| |
A few days later, Sheryl looked at her phone and to her surprise, there was a text from Dr. Pepper:
[Dr. P] Interested in levels? Call me 8pm your time. Wednesday or Thursday.
[Sheryl] Looking forward to it. How about Wednesday?
[Dr. P] Great! Talk then. Sending a link for video call.
Sheryl grew with excitement as she could hardly wait to talk to this mysterious Dr. Pepper the next day. Ten minutes before the video, Sheryl poured herself a glass of dry white wine and placed it on the dining room table as she opened her laptop to access the video conference call.
“Good evening, Sheryl,” a vibrant British voice greeted her on the screen. Wearing a short, black turtleneck, Dr. Pepper’s distinct facial features could only be described as elegant and striking. Her light brown face carried a sense of regal symmetry, with high cheekbones that lend an air of sophistication. Her captivating green eyes, framed by long, dark lashes adding to their allure. Her nose, refined, with a graceful curve that complemented the rest of her features. Her cocoa painted lips were full and expressive, curved into a warm and welcoming smile. A loose bun of dirty blonde twists sat atop of her head, complementing her delicate leaf-shaped dangles. Her essence resonated with her adventurous spirit and confidence.
“And good morning to you, Dr. Pepper,” Sheryl responded excitedly.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to talk to you,” Dr. Pepper responded.
“Yes, Louise and I were talking about levels, and she encouraged me to reach out to you,” Sheryl answered.
“Well, before we talk about levels, tell me about yourself and what’s going on,” Dr. Pepper inquired while taking mental notes.
“Well, I am recently divorced, and it has me thinking about who I am.”
“Hmmm. I see. Well, who do you think you are so far?”
“So far, I am a divorced, single mother of two. I work full-time, and volunteer.”
“Is that who you are?”
‘Who am I? Didn’t I answer that question. I told her what I did. Is this a trick question?’ Sheryl thought to herself.
“And no, it’s not a trick question,” Dr. Pepper intruded her thoughts with a soft laugh.
“You said what I was thinking, how did you...,”
“Yeah, that’s right. I can read your mind. Nah, I’m teasing. That’s a superpower that I don’t want to have,” Dr. Pepper continued, “It’s a natural response to a question that you don’t really think about.”
“That is true. I keep myself so busy. I think about everything and everyone else but me,” Sheryl reflected on those words.
“On point. You do this as a defense mechanism. Let me ask you a question, Sheryl. Have you experienced a flood of emotions at once, just out of the blue?”
“Yes, that happened recently.”
“Good! Now, we’re getting somewhere.”
“Good?”
“Yes, believe me, it’s good. Your subconscious is ready to take you to the next level, but you must face your past hurts that direct your present behavior. The universe will throw you in similar situations until you learn from your mistake. Only then will you be ready for the next level. The universe is always teaching you lessons.
“Okay now you are dropping some knowledge. I need to write this down.” Sheryl went to the desk to get a pencil and paper and returned to the dining room table. She took a quick sip of her wine before taking notes.
*****
A few hours after an engaging conversation, Sheryl found herself sitting in her cozy living room, her mind swirling with thoughts after her enlightening conversation with Dr. Pepper. She contemplated Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Dr. Pepper's unique perspective on incorporating Divine Love into the equation.
The soft glow of overhead lamps casted a warm, inviting light, bathing the room in a gentle ambiance. The walls were adorned with framed photographs capturing cherished memories of family vacations and special occasions, each one telling a story of love and laughter shared with her teenage children.
The plush sofa and armchairs were arranged in a comfortable seating area, their cushions beckoning Sheryl to sink into their welcoming embrace. A soft, knitted emerald-colored throw blanket draped over the back of the golden colored, sectional sofa, offering a cozy refuge from the chilly evening air. A large, intricately woven gold and brown rug covered the hardwood floor, its rich colors and intricate patterns adding a touch of warmth and elegance to the room. A small oak wood coffee table sat in the center of the seating area where she placed her glass of wine and notepad and tuned to the internet jazz station from her laptop.
As she reclined on her couch, the music drifted her thoughts to replay the conversation in her mind, savoring each word exchanged with Dr. Pepper. The vibrant British accent resonated in her ears, a stark contrast to the mundane routine of her daily life. She remembered the excitement that had coursed through her veins when she received Dr. Pepper's message, the anticipation building as she counted down the hours until their scheduled call.
The memory of their dialogue came flooding back to her, the words dancing across her consciousness like a well-rehearsed play. She recalled the moment Dr. Pepper had asked if she was familiar with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the excitement bubbling within her as she eagerly confirmed her knowledge.
"Yes, that’s the theory that suggests that your lower-level needs must be met before going to the next level," she had responded, her voice tinged with enthusiasm. "You start at the base and are motivated to move towards the top."
