If you are a Love & Hip Hop-Atlanta veteran, then, I’m sure you can recall the days in which Stevie J would use the slogan, “Get on the bus!” as an all-or-nothing catchphrase/manipulative tactic towards the women he was entertaining at the time. If you are not familiar with the show, then “the bus” was used as an analogy meant to describe “ You can join him in all his shenanigans or you can stay on the sidelines by yourself”. This is not that, you can miss that bus lol. The bus I’m referring to isn’t filled with shenanigans but with your destiny.
The Dream
I used to have these recurring dreams about missing a school bus, and they first started after completing my master’s degree. So, here’s the dream: I used to live with my grandma from grades 9-11, so the dream would usually involve me getting ready for school at her home. So, as I was getting dressed, I would sporadically peek out the window, just to check and make sure the school bus hadn’t yet arrived.
As I looked, I would see everyone else walking towards the end of the driveway to catch the bus. I can remember I would say to myself, “Oh, I’m good, I still have about 5-10 minutes, I can make it.” Then like 2 minutes later I would peek out of the window again, and the school bus would be there with doors open- onboarding everyone that had been waiting. In a hurry, I would grab whatever was near, and dash out the door in a panic, while steadily screaming, “Wait, wait!” And although this would be a dream, I remember feeling an overall sense of frustration and anxiety, because I would be within the purview of the bus driver. So, I would be running and attempting to make it down the driveway, only for him to close the bus doors and drive off.I would say to myself, “Why would he pull off when I know he could see me?” But the driver would keep going and then I’d wake up.
If you’ve ever missed the bus to school, I’m sure you can remember the anxiety and frustration you would feel. Missing the bus would just throw your whole day off. For one, you knew you were about to have to inconvenience someone else with the task of now getting you to school. Most of our parents would be either en route to or already at work at the time we were supposed to be catching the bus. So, now you have to call them or interrupt another family member or friend to stop what they were doing, and take you to school. And don’t let it be the day that a pop quiz, test, or presentation were to take place. Now you have to worry about whether your teacher would approve or provide the opportunity for a make-up.
Then of course, on the way to school, when you get home, and throughout the week; you would have to hear constant lectures about being responsible, getting up on time, and preparing the night before. You remember those conversations. Except, now in this chapter of life we call adulting, if you miss your means of transportation to where you need to be, the main person you would be inconveniencing is you.
Almost Doesn’t Count
I honestly believe I had recurring dreams of missing my school bus because I was not operating in my designated area of purpose when it came to my life’s work. We all have jobs and careers that we choose to do- either from a place of necessity, survival, and/or a perceived lack of opportunities. Which means we ended up settling. But what is it that I, you, we- have been chosen to do? What is it, that you believe God has called you to do in this lifetime? And I know that is a deep and existential question to have to answer in your 20s and even 30s, but it is important to at least try.
Because whatever that ‘thing’ or path is for you-there are people waiting and depending on you to show up and be who you need to be. Yes, I agree that having to answer the pivotal question- “What am I destined to do during my lifetime?”-is overwhelming. But begin by asking simple questions like, “What urges or inner desires continue to pull and tug on me?” That no matter what I try to do to run away from it- it just keeps showing up in my life in some form or fashion?” Whatever that may be, it is begging for you to respond and do something with it.
So, now back to the dream. Although the driver could see me and possibly even hear me yelling, “wait, wait!” The fact of the matter is, I wasn’t where I was supposed to be, at the time I was supposed to be there. Like, the old saying by R&B songwriter and singer Brandy goes, “Almost Doesn’t Count.” My being almost at my pickup spot did not matter. That’s because opportunity awaits no one. It’s not the driver’s job to wait for people who aren’t prepared or in place. It is their job to pick up people who are in their assigned place, at the designated time.
Regardless of your designation, buses have different routes and set time schedules that they must follow. Meaning, that every fifteen minutes or so, that bus will hit certain pickup spots to onboard a new group of people. When you rode the school bus, you could estimate what time your bus driver would be at your house, just from habit and routine. And guess what? You had to be there or you would be left behind.
Be There or Be Square
The bus of opportunity works the same way. Meaning, God will send assigned helpers (people who are Godly in spirit and action); divinely orchestrated topics of conversations; networking events, and so on- that all reinforce what it is you are designed and gifted to do. And just like your school bus or the city bus, you can either show up and meet that opportunity, or miss out. But what if that opportunity doesn’t come in another 15 or 30 years?! Or, what if it doesn’t come back around at all (I know I’m cruel for that lol)?
But in all seriousness, that’s the gamble and chance we take when we don’t attempt or at least try to take on opportunities that we believe are made for us. We hope and pray we have longevity and plenty of time to accomplish our goals and dreams. However, the reality is we are not promised that time. So, what are you going to do with the time you do have? I’ll tell you, run towards– no, be there waiting at that bus stop long before the pickup time. Wait at that bus stop (your opportunity) like your life depends on it. Because it does.
So, what does it look like to be waiting at your bus stop? It involves behind-the-scenes preparation, such as working on and bettering yourself, taking business classes, researching vendors or people who could help you in your specific niche or area of focus, and more. Waiting also involves reflecting on and writing out the things you envision happening in your life. This can be done in the form of a vision board or journaling. Whatever method you choose, be very detailed and specific about the life you desire to live. Even if it seems far-fetched or too big of a dream, write it down. Then decide on the actions you can take right now with the resources you have. In short, make sure you are taking all the necessary steps that will get you one step closer to your goal.
Remember this message: Keep chasing your dream. Keep showing up and doing all you can to get one step closer to living your desired path. Someone is waiting for you to do so.
💜
