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On weekends, Sheryl relished the opportunity to sleep in, awakening to the tantalizing scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through her home. Stretching lazily, she reached for her phone on the nightstand to send Louise a quick text:
[Sheryl] Just checking in with you.
[Louise] Getting ready to take mom grocery shopping. Will call later.
Heading into the kitchen, Sheryl switched on the radio to set the mood for her household chores. While sorting out her second load of laundry, a text from Dr. Pepper appeared on her screen: "Can’t wait to hear about your lessons. Call me."
Setting the half-folded blankets aside, Sheryl grabbed her notebook, journal, and a cup of coffee, feeling a sense of anticipation akin to her school days, armed with her binder, pens, and pencils, seated eagerly in the front row before class. She was eager to share her newfound knowledge and equally enthusiastic about the prospect of further assignments. After a few rings, Dr. Pepper's voice came through.
"Sheryl, it's been a while. How are you doing?" Pepper inquired.
"Since we last spoke, I've been doing fine. I feel an energy, a connection. It's hard to describe," Sheryl replied, trying to articulate her thoughts.
"You're making perfect sense," Dr. Pepper reassured her.
Sheryl proceeded to update Dr. Pepper on her recent lessons.
"These are all great lessons, from awareness and setting boundaries to reinventing yourself and forgiveness," Dr. Pepper continued, her tone curious. "Which lesson resonated with you the most?”
"Mmmm. Well, they all spoke to me, but I would have to say learning that it takes a willing heart to truly forgive," Sheryl replied after a moment of reflection.
"I like that too," Dr. Pepper agreed. "You sound as though you're still searching for answers. What is it, Sheryl?"
"I know this sounds silly, but I feel like I'm missing something."
"Yes, remember I told you I would teach you things in parts? Well, this is the second part: reigniting your purpose. I will send you a link to a short list of “I am” and “I attract” affirmations. As you read them, write down any images you see or feelings you have," Dr. Pepper explained. "It could be something that you are already doing; you just need to level it up."
Sheryl responded after jotting down the instructions. "What do I do when I see the images?" she asked, intrigued.
"You want to write down everything you see—how you are dressed, what you smell, the surroundings, and include who you are talking to and their position."
"Okay, that's easy."
"Well, it gets harder. The next step is to write down where you are now and the steps you need to get where you want to be. Working the steps is the hard part.”
"I understand that...but... I'm too old to start over," Sheryl's words trailed off.
"Reigniting doesn't mean starting over. It simply means using what you have but revamping it or adding to it," Dr. Pepper clarified.
"Okay, but what about the face of familiarity? When will I learn that lesson?" Sheryl asked with concern.
"Oh, that face is negative energy, and it's in response to your positive energy, which comes from reciting your affirmations and creating a mental picture of your purpose. The closer you get to the true energy source, the Divine, the more the face will pull you down. Remember, the sole purpose of the face of familiarity is to keep you from the energy source and, ultimately, from your purpose," Dr. Pepper cautioned.
"It sounds as though I am fighting against myself," Sheryl chuckled softly.
"Yes, that's exactly what it is. The stronger the vision, the stronger the negative energy. That's why you need to always keep the energy source with you. The one true source, love, will allow you to find your truth," Dr. Pepper affirmed.
Dr. Pepper’s emails with the link and the template for her imagery exercise came through almost instantly. Sheryl printed out the document and placed it on the table with her journal. While the conversation with Dr. Pepper was fresh in her thoughts, Sheryl tried to do her homework while doing the chores.
“I am enough. I attract opportunities,” Sheryl spoke out loud as she placed the pots and pans in the dishwasher. “I see myself providing guidance to others and providing support. I see myself expanding my services.” As Sheryl spoke these words, her chores didn’t seem to be chores. Sheryl’s thoughts carried her to a truth. "I have what I need inside of me to be successful, to love, and to be me. My truth!" Sheryl hurriedly scribbled these words in her journal. Satisfied, she folded the sheet and placed it in her journal. She would finish her homework later that night. With this burst of energy, Sheryl was able to finish most of her chores earlier than expected. Last on the list was replacing the batteries in the smoke alarms. Sheryl switched from her sweatpants to her khaki dockers and a white tee and slipped on her favorite high heel sandals.
