3/10/06

I'm in an African country and staying with a family that consists of the mother, father, teen-age son and daughter and son of the son (a toddler). We are having a meal that is strips of grilled meat and crunchy vegtables that resemble rose peddles. I tell them that the most popular foods in America are beef, chicken and pork. The daughter tells me that they like chicken too. Then we are out on a lake enjoying a leisurly boat ride. I'm thinking that although this is a war-torn country, this part of it is not affected by the war.

Then we are back in the house and three goons come in. They are guards of some kind, hired guns by the regime that runs the country. The son challenges the goons authority. The mother tells the son that he must be slapped by the guard for his lack of respect (probably to try and keep the peace). The guard slaps the son and kicks him to the floor. The other two guards round up the other family members and tell them they must go with them. I'm terrified and run from the house. The toddler is running ahead of me and crying.

end

Have you been hearing about anything related in the news?

The part about the son challenging the guards and being slapped to the floor could have to do with your wanting to change something in your life but being afraid of the consequences.

You may be right about the part in the dream where the son challenges the gaurd. There is anxiety about my financial situation. I'd like to get another place, but money is too tight right now and I worry about falling into a bigger hole.

Looking at it from the viewpoint of the gaurd, my authority is often challenged on the job. I work with a student with special needs who is getting a bit used to me, pushing the buttons so to speak. I don't want to push back to hard, trying to find that right balance between leniency and stern disciple.

I also think the news about Iraq (we here in the U.S. are bombarded with it every night) is having an affect on my psyche.