why we dream

I found this very well written and researched article on dreams, and dreaming on msn. As this is one of my favorite subjects, I put a link to the full article at coo coo newz. I thought the following was important so, in order to remember it, i've posted it below.

...'People often deal with traumatic events through dreams. Tufts University psychiatrist Ernest Hartmann, author of "Dreams and Nightmares,"
... Dreams that mimic the real-life trauma indicate that the patient may be "stuck" in the experience. He thinks one way to help people move past the memory is through an ***"injury rehearsal," where they imagine a more positive scenario. ' and also, Dreaming, like thinking, is what makes us human—whether we're evoking old terrors or imaging new pleasures. "We dream about unfinished business," says Domhoff. And, if we're lucky, we wake up with a little more insight to carry the day.

***Dr. Northrup also suggests for healing to occur, the woman needs to create a new future, one free from the old wounds and patterns of negative influence. this, she sez can be accomplished through imagining her perfect future, without getting all hung up on how to get there from here (for the time being), but to just begin by imagining the future you want (instead of dwelling on fears of future ,hurts or rembrances of past hurts) and be detailed, "don't be afraid to ask of yourself for what you want for yourself." italics mine.