Twenty minutes later at the store, Sheryl searched the kiosk for her batteries. "AA batteries," Sheryl mumbled to herself as she stood on her tiptoes searching the top shelf. She fumbled through several batteries. "AA batteries," she continued to mumble.
“So now you’re talking to batteries?” Mike asked teasingly.
“What are you doing here?” Sheryl responded as Mike stretched out to reach the top shelf to grab the batteries.
“Apparently helping you get batteries,” Mike commented as he handed the batteries to Sheryl. As their hands gently touched, Sheryl’s eyes examined Mike’s face and stopped at his alluring auburn eyes. Those eyes seemed to draw her closer.
“My knight in shining armor. How can I thank you?”
“Well, how about that lemonade?”
“Oh yeah, I got the note. How did you know I would buy two bottles?”
“I was hoping you would. It would give me a reason to see you again.”
“Sounds like you’re about to ask me out on a date.”
“Yes, I am. Would you like to go out for dinner?”
“Yes,” Sheryl responded with a hint of disbelief. Mike gave Sheryl his cell number.
“Text me the day you are available and then I’ll text you back with the details.”
On the way home, Sheryl couldn’t stop thinking about what she said. She couldn’t believe how confident she was. Sheryl sent a text to Louise: "Call me when you get this text." Later that afternoon, Louise called.
“Hey, what’s going on with your cryptic message?” Louise asked with concern.
“Nothing much. I just wanted to thank you for putting me in contact with Dr. Pepper.”
“Isn’t she incredible with her levels?”
“Yes, she is. I feel so confident.”
“Good and don’t be surprised when that confidence oozes out. Guys love that.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s how I got a date with Mike.”
“I am so happy for you! How long has it been since you dated?”
“I know it’s been a long time. I’m a little anxious.”
“Speaking of long time, what ever happened to your date with J.J.?”
Sheryl thought about the last time she went out on a date about two months after the divorce. Well, she didn’t know it was a date at the time. She finished a presentation and afterwards, J.J., asked her out for drinks. Jose Juarez, or J.J., member of the board of directors for H.O.P.E Changes Everything, which partners with AARP. “Helping Older People Engage” oversees several high-end senior living facilities. The mission is to keep them engaged by mentoring young professionals and participating in group activities with other centers. The residents volunteer or work in the community, travel, and check off items from “Things to Do in Texas” list such as taking a tour bus to the Texas winery or attending the Hot Air Balloon Festival.
So, when J.J. asked her to meet him for brunch at Ernesto’s, she wore straight legged black slacks, black pumps, with a peach satin blouse, and her matching silver earring and necklace set. She was greeted by a young version of George Clooney, a confident and yet humble businessman and rancher; he wore dark, boot legged jeans that covered his cowboy boots, a crisp white button-down shirt, black jacket. Under his Stetson were soft, dark brown eyes. Sheryl was not surprised he was highlighted in the “40 under 40” in the Successful Entrepreneurs Magazine two years ago. After they ordered drinks, Sheryl took out her booklet and inquired about having his residents mentor her recent graduates. After receiving a puzzled look, Sheryl realized this was a date and not a business meeting and blushed. J.J. quickly put her at ease and continued the conversation about the mentoring program. After brunch he walked her to the car and handed his business card to her. He apologized for any misunderstanding and was looking forward to a real date. He told her to call him when she was ready. She turned over the card to see he had handwritten his personal cell number.
“Louise, I was so embarrassed that day. I wasn’t even thinking about a date.”
“So, what happened?”
“Well, you know me. It was all business, and I was able to get a multi-year contract with them for the mentoring program. But to answer your question, I didn’t follow up with a real date. I wasn’t ready.”
“And the million-dollar question is...drum roll please...are you ready now with Mike?”
“Louise, I don’t know. All I know is that my mouth did the talking before my mind caught up with it and now, I’m going on a date.”
“Okay, I see we are taking baby steps. So, when is the date?
“Well, let’s see the church rented out the Blue Sky trampoline park for their annual lock-in this weekend, so I can make it for Saturday.”
“Sounds like a plan. Just promise me you won’t bring any brochures,” Louise teased, “and call me afterwards with details.”
Later that afternoon, Sheryl completed her homework assignment. She read her book, recited her affirmations, checked off her steps, and read her purpose statement every night. Sheryl attributed her good night’s sleep and feeling refreshed in the morning with her integration of gratitude prayer each night.
