Or a few.....
Since the day I went down to DC with my Dad to see the Phils play the Nats (for his birthday), I've had this itch. An itch to do something that many baseball fans think about and few only do.....the itch to make my way all over the country and visit every single Major League Baseball Stadium. Yep. It just won't go away.
And while it's a little too late to do something like that THIS summer - my mind is thinking about it for next summer. I LOVE baseball. No joke. I could watch a baseball game every day and be content. Plus the experience of all of the travel and getting to see every stadium - I'd obviously (being the girl that I am) have to make a scrapbook of the journey. I just need to find someone to go with me......maybe this time next summer it'll be a possibility. But even if I don't, I'm not going to let it stop me. If all of the things I've been working toward pan out - I'm definitely going to try and make it happen.
Another secret you ask?.....I feel kind of weird about the fact that I'm turning 30 in exactly two weeks. Does anyone else NOT feel like they're that age? I remember thinking to myself when I was in high school....man, 30 would be old! I better have a family and house by then. My, how our realities don't necessarily live up to our expectations. But you know, I couldn't even imagine having a family and a house by now - especially with the way my life has gone. I would've missed out on all the amazing things I got to do and places I got to travel and friends I got to meet.
I have a friend - a wonderful friend from college - who I reconnected with back in the Fall. We were pretty much inseparable that first semester. He had to transfer to another school the second semester but I always remembered that connection. It's amazing how it only takes a moment to know who one of your soul mates are. And yes, I do believe we have more than one soul mate. He happens to be one of them. I'm pretty sure he always will be. There are people in our lives that we'll always have a certain kind of connection with that all it takes is a glance or a goofy face and they know EXACTLY what you're thinking. He's one of them. But I digress....
That story has a happy ending because he and I found each other again! I'm so lucky to have him in my life! He is a happily married man and I can't wait to meet his wife one day....but the reason I'm telling this particular story is because after all of those years of being apart from each other...when we finally did connect, he couldn't believe I wasn't taken. I told him, "you're tellin' me..." But he didn't mean it in a bad way....and in a way it was nice to hear. It made me feel like there was hope. Not that I've lost my hope in finding someone...but to hear that from someone I hadn't talked to in 12+ years....it was just a good feeling...if that makes sense?
What am I getting at? Well, remember how last summer I mentioned I was just going to have fun and see what happened? And it was an awesome summer! I'm hoping to do the same this year. With all the stresses I've got from the swim team and the crazy July that is coming up - I think I just need to focus on one thing at a time....who cares if I'm turning 30? It's just a number. I certainly don't feel old and I definitely don't look like it!
I have another post for another time about memories...but that can wait...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Dealing with Swim Team Parents
Now that I've been a swim coach for about two years, I think there's quite a few things I've learned in the process. The technical stuff is neither here nor there - but it's the dealing with the parents that has been interesting.
If you're not of the coaching world, or have never played an organized sport growing up, you won't know that there are a variety of parents and athletes out there and that there are a variety of ways to deal with them. If you have or are then you can skip over the rest of this blog post and go read your favorite book :-).
In the last two years I've realized that not only are most parents taller children disguised as adults, but the majority of them believe their child (which is probably a given) is the best thing since sliced bread. *Disclaimer - I am not yet a parent so I don't know what that feeling is like to have a kid but I can pretty much guarantee I am not going to lead my child to believe they are the best at something if they aren't and I am certainly not going to push them to do a sport they don't want to do.
That being said - here's a bit of an insight to the kinds of people I deal with on a regular basis:
There are several kinds of swim team parents:
The Over-Involved - not to be confused with 'The Involved' parent. These parents are the ones that stand on the side of the pool during practice and hover. I like to affectionately call them 'helicopter parents'. These are the parents that think they know everything about the sport and keep themselves at somewhat of a distance from the coach but close enough so that they can see if their child is being given enough attention. The helicopter parents are also the ones that will come up to a coach during practice to ask how their child is doing and talk to the coach about the skills they think their child(ren) need to improve on.