Dr. Pepper nodded approvingly, her own excitement palpable even through the phone line. "Good. Now, do you recall the levels?" she had queried, prompting Sheryl to delve deeper into her understanding of the psychological framework.
Their conversation had flowed effortlessly from one topic to the next, each revelation sparking a newfound sense of clarity within Sheryl's mind. She had listened intently as Dr. Pepper elaborated on the concept of Divine Love, her words resonating with a truth she had long looked for but never quite grasped.
"And here is where my levels come into play that Louise was talking about," Dr. Pepper explained, her voice imbued with passion. "You see, I live by a different model. I do agree that you can be motivated to move between levels, you can be in multiple levels simultaneously, and there are degrees within each level. But, regardless of where you are, you must seek and stay with Divine Love."
Sheryl felt a flicker of curiosity ignite within her at Dr. Pepper's words, a newfound eagerness to explore this unconventional approach to self-discovery. She listened intently as she elaborated on the concept of Divine Love, her mind racing to understand the profound implications of such a philosophy.
"But isn’t the self already motivated to move in the levels?" Sheryl probed, her voice laced with skepticism. She couldn't help but wonder how Divine Love fit into the equation, how it could possibly serve as the linchpin that held the entire hierarchy together.
Dr. Pepper chuckled softly, her amusement evident even from miles away. "Yes, you are right. You can be motivated by mistakes in the past. For example, someone who leaves their cheating partner to seek a new relationship only to find out that the new partner is like the previous relationship. Why do you think it happened and what is bound to happen regarding the levels?"
The question lingered in the air, hanging between them like a delicate thread waiting to be unraveled. Sheryl felt a surge of uncertainty wash over her, a nagging doubt that threatened to undermine everything she thought she knew about human nature.
"The person may feel guilty of the divorce, feel a loss of friendship, or even go down another level, maybe a loss of safety in terms of money," Dr. Pepper had explained, her words echoing in Sheryl's mind. "Think of a newly divorced woman who is now down to one income with kids. How long do you think it would take to recover or bounce back?”
Sheryl had felt a lump form in her throat at the mention of divorce, her own pain and regret bubbling to the surface like a dormant volcano ready to erupt. She had struggled to find the words to express the tumult of emotions raging within her, the raw vulnerability of her own experience threatening to overwhelm her fragile facade.
"A long time," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the video conference speaker.
"And why do you think that is, Sheryl?" Dr. Pepper inquired, her voice gentle yet insistent.
"Because she would blame herself and not deal with it or distract herself so that she doesn’t deal with it," Sheryl replied, her words tinged with a bitter resignation.
Dr. Pepper had fallen silent, allowing Sheryl's words to hang in the air like a heavy fog. She had sensed a shift in the conversation, a subtle undercurrent of tension that threatened to unravel the fragile truce they had established.
"Are you okay?" Dr. Pepper inquired, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"Yes, I’m okay," Sheryl replied, her voice wavering slightly. "What you are saying is hitting home."
And with that simple acknowledgment, Sheryl felt a weight lift from her shoulders, a newfound sense of clarity and purpose infusing her every thought and action. She knew in that moment that she was on the cusp of a profound transformation, a journey of self-discovery that would challenge her in ways she had never imagined possible.
"Okay, so I get that," she continued, her voice gaining strength with each word. "Now, how do I get out from under that and what about the dead weight?"
Dr. Pepper chuckled softly, her amusement clear even through the phone line. "Ohhh yes, the dead weight or the face of familiarity," she said.
"That sounds sinister," Sheryl said half-jokingly, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips.
"It is," Dr. Pepper replied, her voice tinged with a seriousness that sent a shiver down Sheryl's spine. "It’s what drags us away from Divine Love and if we don’t recognize it, it will keep us regressed."
As the conversation ended, Sheryl felt a sense of gratitude wash over her, a profound appreciation for the wisdom and insight that Dr. Pepper had shared with her.
"I will give you some homework in parts to understand the process," Dr. Pepper concluded, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Sheryl declared, her voice tinged with excitement and anticipation.
"Okay, here’s part one," Dr. Pepper said, her words hanging in the air like a promise waiting to be fulfilled. "For the next few days, I want you to jot down any lessons you learn. Until then, enjoy the journey. Sheryl picked up her pen and a fresh notebook, and as she began to write, her thoughts flowed onto the page, guided by the newfound clarity she felt stirring within her.
As she flipped through the pages of her notebook, Sheryl felt a sense of hope blossoming within her. She knew that the road ahead would be challenging, filled with ups and downs as she navigated the twists and turns of her own journey towards self-discovery. But with Dr. Pepper's guidance and the power of Divine Love lighting her way, she was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Closing her notebook with a sense of determination, Sheryl took a deep breath and whispered to herself, "I’m ready."
