Monkey See Monkey Do

I am a dreamer in every sense of the word. As I dream, my wishes come to life. I may dream of something bizarre featuring a crush, or of vacationing in the tropics. Every once in a while, I have a dream that truly perplexes me and without failure, the moment I wake up, I google symbolisms to try to find meaning behind the pictures playing in my head. Last night was one of those nights. I've dreamt of my family's pet guinea pig before but, this time, other little creatures were wreaking havoc in my home. As I routinely cleaned up Biscuit's habitat, five spider monkeys magically inhabited my living room. No one else was home, so it was my job to corral them. They squeaked and Biscuit squealed, and jumped all over my table. How did these monkeys get here, I asked myself in the dream and now, fully alert and oriented. What does it mean when monkeys show up in a dream?

A quasi-psychological article writes monkeys are a symbol of 'liberation from the mundane'. As a traveler, I think it is fair to say 'mundane' does not effectively illustrate my lifestyle. It is hard to think about traveling to any place and reveling in amusement when Black and Brown folk are giving up their lives for liberation at this very moment. Liberation heals suffering. Liberation breeds peace. All humans deserve equity and equality.

Liberation

The fact and right of being a free person, an independent being with private and righteous morals, beliefs, emotions, talents, and purpose in this world. The space to exist as we are in all of our humanness.

While growing up, we are shaped by and scaffolded into varying schemas and cultures. Like monkeys, we learn a new behavior and practice it until something new expands our minds. As we can stand, walk, and explore without our caregivers, we begin forming parts of our identity. Are we reticent, or shy? Are we daredevils or daisies? As we grow, we begin to chip away at our teachings, pruning them to make space for new thoughts, creations, and patterns of behavior. If we are forever learning, we cannot get caught up in the mundane.

I invite you to think about a previous teaching or a behavior you may often engage in that no longer serves the intentions you are setting for yourself today. Throw away what no longer serves you. Are you the person you want to be? Are you complacent in an area of your life? Do you live for yourself, or the gaze of others? Are you living authentically?

Freedom isn't granted. It's already yours, you have to take it.

I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. — Angela Davis