Negatives - they're always there, it can feel like they're judging your coaching skills, they know their kids are 'the best'! They don't always help at meets because they would rather watch their kids and other kids to see what the competition is like.
Positives - their kids are almost always at meets, they rarely miss practice (which can also be a negative), and they are always okay with constructive criticism. They're generally the most receptive of parents I deal with - they just hang around A LOT.
The Involved - these are the parents that are always at practices but just hang out somewhere else and let the coach do their thing. They agree to help at meets, they have a positive attitude and want their kid to improve their swimming.
Negatives: these are the parents that are quick to complain. These kinds of parents might not necessarily be acclimated to the world of swimming and so when they realize that a child should be swimming a lot at swim practice (go figure), they complain that it's making the child too tired. (swim practice + trying hard = tiredness....who knew?) These parents are the ones that will not confront you directly and will find a round about way of telling you how to do your job.
Positives: their kids are usually the ones that are the most receptive to learn. If theses parents have a positive attitude, they'll bring their kids to practices often and encourage more work. If these parents have a negative (I know everything) attitude, they'll most likely quit the team and never return to swimming (or find another coach that doesn't help them do what they're paying for).
The Aloof/Uninvolved - these are the parents that drop their kids off at practice and don't stay -ever. I realize some parents are busy and have to rush around to do things but as a coach, I'm not a babysitter - please don't drop your kids off for two hours thinking it's free babysitting. So when your kid whines and complains at practice and they want to get out and you aren't there to see that there are 10 other kids we're watching - don't come up to me and complain that your daughter or son isn't in the pool. These are also the parents that don't get involved with meets - don't read the emails/notices we send out and are always asking the questions that have already been answered.
Negatives: these kinds of parents are a lot of work and their kids are usually the ones that give us the most trouble in practices. Their lack of presence is usually an indication of their activeness in their child's life. When something goes wrong, they blame the coach instead of taking a look at their child (in this way they have some of the same qualities of the helicopter parents). These are also the parents whose kids usually miss meets and don't tell the coaches.
Positives: they are the complete opposite of helicopter parents in that they aren't hovering. They "trust" that the practices they've dropped them off for are helping and usually coaches only hear from them if the child comes home complaining.
The Apologetic's - these are the parents that know their children are a handful from the get-go and apologize ahead of time. Their kids are usually the ones that either come to practice crying (for whatever reason), swim two laps and realize they're behind and start crying, or just stop at the wall and don't do anything. Their kids are also usually the ones who get out and go to the bathroom and either never return or stay there for an inordinate amount of time which makes you think they're performing some kind of medical surgery in there....for all you know, as a coach, this could be true. These parents are the ones that apologize for their kids not making it to practice/being late - when as coaches all we think about is, "hey, it's your money that's getting wasted". They apologize for everything......
Negatives: There are only so many excuses and only so many times someone can hear "i'm sorry" - leave it at home. Just come to practice knowing the coaches are there to help and we're just happy your kid showed up - even if they're late. These are also the parents that are similar to the uninvolved in that they usually have some reason they can't help out at a meet or that their kid can't come.
Positives: Their concern is genuine. They truly want their child to succeed and don't want it to cause any kind of problem for the coach. They generally have a good attitude toward the sport and let the coach do their thing.
The Know-It-All's: These parents are similar to the Over-Involved in the fact that they feel as though they know everything about the sport of swimming. Usually their child has been swimming for a good number of years and they're probably some of the best swimmers a coach has on the team (with a few exceptions). These parents don't generally hover like the over-involved but they do let their opinion be known to the coach and whoever else will listen to them. Having grown up in a house with a mother who was one of these parents, it's generally more embarrassing for the kid to be scene with this parent than anything else which is why they're typically not at practices. These parents are the ones that "know everything" about stroke technique, practice lengths, etc. They offer suggestions and give examples of the other practices their children have had with other high quality swim clubs. In reality, they're trying to figure out where you, as a coach, stand in relation to the others their kids have had. They want to know if you'll be easier or harder so they can decide if they want their kid to come to your practice or go to a different one. They want to know if you're going to make their kid an Olympic Athlete.....basically.
