Promises, Promises.....

How in the world can several lessons come out of one little situation. Ok, it ain’t little. Really its not. It’s been building over a couple months and has taken on a snowball affect.

Last night I had a dream that me and a colleague were on an elevator and we pushed the 6th floor which was to go down, but instead of going down it went flying up. At full speed. This morning I was curious. Cause I’m a dreamer. Always have been. Usually I can interpret my dreams without a problem. But not only could I see myself in the dream last night, there were deep distinctive aspects of the dream that touched all of my senses. Like…..I could feel myself moving with the elevator. And I could feel myself pushing the number 6 button. I could hear myself speaking with my colleague. Very weird. So when I got in this morning, I took a little time to do some research about dream interpretations. Wait……I sure hope this ain’t no psychic stuff---lol. I ain’t into any deep cognitive mental Sigmund Freud dig-into-your-subconscious-beneath-the-earth’s-surface-in-the-universe type of stuff--lol. I just want clarity. That’s it. Anyway……..so this is what I found.

Ok, dreaming of an ascending elevator means, in addition to a rise in status and wealth, that one has risen to a higher level of consciousness and is looking at the world from an elevated viewpoint. Dreaming of a colleague signifies ambition, struggle, and competitive nature. Dreaming of the number 6 signifies cooperation, balance, tranquility, perfection, warmth, union, marriage, family, and love. Dreaming of the number 6 also means that one’s mental, emotional, and spiritual states are in harmony. It is also indicative of domestic bliss.

But this is where it gets weird. The colleague that was on the elevator with me in the dream, a 60 year old white male, has no work affiliation with me as far as our work is concerned. He manages one program, and I another. Our programs are so unrelated, and our offices are so far apart. The only time we see each other is when we make a conscious effort to discuss our only common link……..ART. So for him to be in my dream it had to have deep meaning. He and I both have a strong passion for the work of artist, Sam Gilliam. In fact, over the years dude has been very instrumental in teaching me the ropes of buying, selling, and collecting art.

A couple of years ago, my colleague guided me on purchasing my first Sam Gilliam piece. Ok, let me clarify this……..ummm, it wasn’t one of Sam Gilliam’s $20,000 pieces. My colleague has several of those. No, no, no….not me. I’m taking baby steps, so I had to purchase one of the little cheaper pieces. Nevertheless, Sam Gilliam is hanging over my sofa—lol. And I’m pretty proud of it. Anyway, so when I’m huddled in his office, it looks real weird and nobody understands it but us. Cause he and I have a connection that goes very deep. We can discuss art for hours.

In fact, when I came in this morning, right after turning on my computer, I decided to go around to his office to tell him about my dream. That was before I got the interpretation. But as soon as I got there he asked me if I wanted to go to an art gallery up in northwest tomorrow where Gilliam will be displaying one of his pieces. To a new person, it may have sounded as if he asked me on a date---then again NO IT WOULDN’T ;-). But he was so excited about the event that what I had to tell him about my dream was a…..whatever. After I got the interpretation, I sent my colleague an email, but of course he only focused on the wealth part. He’s already reached his highest status here, so he’s very much focused on creating more wealth—lol.

As I pondered on my dream’s interpretation I was amazed at the revelation. I could not believe it. Still can’t. And had I not done what I did, I don’t think I would have dreamed what I dreamt. Actually, I know I wouldn’t have. Cause now I’m at such a different place within mysef. I guess I am maturing—lol.

(Deep breath) Ok last month I slammed the door, yes SLAMMED the door, on a “loved one” basically because I refused to see past my wants, thoughts, and feelings. I can’t even make no excuses on this one other than I went into “Angry Black Woman” mode. Ok, let me correct it….. “Angry Single Black Woman” mode. Cause not only did I slam the door, I locked it and swallowed the key. I kept the pride, but I swallowed the darn key.

Last week, I realized that even though my actions felt good to the flesh---cause I bragged that I took one for the team---it just wouldn’t sit well in my Spirit. Cause for one, the Lord has really been dealing with me about covenants and friendships; sticking it out even when things are unfavorable. And two, cause the Lord has been showing me how to TRULY love. I mean, how can I say that I love somebody and not be patient and kind. Love seeketh not her own, but I was truly looking at me, myself, and I. I’m learning that I have to take a stand on my promises even when the other side seems unclear. Cause if indeed the other is wrong, their actions and decisions will pay for itself. In the meantime, I've got to stay consistent on the Word of God.

Sooooo…….with the counsel of my oldest sister, thank God for a sister who’s been there/done that, I made an abnormal move. But the funny thing is that as I was making my move, my “loved one” was making one too which reflected my pride coming down. Cause it takes a real humble being to knock again after the door has been slammed---lol. This action made me see a totally different person.

Obviously, I ain’t given up too much here---lol, but can I just say that the last couple of days have been sooooo wonderful and freeing and peaceful. Seriously, I can’t tell you what will happen with this situation next year, or tomorrow for that matter, but what I can say is that God is fully in control of this vehicle and I’m allowing Him to drive.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” --Mark 11:25-26