Chapter 1: Understanding Dreams

Dreams can often be a reflection of our subconscious grappling with unresolved issues from our daily lives. While we sleep, particularly during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase just before waking, our minds conjure up imagery and scenarios that encapsulate our real-life experiences. This process, which can last from 5 to 20 minutes, sometimes leads to recurring dreams. Despite extensive research, scientists remain puzzled about the exact mechanisms and meanings behind our dreams.

In my experience, my dreams tend to be particularly vivid, often revisiting traumatic moments in my life. For example, I frequently dream about the time after my father's passing when I was tasked with clearing out and selling our family home. Additionally, I often find myself dreaming about the warehouse where I previously worked, suggesting that these dreams hold significant messages for me.

Last night brought forth a peculiar dream. I envisioned myself walking along a lengthy road in my hometown in Illinois, near a massive shopping mall. I encountered my brother, my former brother-in-law, and their children—all boys—who were shirtless and donned similar jeans. This scene evoked memories of the film "The Outsiders."

In this dream, they felt like a gang, and I sensed that I didn't belong among them. The underlying message seemed clear: I shouldn't feel guilty for distancing myself from them, especially considering my brother's negative influence and the way others idolize him.

As I continued down the road, I wandered onto a side street. I pondered whether this path would lead me to the other side, symbolizing my relocation to Mexico. Venturing into a neighborhood filled with uniquely designed houses and lush greenery, I found myself welcomed into a home by a family of strangers. The abundance of beans in the dream likely represented my thoughts about Mexico.

Initially, I felt comfortable, but soon a sense of unease took over, urging me to leave. Throughout this journey, I realized I had been barefoot. However, I stumbled upon a pair of my favorite basketball shoes, the Air Jordan 2, and put them on before retracing my steps along that original road—a metaphor for my life’s journey.

One thing I genuinely miss is the freedom to easily find my shoe size in stores. In Mexico, locating a size 12 is a challenge, and if available, they often come at a hefty price.

As I progressed further in my dream, I inadvertently startled a woman who was tending to her flowers. I apologized, and she kindly reassured me. This led me into a man’s apartment, where I curiously opened his fridge. I noticed an issue with the controls, attempted to fix it, but ultimately left it malfunctioning.

This segment of the dream might signify my struggles with diet and weight loss, possibly exacerbated by stress—one reason my wife and I question whether our move to Mexico was the right choice.

While exiting that part of the dream, I discovered an item lying on the road—perhaps football pads or some protective gear. After a moment of contemplation, I discarded it, watching it roll down a hill. This could symbolize shedding an aspect of my identity or protection—perhaps indicating my comfort in my masculinity without needing that safety net.

That was the last thing I recalled before waking. It felt like an exploration, a journey where my subconscious was diligently processing my waking life.

After waking, my wife and I enjoyed coffee and avocado toast, preparing for our upcoming dental appointment for cleanings—something neither of us is particularly looking forward to but is necessary.

Looking ahead, I’m uncertain about our plans. I might delve into some music or research the town we’re considering moving back to in the U.S. We’ve reached out to a real estate agent for inquiries and contacted a moving company to explore the feasibility of returning to the U.S. the same way we arrived in Mexico, especially with our elderly dog in mind.

That's all for this morning. Time to get things moving!