Waking From a Dream

This morning I woke up from a dream that I had to share.  I was at a “therapy session” in, what looked like, an empty store in a shopping mall.  It had those crappy plastic chairs and a table in the front of the room for the materials.  Around the room was a group that was deliberate in invitations.  It included a variety of men and women from of all ages, races and religious background as well as sexual preference.  Even though it was my dream, I was neither in the group nor invited, I think I was just watching it from somewhere.  

The exercise everyone had to complete was to go around the room and say one word that described what they wanted in life.  The answer was the same from each, “Acceptance.”  I cannot recall who said it first, but when all of them said it, it struck me.  For instance, I remember vividly the white business man in his mid-30’s and when he said that, people around the room nodded and shook their heads like they got it.  I remember vividly when a lesbian woman said it; her partner held her hand and nodded her head. 

In today’s society, I think people would see the white business man in his 30’s and say, “Where are you not accepted?” and might actually challenge his answer.  I think people would look at the lesbian couple and say, “You have more rights now than ever before…why are you not feeling accepted?” and again, challenge their answer. 

Then, I woke up. 

At 5:23AM, I started to think about how everyone has a place, an event, or time where they do not feel accepted.  Maybe it’s because of their lifestyle, their beliefs, the way the look, the way they carry themselves…but everyone, at some point in their life is not accepted.  Then and there, I decided on my New Year’s resolutions.  I realized what mine must be…to accept people, all people, as they are. 

I like to think that I am pretty accepting of all people now, but my resolution will be about not just passively accepting people, but letting them know they are welcome in my life, in my conversation, in my learning…whatever.  Here’s to a 2016 of moving ahead, continuing to grow and keep going!