JusJoJan: Wishes and Dreams, MLK’s Words: “I have dream…”

Today’s prompt is the word, “Wish.”

What’s the difference between a wish and a dream?

Making a wish seems somewhat passive, whimsical maybe. Nothing wrong with wishing, though my mom used to say her father used to say, “Wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one gets filled up faster.” (There are other versions.)

A dream seems more long term, deeper, something that calls to be nurtured and nourished.

Martin Luther King had a dream. He worked hard for his dream. He prayed. He envisioned it. He spoke about it. Below is part of his “I Have a Dream” speech:

…Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”

You can read the entire speech here.

Or listen below:

For more on Just Jot January, visit out host, Lind Hill at:

#JusJoJan prompt the 18th – “Wish” | (lindaghill.com)

Blue Wave Dream

 

Can you guess how I got this photo? I’ll tell you later.

 

 

 

We walked across rolling hills of rich earth.

One woman ran far ahead, the other still in sight.

I followed slowly

wiggling my toes into layers of red-brown soil

that turned into golden sand

then into a slope of lush green grass.

My friend Dorothy sat down on a piece of cardboard

And slid down the hill with a smile on her face.

Having no cardboard, I did not want to get grass stains on my white skirt.

So, I danced and skipped down the cool grass,

ran up the next rise, and stood on a hill.

 

The beach below was deserted

except for Dorothy wading

into the royal azure water.

A swell as big as a house

Rose slowly in front of her.

She started swimming up the blue wave

that crested and then stood still,

Huge, peaceful, translucent.

 

I waded into the water

and saw her way up near the top of the wave.

She pointed below her at a hound dog

swimming under the water

like a fish, or a dolphin dog,

completely comfortable paddling

through the liquid blue Jello,

The dog breached occasionally to say hello,
while the giant wave just hung there waiting.

As I swam up the swell, I saw the hound dog

turn into a statue and drift down

to become an underwater memorial

like Christ of the Abyss.

 

Dorothy and I swam in the luxurious blueness

as we watched out feet wave like kelp

And the dog statue, now far below,

faded from sight, though not from memory.

We did not want to see beyond the swell, wanting it to last forever.

But finally, we reached the crest

On the other side a bridge

led back to “civilization.”

We swam that way because we knew it was our destination.

A soft beach rose to meet my feet.

I must have been dawdling

Because my friends were way ahead.

I followed their trail into a building

But didn’t see them.

I  desperately wanted to talk about our experience in the water,

To hold on to it, and know that it had really happened.

 

Then I realized I was in a hospital

walking down a hallway.

Confused, I thought I saw a room with a pool.

but when I looked in I didn’t see a pool,

Just a couch.

It was like a waiting room.

Children with light brown skin

Sat in the corner.

I wanted to tell them a story about a big blue wave

That lifted us up in the air and held us

For a moment when time slowed

And gave us a glimpse of something deeper.

But that’s when my dream ended.

 

 

 

….

 

There have been many times in my life when I dreamed about giant waves that were frightening. This dream was very different. This giant, mysterious wave was patient and peaceful. I enjoyed seeing my friend Dorothy in my dream. The hound dog was Doodle who we lost several months ago. For a beautiful underwater video of  Christ in the Abyss, click here.

 

 

 

 

I created the top photo by turning this bottle upside down and cropping the photo. Colored glass bottles are some of my favorite things. I collect mostly blue bottles, but also amber, green, yellow, and a couple red and purple ones. 

Wet Work Shoes (A Morning Dream)

Photo from Pixabay

 

Scene 1

I gave him one of my sleeping pills,

Something over the counter, relatively benign.

He took it right away instead of waiting.

You’re supposed to wait until bedtime! Spit it out.

He did, but it was not all in one piece.

 

Scene 2

The therapy group would meet downstairs.

But first we stood out in the grass

To discuss our plan.

I looked down at our feet.

Water covered our work shoes.

No one else seemed concerned,

So I didn’t mention it.

The plan was to continue.

…

I slept late this morning which lends it self to remembering dreams. I have no idea who I was with in scene 1. In scene 2, I was with the addiction/mental health counselors who I used to work with. In reality, expanding expectations of computer work became overwhelming and distracted from personal connection. The frequent feeling that I was drowning in paperwork greatly influenced my decision to retire. 30 years was enough. (I love to swim, but do get tired after awhile.)

Others did care, but for various reasons, continued slogging through. One died early.

The dream could apply in general to being in a stressful relationship, or on a bigger scale, to climate change.

We each choose our path.

How do you want to continue?