Negatives: I think it's self-explanatory but these parents are usually the ones that get on coaches nerves the majority of the time. These are the parents that believe they know what's best for their child (rightly so, it is their child) and even though you're the coach and they're paying you money to know what's best for them - it doesn't matter - your opinion is usually not taken into account.
Positives: these are the parents who want the sport to succeed. These parents are usually the first to get involved in fundraisers and who want their children to be the best so they're always at practices.
Dealing with these parents:
Personally - I deal with every parent in the same way - as if they were children and they all need that special attention without sounding condescending or mean. Like I said in the beginning, all these parents are looking for is positive reinforcement for their kids. They appreciate the truth and for those that are a little bit more sensitive, you alter the approach in the conversation. There are definitely some parents that are a little more high maintenance than others - you figure out, over time, how to deal with them.
A good friend and fellow coach once told me that being a coach is more than just coaching a sport - it's being a therapist, a counselor, an instructor/teacher, an enemy, a friend, and a mentor. It's a balance that's hard to manage at first - and I have to say after having only done two years of it so far, it can be a challenge - but when have I ever backed away from a challenge? :-)
If you're not of the coaching world, or have never played an organized sport growing up, you won't know that there are a variety of parents and athletes out there and that there are a variety of ways to deal with them. If you have or are then you can skip over the rest of this blog post and go read your favorite book :-).
In the last two years I've realized that not only are most parents taller children disguised as adults, but the majority of them believe their child (which is probably a given) is the best thing since sliced bread. *Disclaimer - I am not yet a parent so I don't know what that feeling is like to have a kid but I can pretty much guarantee I am not going to lead my child to believe they are the best at something if they aren't and I am certainly not going to push them to do a sport they don't want to do.
That being said - here's a bit of an insight to the kinds of people I deal with on a regular basis:
There are several kinds of swim team parents:
The Over-Involved - not to be confused with 'The Involved' parent. These parents are the ones that stand on the side of the pool during practice and hover. I like to affectionately call them 'helicopter parents'. These are the parents that think they know everything about the sport and keep themselves at somewhat of a distance from the coach but close enough so that they can see if their child is being given enough attention. The helicopter parents are also the ones that will come up to a coach during practice to ask how their child is doing and talk to the coach about the skills they think their child(ren) need to improve on.
Negatives - they're always there, it can feel like they're judging your coaching skills, they know their kids are 'the best'! They don't always help at meets because they would rather watch their kids and other kids to see what the competition is like.
Positives - their kids are almost always at meets, they rarely miss practice (which can also be a negative), and they are always okay with constructive criticism. They're generally the most receptive of parents I deal with - they just hang around A LOT.
The Involved - these are the parents that are always at practices but just hang out somewhere else and let the coach do their thing. They agree to help at meets, they have a positive attitude and want their kid to improve their swimming.
Negatives: these are the parents that are quick to complain. These kinds of parents might not necessarily be acclimated to the world of swimming and so when they realize that a child should be swimming a lot at swim practice (go figure), they complain that it's making the child too tired. (swim practice + trying hard = tiredness....who knew?) These parents are the ones that will not confront you directly and will find a round about way of telling you how to do your job.
Positives: their kids are usually the ones that are the most receptive to learn. If theses parents have a positive attitude, they'll bring their kids to practices often and encourage more work. If these parents have a negative (I know everything) attitude, they'll most likely quit the team and never return to swimming (or find another coach that doesn't help them do what they're paying for).
The Aloof/Uninvolved - these are the parents that drop their kids off at practice and don't stay -ever. I realize some parents are busy and have to rush around to do things but as a coach, I'm not a babysitter - please don't drop your kids off for two hours thinking it's free babysitting. So when your kid whines and complains at practice and they want to get out and you aren't there to see that there are 10 other kids we're watching - don't come up to me and complain that your daughter or son isn't in the pool. These are also the parents that don't get involved with meets - don't read the emails/notices we send out and are always asking the questions that have already been answered.
