A while ago, I was listening to the radio on my way to work and they were talking about dreams. According to the radio announcer, the top three types of dreams are: falling, being chased, and being at school as an adult. When I got to work I quizzed the Velsoft sales team (always ready for a distraction/professional development opportunity). Their top two were the same (their third one we won’t talk about).  When I heard World Dream Day was coming up this got me thinking again about dreams.

I’ve always been fascinated by dreams. When I was in university I took a psychology course that talked about dreaming and dreams and realized we don’t really know much about them.

I usually have several dreams a night- many I forget very quickly (if I don’t write it down) but some stay with me and I can still recall them days, months and sometimes years later. I’ve been told that the many dreams you forget quickly are not really that important but the ones that stick with you have a significant meaning that your subconscious is trying to tell you. Warn you.

But what about the meaning of dreams? Some researchers feel they are a way to act out things that we want to do but can’t let ourselves do in real life. Some say that dreams are all about us. Each character in our dreams represents a part of our self. If you think of someone as flighty and impulsive then that is the part of you that they are representing in your dreams.

Of course there are other sorts of dreams: the hopes and dreams we have for our life. These dreams can be all about us or they can be broader. Like many of the people I know, my dreams are in many ways about my family. I picture my children as adults with a smile on their face, with a glow of health and vitality (and maybe a halo). My part is to try and help them to get there. It’s like that at work too, or at least I think it should be. Those we work with have dreams of their own. We don’t always know what those dreams are, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying to help or at least not hinder their dreams.  Treating people honestly and with respect, listening when they ask you for help should be what we do every day.

So, go out and help those you work with to fulfill their dreams — they will help you to reach yours, too. Happy World Dream Day!