I am to swim in this lake. First a very long “string” of small, round, white buoys are tossed out onto the lake. I am to swim with a couple of other people? on the shore side of the buoys. We wait until the string of buoys adjust itself on the lake (this gives us a path to swim in). I see these red posts (four or five) in the lake to the right. I see another section of the lake beyond the red posts. I realize that that part of the lake is off limits for some reason.
I get into the water and swim. The temperature of the water is comfortable. We pass a cabin on a small island in the middle of the lake. There is a father and a girl of about 10 years old on the porch of the cabin. I think she is about to swim.
The group and I return to the shore. I put the buoys away in a pocket of something I carry. Now the buoys are very small. I will have to swim again, but not today.
Feeling: happy
I worked this dream with Susan and Bryn. Here is what I wrote:
If this were my dream, I am at a point in my life , related to my challenge with Kevin, where I am in a liminal space practicing having good boundaries with him as well as others who can invade my boundaries. I have support from others (fellow swimmers). I throw out the white buoys-a new experience, and they spread out easily. Having boundaries is easier than I thought. The red posts to my right symbolize future practice/learning re my boundaries that I am not ready for yet. I swim and and feel very comfortable and at ease. I notice a girl of about 10 years old on the porch with her father. She is about to swim. Maybe, this is where i am at with setting boundaries-similar to a 10 years old. I remember an incident at AAU swimming when I was 10 years old where the daughter of THE swimming family shamed me in front of the group. In the locker room before practice, her friend slipped and hit her head on a bench. I froze and didn’t say anything. When she shamed me I didn’t speak up for myself and the coach or anyone else did not say anything. At the end of the dream I say I will swim again, but not today. I will practice having boundaries and carry them with me in my bag. Eventually, I will be able to swim in the part of the lake that is off limits. I will become more comfortable being assertive.
A swim dream must be so positive for you. I like how you misspelled buoys as boys (I corrected it for you). Beautiful that you have a safe, white path to swim along. A safe place for your emotions now? And friends to join with you.