Negatives: these kinds of parents are a lot of work and their kids are usually the ones that give us the most trouble in practices. Their lack of presence is usually an indication of their activeness in their child's life. When something goes wrong, they blame the coach instead of taking a look at their child (in this way they have some of the same qualities of the helicopter parents). These are also the parents whose kids usually miss meets and don't tell the coaches.
Positives: they are the complete opposite of helicopter parents in that they aren't hovering. They "trust" that the practices they've dropped them off for are helping and usually coaches only hear from them if the child comes home complaining.
The Apologetic's - these are the parents that know their children are a handful from the get-go and apologize ahead of time. Their kids are usually the ones that either come to practice crying (for whatever reason), swim two laps and realize they're behind and start crying, or just stop at the wall and don't do anything. Their kids are also usually the ones who get out and go to the bathroom and either never return or stay there for an inordinate amount of time which makes you think they're performing some kind of medical surgery in there....for all you know, as a coach, this could be true. These parents are the ones that apologize for their kids not making it to practice/being late - when as coaches all we think about is, "hey, it's your money that's getting wasted". They apologize for everything......
Negatives: There are only so many excuses and only so many times someone can hear "i'm sorry" - leave it at home. Just come to practice knowing the coaches are there to help and we're just happy your kid showed up - even if they're late. These are also the parents that are similar to the uninvolved in that they usually have some reason they can't help out at a meet or that their kid can't come.
Positives: Their concern is genuine. They truly want their child to succeed and don't want it to cause any kind of problem for the coach. They generally have a good attitude toward the sport and let the coach do their thing.
The Know-It-All's: These parents are similar to the Over-Involved in the fact that they feel as though they know everything about the sport of swimming. Usually their child has been swimming for a good number of years and they're probably some of the best swimmers a coach has on the team (with a few exceptions). These parents don't generally hover like the over-involved but they do let their opinion be known to the coach and whoever else will listen to them. Having grown up in a house with a mother who was one of these parents, it's generally more embarrassing for the kid to be scene with this parent than anything else which is why they're typically not at practices. These parents are the ones that "know everything" about stroke technique, practice lengths, etc. They offer suggestions and give examples of the other practices their children have had with other high quality swim clubs. In reality, they're trying to figure out where you, as a coach, stand in relation to the others their kids have had. They want to know if you'll be easier or harder so they can decide if they want their kid to come to your practice or go to a different one. They want to know if you're going to make their kid an Olympic Athlete.....basically.
Negatives: I think it's self-explanatory but these parents are usually the ones that get on coaches nerves the majority of the time. These are the parents that believe they know what's best for their child (rightly so, it is their child) and even though you're the coach and they're paying you money to know what's best for them - it doesn't matter - your opinion is usually not taken into account.
Positives: these are the parents who want the sport to succeed. These parents are usually the first to get involved in fundraisers and who want their children to be the best so they're always at practices.
Dealing with these parents:
Personally - I deal with every parent in the same way - as if they were children and they all need that special attention without sounding condescending or mean. Like I said in the beginning, all these parents are looking for is positive reinforcement for their kids. They appreciate the truth and for those that are a little bit more sensitive, you alter the approach in the conversation. There are definitely some parents that are a little more high maintenance than others - you figure out, over time, how to deal with them.
A good friend and fellow coach once told me that being a coach is more than just coaching a sport - it's being a therapist, a counselor, an instructor/teacher, an enemy, a friend, and a mentor. It's a balance that's hard to manage at first - and I have to say after having only done two years of it so far, it can be a challenge - but when have I ever backed away from a challenge? :-)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Less than a month....
In less than a month I'll be 30 years old. Yikesabee! haha - I'm not really that freaked out. Seriously. It's just a number. Despite having been sick last week (which made me feel old), I still feel like I'm 18 energy wise. I figure you're only as old as you feel.
In the mean time, things to think about:
Swim Team started at Mermaid. So far so good...although I have some minor financial issues to deal with...but I think it'll be okay.
