Spontaneous Ld's

Greetings everyone! I have enjoyed reading the many interesting and thoughtful discussions ongoing here. I wanted to share my experiences with LD so far in my life. I have never gone about an organized attempt at having LDs, but have spontaneously had 3-4 in my life that I remember. My first recollection of an LD was when I was a child of about 5-6. I used to have vivid nightmares that would leave me rather terrified of the sleep realm. On one final occasion, though, I realized in the dream that it WAS a dream, and that I held power over the "monsters" that were tormenting me. I immediately rendered them ineffective and from that point on have had very few nightmares to speak of.

My next recollection of an LD did not come until my mid-20s. At that time, I believe I had heard of and read about lucid dreaming, but had not made any serious attempts at LDing. The only thing I recall about the dream is realizing that I was dreaming, feeling a sense of euphoria, and then immediately deciding to fly, which I did. The flying was amazing, but I became too excited and awoke from the dream. I enjoyed the experience, but did not at the time set about to recreate it.

A few years later I again spontaneously "awoke" in the dream and, as before, immediately attempted to fly. I remember it was more difficult this time. I got airborne, a bit, but then was pulled to the ground. It was almost as if the bounds of reality were being imposed upon me. I then remember getting distracted and then the dream fading much to my dismay. I wanted to continue the flight and explore the boundaries of the LD, such as there are.

I recall one other spontaneous LD again a few years later that quickly ended in my waking due, I guess, to excitement of the realization.

Now, in my mid-30s, I "Stumbled" on this site and am making a vow to more rigorously pursue LDs.

For anyone who has made it this far, a couple questions: does the foregoing seem to indicate that I have some inherent quality that will help me to advance at LDing or is my experience fairly common?

And, for those who are very adept at LDing, does the LD experience enhance your waking life or detract from it, i.e., do you find the LD's more interesting, challenging, etc. than your real life and find yourself being fulfilled only in LD or is there some synergistic relationship between LDs and waking life?

Thanks, and sweet dreams.

To sleep! perchance to dream:--ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil . . . ?