when your teeth fall out

yesterday, i woke up with vivid recollections of the night's dream. it was the second time that i had this particular dream - so detailed and personal to really catch me off guard. the first time i had this dream, i brushed it off as just another bizarre scenario or fantasyland, a possible indication that i may have eaten too much spicy food or drank too much wine. but this second time, i felt compelled to learn what it meant to dream about your teeth falling out. 

in my dream, i was going about my business, when all of a sudden, my teeth started falling out - first, one at a time, then by the bucketload. it wasn't painful. as a matter of fact, i felt some relief. erica in dream world didn't freak out or panic; she was just surprised.

i didn't realize what i had dreamt until the late morning. after a very easy search of "dreams about teeth falling out," i was granted some clarity. as with any dream, there were negative and positive meanings, all subject to the dreamer's interpretation.

the "negatives:"

-- insecurities, especially about personal loss
-- a compromise that is costly to you
-- life changes and growing pains
-- fear of becoming older

the "positives:"

--signs of personal expansion
-- wish or need to nurture yourself more carefully
-- an invitation to explore feelings of personal growth
-- times of renewal and rebirth

with a little self-analysis, it didn't seem illogical to have this particular dream right now. for 10 weeks starting mid-february, i will be taking on a new role at work, committing all my time to orienting a nurse in labor and delivery. the responsibility and energy required to fulfill this role does, in fact, feel like a compromise - compromising my free time, vacation plans, time to just be normal and stress-free. it's a huge step in my professional journey, and naturally, i feel insecure and inadequate for the position. i don't want to lose myself in this process. as i teach and model and support, i want to learn and grow and overcome. and i guess that's where the "positive" meanings come into play.

during these 10 weeks, it will be essential for me to recognize my needs and be intentional with satisfying them. i must seek out my support system and remember that i'm not alone. this is an exciting opportunity, a step forward in my personal growth, and although life is just swell the way it is now, it's time for me to challenge myself. put my big-girl panties on and greet a new day.

ironically, i turn 28 in a couple of weeks. i am beyond thrilled to be where i am at this time in my life, and feel incredibly blessed/freaked-out/relieved that my teeth fell out the way they did: in dream world, for the purpose of shedding light on something deeper.

wish me luck!