I mentioned I was sick last week - Strep Throat. First time I've ever had it so I wasn't sure what it was. Thankgoodness it cleared up (thanks to antibiotics) otherwise the doctor said it would've been Mono. Yikes!
The Golf Outing was a success! I'll know definitely how much we raised tonight. I have a financial meeting to go over the funds.
Socially - I'm looking forward to my birthday celebration on the 10th! So far all of the tickets are spoken for - I think I might even need to buy some extra's.
Physically - since I'm feeling better - I'm taking my exercising up a notch. I ran about 6.5 miles this morning. Slow - 9 min mile pace - but good. I've lost some of my speed since Broad Street. I think the Oddyssey was the beginning of my getting sick....but I guess it's good to take a break. I'll be switching up my regiment starting next week because on Tuesdays and Thursdays the only time I'll have to workout is in the morning or evening after practice....so I'm thinking about going back to my bootcamp group on Tuesday and Thursday but we'll see. That'll require me to get up really early and go to be early (not that it matters because I can't seem to stay up past 10:30 anymore).
I have the option to make some more money this summer at Mermaid - both by teaching lessons and helping manage the pool. It's in addition to coaching which, as it turns out, I probably won't make anything doing that this summer. It'll make me think twice about it next summer. But, if I decide to take on the extra work at Mermaid it probably means I'll have to work a few weekends....which I was looking forward to having to myself again this summer....decisions decisions. I have been looking around for part time work that I could do anywhere (i.e. online/data entry).
It's frustrating having no money. Also - I'll definitely have none when it comes time to student teach because I've decided to pay for it all on my own - which also means I'll have to wait one more year until I can move out....of course that's all pending I get a job right after student teaching. Otherwise....ugh I don't even want to think about it.
But - I suppose the good thing is I have my health back....I'm surrounded by good people. I have some great things ahead of me this summer....lots to look forward to. If nothing, living at home for this amount of time has certainly humbled me......
In the mean time, things to think about:
Swim Team started at Mermaid. So far so good...although I have some minor financial issues to deal with...but I think it'll be okay.
I mentioned I was sick last week - Strep Throat. First time I've ever had it so I wasn't sure what it was. Thankgoodness it cleared up (thanks to antibiotics) otherwise the doctor said it would've been Mono. Yikes!
The Golf Outing was a success! I'll know definitely how much we raised tonight. I have a financial meeting to go over the funds.
Socially - I'm looking forward to my birthday celebration on the 10th! So far all of the tickets are spoken for - I think I might even need to buy some extra's.
Physically - since I'm feeling better - I'm taking my exercising up a notch. I ran about 6.5 miles this morning. Slow - 9 min mile pace - but good. I've lost some of my speed since Broad Street. I think the Oddyssey was the beginning of my getting sick....but I guess it's good to take a break. I'll be switching up my regiment starting next week because on Tuesdays and Thursdays the only time I'll have to workout is in the morning or evening after practice....so I'm thinking about going back to my bootcamp group on Tuesday and Thursday but we'll see. That'll require me to get up really early and go to be early (not that it matters because I can't seem to stay up past 10:30 anymore).
I have the option to make some more money this summer at Mermaid - both by teaching lessons and helping manage the pool. It's in addition to coaching which, as it turns out, I probably won't make anything doing that this summer. It'll make me think twice about it next summer. But, if I decide to take on the extra work at Mermaid it probably means I'll have to work a few weekends....which I was looking forward to having to myself again this summer....decisions decisions. I have been looking around for part time work that I could do anywhere (i.e. online/data entry).
It's frustrating having no money. Also - I'll definitely have none when it comes time to student teach because I've decided to pay for it all on my own - which also means I'll have to wait one more year until I can move out....of course that's all pending I get a job right after student teaching. Otherwise....ugh I don't even want to think about it.
But - I suppose the good thing is I have my health back....I'm surrounded by good people. I have some great things ahead of me this summer....lots to look forward to. If nothing, living at home for this amount of time has certainly humbled me......
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Cleverness divides, intelligence includes.
