Sunday, January 31, 2010

Beautiful Dreamer

Dreams are illustrations from the book
your soul is writing about you.
~ Marsha Norman
Dreamweaver © 2008 by Melissa Johnson.
Once while traveling in Brazil, I was approached by an elderly woman in the town of Ipanema. She grabbed my arm and began wrapping my wrist with a pink ribbon inscribed in Portuguese. I had no clue what the words meant, but I couldn’t ignore her urgency. She looked deep into my eyes and spoke in hurried, exaggerated tones, demanding something of me.
Sensing my confusion, a local bystander explained that the woman wanted me to make a wish. I love a good wish! So I closed my eyes and silently wished with all my might that the vision I held of my best life would come true.
She tied a knot in the pink bracelet, urging me to make a second wish, then a third. Each time she tied another knot in the wrist band, I closed my eyes, trying desperately to think of a different wish so as to maximize my wish potential, but all I could summon was a repeated prayer that my greatest dreams would come true.
After tying three knots, the wish-granting lady rambled some long, deliberate admonition, and in a flash she was gone. Again, my benevolent bystander translated her warning: I was not to take off the ribbon. It must come off on its own. If I removed it myself, my wishes would not come true and I would have bad luck. He also told me that the last time a similar band had been tied around his wrist it took more than two years for the ribbon to wear thin and fall off on its own. Great! Two years, I thought. This neon, hot pink thing clashes with most of my wardrobe.
Then one night about a month later, while lounging around the fire with some friends, my pink wrist-band became the topic of conversation. They wanted to know why I was wearing it and what it meant. I told them the story and, though not one for superstition, I joked about how I dared not remove the bracelet lest I destroy my wish.
One of the guys appeared to be napping throughout this conversation; however, when I finished my story, he jumped from his chair in one swift movement—grabbing a knife from the kitchen counter in one hand and my wristband in the other—and cut the damned thing off! But what happened next astounded me even more: Defiantly, he shoved the ribbon in his mouth, chewed on it for a minute, spit it out, and then dropped it down his pants. Then he flopped back down in his chair to resume his nap, mumbling something about “stupid visions” and “bad luck.”
Keep away from people who try to
belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that,
but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great.
~Mark Twain
It was all very dramatic. And all I could do was watch in horrified amazement as my sincere wish to fulfill my highest vision was chewed on, spit out, and shoved down this guy’s pants. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But I vowed then and there that I would never let someone destroy the vision I held for my life—literally or metaphorically—and I promised myself to be more discerning when choosing my friends.
The moral of the story:  Your dreams are your own. Safeguard them and never surrender your vision to the reckless disregard of others.

Points to Ponder:
As we move deeper into this new decade, into this new year, and into another month of possibility, ask yourself:

1.  Have I been true to my goals and dreams? Do I even know what they are?

2.  Is it possible that the comments or opinions of others have jaded the vision I hold for my life, or my belief in what is possible?

3.  Have I denied some aspect of myself that longs for expression?

4.  What can I do today, no matter how small, that will move me one step closer to the fulfillment of my dreams?

Remember, your greatest desires plant seeds of thought deep within your mind that, when cultivated by the imagination and nurtured with unwavering belief, grow the vision of your soul. Open your eyes. See with unlimited vision. Free your mind. Do one thing every day that supports your desires. Be willing to correct your course as you learn new information and move through obstacles.  And watch as your garden grows.

By Melissa Johnson

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow – so loved this, Melissa – I just love your writing! I needed to hear this. Have a wonderful day and if you don’t mind, say an extra prayer for me – I have a very special intention. Thanks much! Hugs, M

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful. And you are beautiful.
My garden is budding and my cup is runneth-ing over!

JAJ

Flora said...

Hi, Melissa. I LOVE this one! And the self-questions at the end are right-on. I think I remember seeing your painting before. It is perfect for this article. I am proud of you. Love, MOM

Kimberly A. Bendillo said...

Beautiful, Melissa! I needed this today--really good stuff, thanks for sharing your dreams and visions--there are enough to go around ;)

Kim

Unknown said...

Yes - this is an area I've given some thought to lately. I SO love the outcast and weird but sometimes they aren't so good for me. :) I need to be more intentional in the choosing of friends. Thanks for the reminder. The questions @ the end reminded me that you taught as a professor. Good questios and great story to illustrate your thoughts. :) -Jenna

Melissa Hopkins said...

Thanks everyone for weighing in with your comments on the blog and in private e-mails to me. I appreciate all of you for reading and contemplating . . . Love and well wishes to you all! xo