where you are not really involved.  You watch what is going on just like you would at a theater - even if you are in it.

The second type of dream is a lucid dream.  This can be like a movie dream except that even though you're sleeping and dreaming, you're aware of what is going on.  You're able to change the dream if you don't like the way it is going.

The third type of dream is the lesson.  Sometimes they are kind of weird, but they're always insightful.  When you wake up, you usually remember most of the dream and you just KNOW there is something important in it.  If you take the time to study the dream, you will probably find out that there is some kind of lesson for you... some sort of message.

The fourth type of dream is what I call a visit.  You are not dreaming ABOUT someone, you're actually visiting WITH them - only in a dream state.  For me, it's always someone who has passed away.  I would imagine that it doesn't have to be someone that has crossed over, but that's always the way it works for me.  So if I write any future blogs about dreams, you'll know what I'm talking about.

How about any of you?  Do you have any other types of dreams?  Share your experiences.  I love this topic and find it really fascinating.

Love,  Paula

Teaching - Learning

I'm going to share something I've observed in life.  No matter how young or old you are, no matter what your education, no matter what your life experiences, you still have something to learn from everyone and everything with whom you come in contact.  Sometimes it's deep, profound learning.  Sometimes it's superficial.  But there's ALWAYS something to be learned.

Also, no matter how young or old you are, no matter what your education, no matter what your life experiences, you still have something to teach everyone and everything with whom you come in contact.  Sometimes it's deep, profound teaching.  Sometimes it's superficial.  But there's ALWAYS something to be taught.

Watching people's reactions to whatever is going on, teaches you something about that person.  Conversely, people learn something about you if they watch your reactions to what's going on around you.  We're ALL constantly learning and teaching, teaching and learning.  It's so interesting.  What a fun way to look at life!

When you're in the grocery line or at the bank or where ever you may be,  watch the people around you.  Observe the looks on their faces.  Notice their body language.  If they look upset, sad, stressed or even happy, see if there is something you can do to make their day a little bit brighter.  Sometimes all it takes is a smile, a laugh or a kind word.  You may make a new friend... or you may never know the change you made in someone's day, attitude or even their life.  You learned from them that they needed uplifted.  You taught them that someone DOES care and that the world isn't such a bad place after all.  And they may have learned from you how to "pay it forward" and do the same for someone else.

Love,  Paula

It's All A Matter Of Perspective

While driving home form work the other day, I saw a woman walking down the street wearing shorts.  It was in the 40s in Erie, Pa. after an extremely cold winter.  This winter we had temperatures as low as -20 degrees with wind chill factors as low as -38 degrees.  So 40 degrees feels REALLY good.

I immediately thought about my son and his girlfriend who live in LA.  They've had 80 degree weather already this year and they certainly haven't had any negative temperatures.  We've "face timed" with them when they've had sweatshirts  and sometimes even blankets on.  We'll ask what the temperature is.  They'll tell us it's really cold... 62 degrees.  To them it IS really cold.  They're used to good weather.  It's LA after all.  For us, that's practically beach weather.. especially after this winter.  It's all a matter of perspective.

I've been going to Weight Watchers and have lost 30 pounds.  I want to lose more, but I think I look pretty darn good.  But for someone meeting me for the first time, I probably look like a heavy woman.  It's all a matter of perspective.

I just turned 63 years old.  Thirty years ago, a 63 year old person was old.  My grandkids probably see me as an old lady.  But I don't feel old.  I feel young, energetic and ready for another 63 years.  It's all a matter of perspective.

I could go on and on with example after example, but my point is we all have different perspectives and different life experiences.  And we only "see" the world from our perspective.  We should try to broaden our perspective and try to be more understanding of other's perspectives.  For example, don't be quick to judge that heavy set woman wearing a short skirt or a two piece bathing suit.  Maybe she was 300 pounds and lost 100 pounds.  To her and her family, she looks like a model.  It's all a matter of perspective.

Don't be quick to judge anyone or anything.  We don't know their story.  We don't know their experience.  We don't know their perspective.  We should try to change OUR perspective.  We should strive to be more inclusive, more loving, more caring. and more compassionate toward others.  We CAN change our world.  It's all a matter of perspective.

Love,  Paula