The Mindful Migraine

A while ago, I had a dream. After I wrote it down, I realized it was actually something of a strange allegory.  At the risk of revealing my subconscious to the world, I think it might help others, so I decided to share it here.

First up – THANK YOU to the amazing people who joined me over the weekend for the meet and greet zoom tea parties – it was SO wonderful to spend time with you face-to-face!! Being in the same space (albeit digital) was a really exciting moment for me and reminded me of why this blog is so important in terms of fostering connections. It definitely reignited my commitment to keep writing.

Now – onto my dream!

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There was a lady who owned a healing spa / wellness centre.  The shop was a simple building, but exuded calm, and the lady was always very kind and attentive to her loyal patients.  The lady had two daughters who helped her in the shop, and a son who was busy living a separate life nearby. 

The son felt guilty that he was not very involved in his family’s life, so he purchased two new, expensive, pieces of equipment for the business (they looked like timber wine barrels that could be filled with warm water for people to sit in).  He had the two boxes sent to the shop address and felt very good about himself.  He knew he should visit the shop on the same day the boxes were due to be delivered, so that he could make sure they arrived safely, but also to revel in the enjoyment of seeing them well received. 

Instead, he went to see some celebrities who were appearing in a town parade. 

He stood on the side of the road in a large crowd and waved his flag, applauding the famous couple as they walked by.  In a very short time, they disappeared out of sight and were gone.  So, he called his mother to ask her if she liked the gifts he sent her.  His mother confessed that she was not at the shop; she only took time off working once a year, every year, and this was that time.  Perhaps, she suggested, he should call his sisters at the shop and get feedback from them.

This he did, and was quickly disappointed to hear that his sisters had been as excited as him to see the celebrities.  They had taken the unusual decision to close the shop and were also in town.  He agreed with them that they should all go back to the shop straight away to check on the new boxes.  But, before he hung up, one of his sisters remembered that today was rubbish day.  The sisters had left several boxes (of old files and broken gadgets) on the curb to be collected by the council cleaners.  The sister acknowledged fearfully that it was possible the new boxes might have been mixed up with the old boxes and taken away.

When the siblings arrived together at the shopfront, there were no boxes, old or new, and they all started crying bitter tears, for themselves, their mother, and her beloved shop.

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Ok, so I’m going to give you a bit of insight into what I think is going on.

How about we start with context: I had been back-to-back reading several self-help books, including Joe Dispenza’s 2012 book on “Breaking the habit of being yourself” (I’ll post notes eventually) and the night of the dream, I had just watched “Downtown Abbey The Movie” (which was ridiculous because I hadn’t watched the series so I had no idea what was going on, but there was a central scene to the movie where the royal family is in town and everyone is waving flags as they walk by). 

As strange as it sounds, I think that the Wellness Centre is me, and that the different parts of myself are either on board with helping me heal, or are more half-hearted and busy absconding elsewhere.  I sense that the authors of the books that I have been reading are the celebrities, with their big followings and their ability to grab attention and rev up support. 

I suspect that the core message I took away from the Dispenza book is that you have to ‘throw out the rubbish’ of your old self to make room for a new self.  This arrangement presumably doesn’t sit comfortably with me, and some part of my subconscious worries that there is a risk I’ll throw the baby out with the bathwater, as it were.  But it also sends me a hint about the law of attraction; the sister was pessimistic in predicting that the new boxes might disappear and so they did. All the crying suggests that I’ll grieve any dramatic interventions if I apply them half-heartedly, or clumsily.

Or not.

Who truly knows what the heck is going on in dreams.

Regardless…

For me there were several reminders that I took away from the dream:

Healing is hard.  Healing on a deep level is even harder.

Don’t stop – just be honest with yourself.

Be a patient patient.

There was something about the wine barrels that reminded me of how good things mature over time, and healing might be one of those events we need to sit in longer to benefit more.

Be generous too – give your kindness and attention willingly, and fully, to those who actually deserve it.

And try not to get distracted by shiny, popular things that might steal your energy and purpose.

If you want to be a cheerleader, do it for yourself and your loved ones, the celebrities will be OK without you.

Recognize that transformational change comes with gains and losses.

And remember that when it comes to personal growth – clearing space by removing the things that no longer serve you is just as important as gaining new skills or items.

Lots to think about.

Take care taking care people,

Best wishes, Linda x

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PS – if you think there’s something to dream-meanings, here are some other posts in which I share my dreams: Dream analysis for migraines / Can nightmares trigger migraines? / Advice from Julius Caesar

PPS – shout out to the 3 lovely lady bloggers who joined me for yesterday’s zoom party – here are your blog sites (in alphabetical order (you’re all equally dear to me)), to help you stay in contact as requested (you make my heart so happy!):

Midwest Mary – Finding the Extraordinary in Ordinary, Everyday Life

Offshoots Photography – Seasons and More

Stella Reddy’s Story – A Journey of Growth, Resilience, and Empowerment