Legs Signify Ability To Support Yourself

Dear Nancy: I’m in a wheelchair awaiting knee surgery that’s scheduled soon. I’m afraid of this surgery, mainly because of a recurring dream I have had once or twice a year for about 15 years. Could it be a prediction of things to come? I hope not, but as the date for my surgery gets closer, I’m becoming more and more fearful. I pray you can put my fears to rest. Other than suffering from a panic disorder, I’ve been in good health until four years ago, when my knees began to bother me. - Dianne

I’m moving around in a wheelchair. I look down and see that both of my legs have been amputated. I’m unhappy and don’t know why this has happened to me.

Dear Dianne: A dream like this can be very frightening, especially in light of your knee problems. When we talked on the telephone you said this surgery is a common one and that your fears are probably exaggerated by your panic disorder.

Let’s explore the dream as a metaphor of your life. Legs enable us to get around and give us the ability to support ourselves in life. Having strong legs hints of self confidence, good grounding and the ability to move mentally, spiritually or physically. Weak or crippled legs in dreams often signify an inability or unwillingness to stand up for oneself.

When I asked what was happening in your life when these drams began, you said you were having marital difficulties.

Could being in the wheelchair be a metaphor for feeling pushed around? Were you feeling cut off at the knees, that sense of powerlessness that’s often caused by someone’s sharp words or actions?

When did your panic disorder begin? Did you begin having these drams about the same time? Panic is overpowering and can be disabling. Your dreams may be showing you just how handicapped you feel with this physical problem.

Talk to your doctor about your fears regarding this surgery. There’s no need to go into it feeling panic and dread. Also, contact the Anxiety Disorders Association of America to find the help you need.

Reader Tips:

Do you want a deeper understanding of your relationships with others? Are you having trouble with a boss, child or spouse? Your dreams give many insights and clues if you listen. They will often suggest when it’s appropriate to re-evaluate, commit to or move out of a relationship.

Besides your own unconscious feelings, often information about what others are thinking and feeling will surface in a dream. This enables you to see problems from a larger perspective, especially if you’re caught in an ongoing pattern of criticism and blame. New options and solutions often surface in a dream, giving you choices you never thought possible.

In a dream, you may respond in a totally new way to familiar circumstances. Instead of avoiding conflict, confront it. Instead of yelling at your child, listen. Instead of procrastinating and feeling bad about yourself, you might decide that a particular project you’ve been fretting about really isn’t what you want to do.

Welcome your dreams as you would a friendly and supportive guide. It’s all there, every night, for free.