Used to remember my dreams better than I do now; so much so that I made a hobby out of trying to interpret their meaning. I don’t always remember my dreams these days, but some dreams I just can’t forget! Like the one I had the other day of me playing volleyball against a real dream team: the Beatles.
Been a big fan of the Beatles since the early 1970’s. I know way too much trivia about them and have many opinions. Absolutely not just a casual fan. So I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised when they make appearances in my dreams. But this was a little different. It was one of those short, vivid dreams you have right before you wake up. Matter of fact, this one DID wake me up!
The Dream: I was playing volleyball with the Beatles. However, it was a very short, one or two volley game. It seemed to be set in a sunny enclosed space, but still on sand (was born, grew up and live in California). I was in shorts and t-shirt, and on the other side of the net, were the Lads. They were dressed in their 1963-1965 suits, huddled all in a row near the back of the court.
No one else was around, just the five of us. Me against them. Maybe some folks milling around outside the space. They seemed friendly and were taking things lightly and not seriously. Paul was the only one making any effort. They were very handsome and charming. I believe I threw the ball to them, and Paul gently hit it back to me.
Unfortunately, I was too far back, not in a good position, so I had to dive for the ball. I hit it, but it went under the net, back in their direction. The kicker is that I actually DID dive for the ball, leaping forward in bed to hit the dream volleyball back to the Beatles. The effort woke me up, temporarily making me sad that the game was over so quickly. I lay back in bed with the faint impression of seeing Paul begin to move toward my bad volley, smiling.
Not the first time a dream woke me up like that, but the first time with the Beatles present. Hoping it’s not the last.
A friend asked me what I thought the dream might mean. I guess I could look at it as simply a lovely fun gift! But it seems obvious that it has something to do with competition. Maybe lighthearted or game-like competition, but still competition. And against formidable opponents whom I may like but will still lose against no matter how hard I try. I falter in the face of their talent and how high up the ladder they are. Maybe they win because they think it’s fun. They were all huddled in a group like one entity. They were often referred to as “the four-headed monster.” Just one amazing, unbeatable living thing.
It was the Paul part of the entity that volleyed back to me. Paul, in the end, was the one who most wanted the group to keep moving forward and to keep producing. He was a driving force in many ways (for good or bad). Maybe he took it too seriously, but maybe he did because the others didn’t or were distracted or something else. People change, circumstances change. Some would say he was the band member with the most talent overall; even a good PR man. And a pretty good egg as a person.
He was smiling, having fun, setting it up so I could have easily returned the ball if I hadn’t been so distracted. Do you think maybe Paul was showing me that, in order to win, I need to have fun? Was that the PR he was trying to get across? To think of competition as just a game and not take it too seriously. Even in the face of an unbeatable foe?
Can I beat a foe with a light heart and a smile? Any foe, inside me or outside of me? Don’t lose myself in the game or in the competition? In life in general? Change can be a positive thing if you keep a good, honest relationship with yourself and others you are close to; is that the unbeatable secret?
It could also represent the many sides of one personality; united we stand divided we fall. They were all dressed alike and huddled close together in my dream. Maybe I should utilize the many aspects of myself in order to accomplish what I want. Maybe I should make sure I honor all aspects of myself; nurture each facet and make sure it has a voice so it can grow and express itself. Maintain a balance; a harmony. It’s okay to pick a part of me to lead with (like the Paul facet), but to keep an ear out for the other voices inside. Maybe lead with another part in different circumstances. Versatility. Adaptability.
I’m a big believer in the idea that any and all characters in a dream represent you or parts of you. Also believe it can mean many things all at one time. Layers!
The Beatles have so much to teach me.
Jackie's Bower 
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