In my life, I have had a couple of recurring dreams. The one I have most often involves me being back in junior high school and forgetting my locker combination. I stand at my locker and stare at the dial. I guess I think that if I stare long enough that the combination will come to me and I will be able to get the locker open and proceed to class. This dream has never quite been resolved, because after thirty+ years, I am still unable to remember those darn numbers. I have heard that recurring dreams from junior high or high school mean that you have been placed in a new and/or stressful situation. Makes sense...

Knowing this, I have taken the opportunity on several occasions to evaluate what it is that I might be stressed about and then see if there is something I could do to eliminate that stress or at least feel better about it. I think it helps just knowing that my body and psyche have told me that I am experiencing some stress. I have lived through some very tense situations, both personally and in my work. How you handle pressure will determine if you have actually handled the pressure.

It would be easy to smile and grin through a time of anxiety but that doesn't solve the issue or reduce the amount of high school dreams that would keep occurring.  If I am experiencing a bit of strain, it is best for me to face it head on. To ask the uncomfortable questions, to request the uncomfortable meeting and to just delete the problem by putting it on the table, staring it down and coming up with a resolution or course of action.

My high school dreams are at an all-time low. That doesn't mean I am no longer stressed, but what it does mean is that I am better at evaluating my circumstances and deciphering what I need to do to de-stress or reduce my anxiety. Here's the thing, if the worst thing that comes from my stress is that I cannot recall my locker combo to save my life..., well, I can live with that.

A whole new source of stress showed up in my mailbox last week. I received the invitation to my 30-year high school reunion that will take place next summer. La Serna Lancers, class of 1981 formally invites you to remember how old you are and what you used to look like. I am glad I won't be stowing any books in a locker. Oh, did I fail to mention my other dream? Forgetting to wear underwear and though there is no way anyone could possibly tell, for I am fully dressed, everyone somehow knows and they whisper & stare. You can bet I will be checking twice to make sure I have the right underthings on and in the right places. How easy it is to re-experience that feeling of being sixteen all over again. I guess I could just stifle my gag and just say, "Look out, Britney..."
Oh dear, where is study hall when you need it?

by rayannethorn