I like this quote - the one up there, in my subject line. See it? Yup. Think about it. It's from the Eckhart Tolle book I told y'all I was reading. Here's the whole paragraph - just a smidgen of the book - trust me - it's helping me!
"Whenever you are in a negative state, there is something in you that wants the negativity, that perceives it as pleasureable, or that believes it will get you what you want. Otherwise, who would want to hang on to negativity, make themselves and others miserable, and create disease in the body? So, whenever there is negativity in you, if you can be aware at that moment that there is something in you that takes pleasure in it or believes it has a useful purpose, you are becoming aware of the ego directly. The moment this happens, your identity has shifted from ego to awareness. This means the ego is shrinking and awareness is growing.
If in the midst of negativity you are able to realize 'At this moment I am creating suffering for myself' it will be enough to raise you above the limitations of conditioned egoic states and reactions. It will open up infinite possibilities which come to you when there is awareness-other vastly more intelligent ways of dealing with any situation. You will be free to let go of your unhappiness the moment you recognize it as unintelligent. Negativity is not intelligent. It is always of the ego. The ego may be clever, but it is not intelligent. Cleverness pursues its own little aims. Intelligence sees the larger whole in which all things are connected. Cleverness is motivated by self-interest, and it is extremely short-sighted. Most politicians and businesspeople are clever. Very few are intelligent. Whatever is attained through cleverness is short-lived and always turns out to be eventually self-defeating. Cleverness divides; intelligence includes."
Think about that - let it digest. So true, right? Who WANTS to be unhappy? Who WANTS to be negative? No one...and if you do, are you a masochist? Think about the people in your life who are always negative or saying, "Oh this will never work out for me...." and then they attach a because with a silly reason.
I'll admit it. I have these moments and for a long time used to be this negative. I've been working on it for the last 10 years. I think I've gotten better at it but after re-reading this portion of the book I'm like, man...this makes so much sense. Why do I want to be negative? Am I really finding pleasure out of it? No. I'm not. I wasn't. I won't. Onward and upward :-)
"Whenever you are in a negative state, there is something in you that wants the negativity, that perceives it as pleasureable, or that believes it will get you what you want. Otherwise, who would want to hang on to negativity, make themselves and others miserable, and create disease in the body? So, whenever there is negativity in you, if you can be aware at that moment that there is something in you that takes pleasure in it or believes it has a useful purpose, you are becoming aware of the ego directly. The moment this happens, your identity has shifted from ego to awareness. This means the ego is shrinking and awareness is growing.
If in the midst of negativity you are able to realize 'At this moment I am creating suffering for myself' it will be enough to raise you above the limitations of conditioned egoic states and reactions. It will open up infinite possibilities which come to you when there is awareness-other vastly more intelligent ways of dealing with any situation. You will be free to let go of your unhappiness the moment you recognize it as unintelligent. Negativity is not intelligent. It is always of the ego. The ego may be clever, but it is not intelligent. Cleverness pursues its own little aims. Intelligence sees the larger whole in which all things are connected. Cleverness is motivated by self-interest, and it is extremely short-sighted. Most politicians and businesspeople are clever. Very few are intelligent. Whatever is attained through cleverness is short-lived and always turns out to be eventually self-defeating. Cleverness divides; intelligence includes."
Think about that - let it digest. So true, right? Who WANTS to be unhappy? Who WANTS to be negative? No one...and if you do, are you a masochist? Think about the people in your life who are always negative or saying, "Oh this will never work out for me...." and then they attach a because with a silly reason.
I'll admit it. I have these moments and for a long time used to be this negative. I've been working on it for the last 10 years. I think I've gotten better at it but after re-reading this portion of the book I'm like, man...this makes so much sense. Why do I want to be negative? Am I really finding pleasure out of it? No. I'm not. I wasn't. I won't. Onward and upward :-)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wait til you hear about this one....
I've posted in the past about some of the dreams I've had - and that I've looked up the interpretation(s) of those dreams.....I had one last night.....wait til you read what I envisioned in it. It's not a long one...atleast, I only remember a little...but it's enough for me to get some kind of interpretation out of it from a dream dictionary. Here goes:
Wherever I was, I found myself swimming in a meet when suddenly I was just standing in water that seemed to be rising. The water was ice water - I didn't feel the cold but knew it was because I could see the chunks of ice that lie on the surface of lakes when it starts to freeze over. As it was rising around me and I found myself in the middle of nowhere, 6 bullets where shot into me....yeah I know...I have no idea. But SIX?! I don't know where that number came from. I remember looking down and seeing a small amount of blood coming out - thinking there should be more but then (stupidly) thinking that the cold water was preventing me from bleeding out too much. I also remember something overhead appearing and me having the strength to pull myself out of the water (almost like a hanging crunch) and the next thing I knew I was standing around with my entire torso wrapped (like I had just had surgery to remove all the bullets) only to see that there were no scars and I was in no pain. I only realize this because in the dream I went on to the next thing - I think it was to play soccer - and someone made a comment, "weren't you just in surgery"....
I can't remember anything else that goes along with it but isn't that weird? So I did a little dream interpretation research....And as usual you can only look up one word at a time so I did a few searches for "bullet(s)", "water", "ice", and "six". Here's what I found:
Wherever I was, I found myself swimming in a meet when suddenly I was just standing in water that seemed to be rising. The water was ice water - I didn't feel the cold but knew it was because I could see the chunks of ice that lie on the surface of lakes when it starts to freeze over. As it was rising around me and I found myself in the middle of nowhere, 6 bullets where shot into me....yeah I know...I have no idea. But SIX?! I don't know where that number came from. I remember looking down and seeing a small amount of blood coming out - thinking there should be more but then (stupidly) thinking that the cold water was preventing me from bleeding out too much. I also remember something overhead appearing and me having the strength to pull myself out of the water (almost like a hanging crunch) and the next thing I knew I was standing around with my entire torso wrapped (like I had just had surgery to remove all the bullets) only to see that there were no scars and I was in no pain. I only realize this because in the dream I went on to the next thing - I think it was to play soccer - and someone made a comment, "weren't you just in surgery"....
I can't remember anything else that goes along with it but isn't that weird? So I did a little dream interpretation research....And as usual you can only look up one word at a time so I did a few searches for "bullet(s)", "water", "ice", and "six". Here's what I found:
Bullets
To see a bullet or bullets in your dream, indicate anger and aggression directed at you or someone else. You need to be cautious on what you say and do. Your actions and words may easily be misinterpreted. Alternatively, the dream may be telling you that you need to "bite the bullet" and accept some difficult situation.
To dream of being hit by a bullet, suggests that you need to persevere and endure the difficult times.
Water
To see water in your dream, symbolizes your unconscious and your emotional state of mind. Water is the living essence of the psyche and the flow of life energy. It is also symbolic of spirituality, knowledge, healing and refreshment.
To dream that water is rising up in your house, suggests that you are becoming overwhelmed by your emotions.
ICE
To see ice in your dream, suggests that you are lacking a flow of ideas and thoughts. You are not seeing any progress in your life. Alternatively, you may be feeling emotionally paralyzed or rigid. You need to let your feelings be known.
Six
Six is indicative of cooperation, balance, tranquility, perfection, warmth, union, marriage, family, and love. Your mental, emotional, and spiritual states are in harmony. It is also indicative of domestic bliss.
It's all very contradictory if you ask me - some of the things say I'm essentially blocked and others say I'm at peace...so which is it?
Personally I think the dream means that even though I was hit by bullets I was and am still able to go on - I had the strength to remove myself from a bad situation and persevere and the ice and water that surrounded me with my overwhelming emotions - I was able to find the strength to pull myself out of it and recover well. I think in my case the bullets are more of a "bit the bullet" kind of thing because although I am a little frustrated with some people at the moment (guys in particular) I just kind of need to accept that life isn't always going to be like this and to keep going forward.
Of course - there are other dream dictionaries that told me if you dream of being hit by a bullet you should go see a doctor immediately because it means I have some kind of illness. HA! I highly doubt that......
Anyway - so yeah - good times
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