Nightmares-- Gift or Curse?

[Chainsaw Kitten]

When I was younger nightmares were just otherwordly and extremely frightening for me. Needless to say, I've had many. Most of the dreams I have are quite creepy, though abstract. Well, I'm not sure for exactly what reasons the mind projects these horrifying images, however I'm guessing it's basically to alert oneself. This can be extremely redeeming. Problem is, I've had so many in the past that they don't really scare me anymore or alert me in the slightest. They're so casual that I've gotten used to them. Now, I'm really not sure if this is a good or bad thing.. or whether this is all down to personal opinion. Discuss.

[Astromancer]

I think you might be turning evil.

[Chainsaw Kitten]

Ooooh ooooh. When do I grow my horns? I want it to go juuuust like in Fable.

[Astromancer]

No wait, you've been playing too many evil video-games. You should play girly games like Barbie Doll or The Sims to solve this problem. Alternatively, you could do what other girls do and just play-act the sweet pristine-dreaming, clean-minded girl during the day, and let ur evil self flow whence the darkness comes.

[Chainsaw Kitten]

I'm too busy burning barbie dolls and attatching them to fireworks to do that!

[Astromancer]

No, I meant instead of playing Fable. You can keep your other hobbies.

[Loam]

When i was a child, I used to wake in the night constinatly with night mares. I believe the doctors would call it night terrors. I used to get them so often I would pray every night before bed that I wouldn't get one. Eventually these night mares faded away. I haven't had a night mare, like when i was younger, in a very long time. I'm not sure if this is because i've had so many that they no longer phase me, or if i've just stopped having them in general. I'm inclined to believe it's a combination of the both. I used to get dejavu constantly as a teenager. This happened so often that the phenomenon lost it's effect. It was like "Eh, just another dejavu, carrying on." Perhaps this is also what has happened with the night mares. On an interesting note. I have become lucid while in a night mare. This is actually one of my very first lucid experiences. I became contious, and faced the terror in my dream. I then forcefully woke myself up. I suppose my level of how scary things need to be in order to frighten has increased over the years as well.

[wombing]

good or bad? it would depend if you can acheive lucidity easily. if not, you are probably losing a good way to attain it if your nightmares are ho-hum. if lucidity comes easily, it is a matter of whether you want to be scared or not in your dreams. if you do, and can become lucid, it'd be interesting to try some experiments. like get a DC to strap you into a chair, and dictate to yourself that whatever happens, you are unable to break them and escape. then vaguely conjure up some approaching demons or what-have-you on the horizon, and allow them to do their worst (or best?)..

[ravenqueen]

Wow its been a long time since I've been here but I couldn't pass this one up. Nightmares are many things. Yes it can be what you have exposed yourself to in your everyday life. Sometimes it can be things that haunt you from the past. Things you refuse to confront one on one. Things that demand your attention. If you are among the the few it could be warnings from the future. My nightmares have haunted me for years too. I, like you have learned not to be so scared.Once you learn not to be so scared is when you learn to embrace them and try to understand what they are. Keep a Journal or talk to a trusted person about your dreams. Heck post them here. All will help the nightmares whether you fear them or not. You may help others to be more open.