So I recently dreamt I was back in school again. But it wasn't the normal, oh my god I have to take a test dream. Or have you had the ones where you're back in school but you're a full adult and teachers are telling you that you never really passed? I'm sure some wise sage would say that one has something to do with confidence levels. 

At any rate, I dreamt I was back in college as an undergraduate during my first two years when I attended Monroe Community College. I recently went back there only because the Children's Book Festival was being held there. (As a side note, I got to meet Jane Yolen and James Howe! #fanwomaning). So perhaps that's how that time in my life eased its way back into my brain. I haven't been inside that building since I was 22, afterall. 

But let us delve into the symbolism of dreaming about school. According to DreamsCloud.com, there are a number of reasons I could have been dreaming about going back to school. Here are a few reasons:

"Being in school may be bringing you back to a childhood memory that needs to be addressed. The grade you are in may indicate the time of life the dream is set in or the level of maturity you are at in the dream."

"Being in College may be a reference to your college days or a relationship from that period; may represent a lesson to be learned; or it may suggest you are experimenting or trying something new, as college students often do."

I've thought about this for a bit and I've come to this conclusion. I'm a mom and I'm a freelance writer and editor, and I also write fantasy. My life for some years now has been dedicated to my son and my writing, figuring out social media for my author platform, and building our home and family. All good things. But I've felt the need for a long time to be more active in society. I work from home and, while I haven't ever lost my passion completely for issues, I've become apathetic, distracted, too busy with other things. Given the aftermath of a stressful election season and the uncertainty of the next four years, I've felt compelled to be the outspoken me once again. The me who deeply cares about issues that I stayed away from for some time now, too afraid to make a ripple. I had ideals that I wanted to make happen. And that girl became loud in those first years of college, and she's the woman in me now who believes dreams have meaning and acting in the name of human rights always and forever, is a must. 

Continue to dream with me, for hope begins with dreams. 

“Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” ― Oscar Wilde