The Refried Bean King

The dream this morning takes place at a Mexican food restaurant. The restaurant is having an annual contest. The contest is a refried bean eating competition. I can see the place is filled with guests and competitors. Everyone has a plate of refried beans. The owner has given every visitor a free plate. I watch as people sample what the contestants are going to eat. Some in attendance are wearing costumes. One young man is wearing a Beethoven costume complete with a white wig. It is an intentional pun on the beans being a "musical" fruit.

I can see the reigning champion. He is wearing a white football helmet with a kings crown glued on top. The helmet/crown is awarded to the victor every year. The "Champ" is a heavyset man in his forties. A bell is rung and everyone begins eating. Many people drop out after just one or two plates of beans. The majority of competitors are not serious contenders they are just here for the free food and a t-shirt. The contest quickly narrows down to just two or three people. The "Champ" and "Beethoven" are the final two. "Beethoven"  has slowed down to almost a crawl. Meanwhile, the "Champ" has kept a steady pace and is alternating between his left and right hands to shovel down the beans. Obviously, the reigning bean king is going to get to keep his helmet/crown for another year! I wake up before we get to see him finish.

This dream is a fun and entertaining one. It comes off like some episode on the Food Channel. I'm not sure if we can ascribe a lot of serious and useful meanings to it. I am reminded of the "colourful " personalities I have met at my new job. To have such people in my life, sure makes life anything, but boring. Work is sometimes like a soap opera without commercials. They add a certain zest to what would be otherwise be a mundane environment.

One part of me wants everyone to be treated fairly and to have a conflict-free/drama-free work zone and another just accepts that that is an unrealistic expectation, and I should embrace this crazy mix of assorted nuts, and learn to love them. I am constantly torn between the two extremes. There is not much else we can do.

I am very much an introvert at heart and being in that environment day in and out drains me energetically. It helps to get several days off each week to relax and re-energize. Perhaps, my unconscious is telling me, to appreciate what I am seeing and experience it with a fresh set of eyes.

Sometimes, it is useful to step outside one's self from time to time and witness reality from a different point of view to gain a new perspective. Dreams are often useful in that regard. Most people experience their life thinking that their own existence is the only thing that is real or that can be known. They refuse to experience life outside their own selfish concerns and deny the paranormal or the supernatural realities around them. They are the center of their own universe. In my view, I think, this is a tragic mistake. The true nature of reality is much more interesting and nebulous than they can imagine or consider. Dreams are the vehicle that anyone can use to explore that greater reality. I know my life has been richer for having been open and willing to learn, and investigate. Sadly, I think, too many people are missing out.

A small part of what I try to do with these blogs is try to open people's eyes to the possibilities. I know a majority of people will laugh at what I have to share. I just hope I can find one or two kindred spirits that might take my experiences to heart and gain something from what I have learned on my journey.