My own personal Nightmare.

I have a re-occurring dream. Since I was about 8 I have had this one dream which would appear every few years or so, and every time it does it scares the hell out of me!
Basically its like an old horror film, all grainy and dark. There's a scene in a laboratory where un-nameable hideous things happen. There's a creature that resembles Frankenstein's monster, and the worst bit for me, there's the being chased. And not just any chasing, I'm being chased by a ruddy great big lion. And as I hide in a giant tyre (don't ask me why there's a tyre there, it just is), and when its about to find me, I wake up. Trust me, it doesn't sound too bad, but it is when you have no escape from it! Its a horrible typical nightmare.
I had this dream again last night, and even at 21 I still got completely freaked out. so much so that I didn't even want to hang my legs over the side of the bed when I got up this morning for fear I would get pulled under.
However, I couldn't help but wonder- what does it actually mean!? especially the lion segment of my own personal hell, seeing as that lasted the longest. I rang up my mum, who has a dream book (for use of emergencies only, obviously). She had a look and this is what it said for lions in dreams...

Lion

To see a lion in your dream, symbolizes great strength, aggression and power. You will overcome your emotions and/or difficulties. As king of the jungle, the lion also represents dignity, royalty, leadership, pride and domination. You have much influence over others. You need to exercise some restraint in your own personal and social life.

To dream that you are attacked by a lion, indicates that you have many obstacles to overcome. You must resist the force that is driving you to self-destruction.

(good old google books meant i didn't have to write it down)

I found this funny really, and strangely enough I took it as a good thing. My life, like everyone elses are full of challenges, and I guess my dreams are representative of that. When I tackle whats in front of me I sleep soundly, when I don't I dream of the lion. Essentially, my head is telling me to sort it out, get things in order, and to not be a coward.
Maybe from now on, when I dream of the terrifying lion, instead of being scared I should take it as an alarm bell. From now on, when that dream rolls in my head I'm going to check my draws for any unpaid bills, see if I'm going to miss a deadline or wonder if a community event needs organising.