The Path to Freedom (Inspired by a Morning Dream)

Walking through gray halls

My daughter and I look for a way out

Not yet frantic.

“There goes your old boss,” she says.

“He just went around that corner.”

“He must be presenting at the workshop,” I reply.

I coulda been a presenter.

But I wanted freedom.

 

Up ahead are steel doors.

We push through to the sunlight,

Take a left turn, and climb up out of concrete walls.

 

We can walk on the pavement and risk traffic

Or  walk on the path beside the road

Leading to narrow ledges

Beside dark pools with lily pads.

That wouldn’t be so hard,

knowing we’re good swimmers

In case we fall off.

So we choose the narrow path

Leading us along mountain overlooks

With steep drop offs – scary but beautiful.

We long for the mountains, my daughter and I.

There’s fence to keep us from falling over the edge.

But what if the fence ends?

 

…

(I’ve been fantasizing about a mountain home. Yet I don’t want to have to drive on twisty, steep roads.  Freedom often asks for a certain amount of courage.  Adventure calls!)

 

Stream of Consciousness: Bun, Bungee, Bunch, Bungalow, and Bunk beds

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “bun.” Find a word that contains “bun” or use it as a word all by itself. Have fun!

Bun

Bungee

Bunch

Bungalow

Bunk beds

Those are some words I could use. In no particular order.

Bun – cinnamon buns. Hot cross buns – we’ll have them at church Sunday. I’d prefer them without a lot of frosting. I want to taste the cinnamon. Like dark chocolate which is good for you. Don’t want milk interfering with my chocolate.

Bungee jumping. Never did it. Don’t care if I ever do. But I did enjoy a zip line and wouldn’t mind trying that again. I’m afraid of heights. But zip lining is different, especially if you’re zooming through the trees and you have something to hold on to.

Bunch of stuff to do. Skipped church last night because #1 priority is to get rid of this sinus infection so I will be able to sing in the choir on Sunday and go to the mountains on Monday to see my son and his family. I went and got an antibiotic, something I rarely do, and I’m getting better. Drinking lots of fluids and trying to take it easy and not do any yard work.

Bungalow. That’s my house – my little urban cottage with the urban forest in the back yard. Low carbon footprint. I want to use the money I might some day get from my parents’ house to buy another bungalow in the mountains. With some land. My dream, shall I dare say it, is a healing retreat center in the mountains. Not a big fancy place, a simple, farm like atmosphere where people can come to meditate, quit smoking, relax, and be well. I’d be there more in the warmer months. It’s fun to dream. I’ve been looking at real estate in the Appalachians, though I’m no where ready to buy anything. Too much still to do on my parents’ house. But I like to dream about how I’d furnish a little mountain cabin retreat with

Bunk beds in one of the bedrooms, a futon in the living room,  and the little wooden kitchen table from my parent’s kitchen could go in a mountain retreat kitchen. The chairs don’t even have to match. As long as there are cinnamon buns for breakfast.

Dreaming is fun.

What’s your dream?

As long as I’m dreaming….

 

Compliments of Pixabay

 

For more Streams of Consciousness, visit our host, Linda G. Hill at:

https://lindaghill.com/2018/03/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-30-18/

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

Dream Message

I had a dream about the daughter of my former colleague. Ruthie was the most compassionate and best-loved counselor I’ve ever known. She always made time for clients who needed her in spite of the mountains of paperwork piling up, in spite of the extra hours of overtime, in spite of commendations that we “worked tirelessly,” yet we got plenty tired.

My colleague came down with cancer while serving in the trenches,  helping others fight the monster of addiction. For many months, she continued to work her heart out. But there came a time when the physical pain was too much. She put up a brave fight, but she had to go home. Ruthie died a couple of years ago.

Now, to the dream I had two weeks ago:

I was at a community event organized by Ruthie’s daughter, B.  I saw my former colleague in the background, beaming her proud mama smile at her daughter from across the room. Later, I went up to B, gave her a big hug, and handed her a package of disposable razors. 

After I woke up, I debated about whether I should tell B about the dream. I’ve run into her around town, and we are friends on Facebook. But why would I give her razors?

In spite of the weirdness, I sent B a Facebook message about the dream.  She responded with excitement because she’s in the process of organizing a community event in memory of her mother. She said she knows her mother is happy. And she told me she keeps forgetting to buy razors.

I think I’m supposed to help B with this event. We’re planning to meet later today.

I can still see her mama’s big, beautiful smile.

Believe In Your Dreams

“When your belief in you and your dream is greater than your belief in other people’s opinions, you will have mastered your life.”    __Johnna Parr

I use this quote by Johanna Parr in my upcoming book, Trust the Timing.

