My lucid dream story; I hope this qualifies. Over a decade ago I began HIV therapy with [ironically named] Atripla. It was the ‘go-to’ one-pill regimen of the day. The Dr. warned me of reported nightmares, and sure enough the first night I had a doozy. A dark, black dream of being chased by giant tarantulas. I awoke, terrified more by the thought that this was my future. Second night before bed I talked with myself: This is ridiculous! I’m a happy person and I refuse to have nightmares! That night I dreamt I was flying on my own power high above an incredibly beautiful landscape. Majestic purple mountains, luxurious clouds broken by golden sun rays. As I drifted slowly to earth, I was surrounded by bluebirds singing merrily. As I saw the countryside below me come closer, I saw multicolored carpets of flowers that would make any impressionist proud. Then, there below me an Olympic-sized swimming pool surrounded by crowds of cheering people. Cheering for me as I plunged into their pool to much applause. I awoke thrilled that I had conquered my fear; I never had another bad Atripla dream, albeit I had some incredibly complex and intense ones, easily good plots for a short story or two.

Anyway, within brief order better drugs came along and I changed meds to a no-intense-dream variety. But I have never lost the ability to see myself in the dream as dreaming. Not all the time, of course, but not infrequently either.

I would not recommend taking my route to discover lucid dreaming, but it still proves the author's point. The ability to lucid dream is developed when you’re awake. Have that conversation with yourself. You are a happy person; you are entitled to happy dreams. Make them happen. But even upon the occasional bummer, you can almost always wake yourself up, and go back to sleep satisfied that it was only a dream after all.

Dream on!