Hey Everyone,

I'm new to this forum, but I'm glad I found it. I've had an off and on interest in lucid dreams since childhood, though now it is stronger than ever.

As a young child I used to lucid dream on a regular basis, I thought it was something everyone did. I remember I could wake myself up at will by closing my eyes and squeezing my fists really tight, though in retrospect I think that worked because I believed it would.

I think I got a little egotistical about the ability as a kid and I remember trying to wake myself up and I kept on having false awakenings in what seemed to be my house, but small things were different and there was a negative vibe.

After that experience I stopped having regular lucid dreams. Throughout the years I would have occasional ones. My interest would come and go because I never worked hard enough to develop the skill that used to come without effort.

I've also had a handful of terrifying sleep paralysis experiences, as well as the sensation of falling and being able to see through my eye lids.

A week ago today my beloved cat Molly passed away and it has ignited a drive in me to lucid dream again so that I can hold her once again. Regardless if it is her or a part of my sub conscious, I believe it is at least a part of her that lives in my heart.

I ordered a handmade "Cat and mouse" design Dreamcatcher off ebay. I don't necessarily believe they hold some power, but I am adding some of her fur I kept to it and I believe seeing it will help me associate dreaming with her.

I had what was either a WILD or OBE the other night. I was laying in bed with my laptop beside me playing a LaBerge interview off Coast to Coast in the background.

I lay there with my eyes close and my mind seems to transition I feel myself leaving my room in the basement and floating down from the ceiling into my living room. I am fully conscious and aware that I am dreaming. However everything is kind of dark and dusty looking. I her noises but can't make them out. It also feels like my cat is by my feet but I can't see her. I got a little scared and wanted to wake up. I then felt myself floating back up and then I awoke.

I've created a dream journal, but I have to get into the habit of using it. I wake up with just fragments and think its not worth recording, but then regret not doing so. I've been doing regular reality checks though. I also smoke pot regularly, so I know I'm going to have to cut back to increase my REM sleep.

Anyway, I'm very glad to be here and look forward to sharing.