For updates, tips, and inspiration, subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter.

Visit Linda G. Hill, our host for One-Liner Wednesday, at

https://lindaghill.com/2017/02/08/one-liner-wednesday-to-pooh-a-villain/

Here are the 1LinerWed rules:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our very cool badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!

When Dreams Fade

This is my offering for the collaborative at Forgotten Meadows inspired by the prompt:

“When Dreams Fade Away.”

(The photo was taken by my friend Caroline in 1972.)

∞

When Dreams Fade, By JoAnne Silvia

When you left me

all those years ago

against your will

and surely against mine,

the dreams in my young heart

faded slowly

into mere echos

of another lifetime.

Four decades later,

after years of doubt

and darkness,

a speck of dream

survived

asleep so deep

it barely breathed.

When the time came

that you found me again,

and you kissed me

by the river at sunset,

and I smelled your neck

just below your ear,

the dream awakened.

Sparks flew because we knew

the dream was more than just alive

and more than just a dream.

© JoAnne Silvia, 2016

You’re Never Too Old

Today’s Stream of Consciousness prompt is, “your/you’re/yore.” Linda Hill, our promptress, directed us to use one, or use them all and to enjoy! I don’t know how many I’ll use. The first thing that popped into my head was a quote by C.S.Lewis that starts out, “You’re never too old….” But I didn’t remember it all, so I looked it up. That’s what the stream of consciousness told me to do, so here it is:

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis, who wrote about the days of yore, or the days of Narnia, that feel like the days of yore. “You are…” is what he wrote. So, I remembered the gist of the message, and it gives me hope. Like Narnia. You’re never too old to imagine Narnia, to imagine talking lions and courageous little animals.

You’re never too old to take a piece of your dream from the days of yore and bring it to life, even if you thought it was dead.

You’re never too old to dance! I love the videos of 90 something year old ladies dancing!

I better start practicing!

You’re never too old to sing a new song, or start a new adventure, even if that adventure is tasting a new food you never tried before. It was just a few years ago that I tried pomegranate seeds for the first time. Now I can’t wait for them to come back in season.

You’re never too old to meditate, or smile in your heart, or be silly. I look forward to being silly as I get old. I’ve spent much of my adult life being serious, with the silly moments few and far between. Being silly is something really old people can get away with. Of course, what is really old gets older all the time. I guess you would be really old if you lived back in the days of yore. Back before they had computers. Hey, that would be me. I better start dancing!

If you’re interested in reading more about the Stream of Consciousness, click on the link to Linda’s blog below:

https://lindaghill.com/2016/08/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-2716/

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

Stepping Stones

Many years ago, in my 20s, I had this dream that I was driving down a narrow road through the woods. I knew water ran beside me -maybe a river – beyond the trees. The road curved to the right as it led out of the woods and disappeared into a large body of water, as if there had been a flood. I found that I was on a tiny peninsula. I stopped the car and got out. Fog enveloped me so that I could only see a few feet in any direction. The water appeared calm and milky. I didn’t want to go back, but I felt unsure, because I couldn’t see the path. I didn’t know how narrow the path was, or how deep the water was on each side of the path. Even if I could have seen the path, I didn’t know where it would take me.

Something must have told me to step forward, out into the water. As I lifted my right foot and moved it forward over the water, a flat, circular stone rose up out of the water directly under my foot. I stepped onto the stone, first with one foot, then the other. Then, I tried it again. As I moved my left foot forward, another grey stepping stone rose out of the pale water, and I stepped on it.

I don’t know what happened after that. Perhaps the lesson was done. As I remember that long ago dream, I remember the lesson that has been presented to me over and over in various ways – that sometimes we have to take  steps in faith. Over the years, my steps, divinely guided when I paid attention, have readied me for a gift of love I could not have imagined. Now it is time to trust that love and that the stepping stones will rise to support me as I prepare to move into a new direction.

In three months, I will make a major change in my life. It’s a little scary, but exciting. It is a change that I believe will improve my mental, emotional and physical health. It will allow more time for creative work, more freedom, and more authenticity for my soul.

The road ahead is becoming clear. I can see it, now. And I know the stepping stones will be there if I need them.

It’s interesting that my daughter is also preparing for a major change in her life that will take her body about three hundred miles away from me. I know it’s not that far, but it’s hard to fully realize that at 22 years of age, my once upon a time baby girl is now a grown woman. It’s a little scary-for me.

I will have faith that the stepping stones will be there for her, too.

(Photos from pixabay.com)