Opening Up

I had a dream about riding a train the other night and it was not too hard to figure out that it was the train I will be taking to Chicago in just a few weeks. In the dream, I had found a seat, remarkably in a quiet, uncrowded area of the train, and was sitting alone, deeply engrossed in a book before we left the station.

Before long we had arrived at the first stop on the route. A woman boarded and sat beside me. I was irritated because there were plenty of other open seats and I did not want to be disturbed. She did not seem to notice and just smiled and began to talk to me. I answered her questions curtly, shifted my body to face the window and went back to my book. 

At the next station, a man boarded, sat directly across from me (in one of those horrible backward-facing seats that make me feel sick) and he, too, wanted to talk. Now, I had both of them asking me questions, talking with each other and to me, and I could no longer concentrate on my book, let alone ignore them. 

I put away the book, straightened myself in my seat and began to take an interest in their conversation. Soon I found myself drawn to these people, interested in their stories and wanting to get to know them better. We were laughing and chatting when the train made the next stop and a couple boarded. They were drawn to our little group and joined in our conversation as though we had all been pals for life.

This continued throughout the journey into the city. The train made stop after stop and at each one, someone even more interesting and colorful and vibrant joined our group. We were all fast friends by the time the train pulled into Union Station and we quickly decided to spend most of the weekend together, shopping, dining out, and sightseeing. 

I woke with a positive feeling about the dream, though in real life, I probably would have felt awkward and shy around so many strangers. I laid in bed for quite a while thinking about it and I think it was telling me to be more open to new people and new situations. I have a tendency to shut down and shut out the world when I am anxious, angry or uncertain. The dream reminded me that trying something new and giving others a chance may be exactly what I need and could, in the end, make me happy. 

I am looking forward to finding opportunities to 'put away my book and join in the conversation' around me. And, I am really looking forward to boarding that train.

Comments

[Mary]

What an interesting dream! I have a hunch your interpretation is likely correct. It exciting to think about. My last dream (that I remember) was about NECCO wafers and that they were $15 a roll. *eye roll*

[Kellee]

Wow, what a fascinating dream. I'm really glad you've chosen the steps that you have, so far, towards making this happen! :)