I had a wonderful dream recently, about a week after the election.

I dreamed that I was at an inauguration celebration for Kamala or Michelle Obama. I know that’s annoyingly vague, but I think my sleeping brain created this ambiguity because I admire both of them so much.

My mother and I stood in a sea of people who were fairly humming with excitement and joy about the bright future. When Kamala/Michelle stepped through a door and waved, there was a collective gasp: she was absolutely dazzling in a full-length shining silver gown. She radiated power, love, and grace. What I couldn’t take my eyes off, though, were her sparkling silver shoes.

I noticed that there was a smaller room off the main room and excused myself to go investigate. Michelle/Kamala was there, standing in a circle of admiring people. I approached her and out of the clear blue I asked,

“What size shoe do you wear?”

When she answered, “a nine,” I crowed, “That’s amazing! I do, too!”

And then with more boldness than I usually summon in waking life, I asked,

“Would you let me try on your shoes for a little while?”

She seemed to find the idea amusing and we swapped shoes. I was amazed, looking down at my feet. I walked back into the main room and right up to my mother.

“Look!” I gushed. “I’m wearing HER shoes!”

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Now that, as my father would say, is a corker.

It’s a dream about stepping into the shoes of your heroes, trying them on for size, and finding that you are thrilled to wear them. They fit.

A couple points worth emphasizing:

The dream self is bold.

She steps forwards to ask to try on the shoes. She doesn’t hang back hoping her hero will offer them. On some level, she knows it’s time to wear these shoes and to step into the leadership role they signal. In a sense, she is acknowledging that it’s time to inaugurate herself.

 

The dream hero is generous and willing to play.

In waking life, many of us fear being rebuffed. But what if we substituted that fear for a belief that we would be met with understanding, kindness, and willingness to share, collaborate, or help? Imagine what would be possible if that were our assumption. Imagine how much more living we would allow ourselves to do!

 

This playful exchange only adds to what is possible.

Letting me try on the shoes did not diminish Kamala/Michelle. She was still her dazzling, amazing self and still very much the leader in the room. I believe we can all be leaders in our own time and sphere. In one moment, we step forward to lead; in another, we step aside to follow another leader’s wise directives. More wise and loving leaders is a good thing, especially when we are being led by our hearts.

 

The dream took place after the real-life election.

This, to me, is a beautiful mystery. What I take from it is that leaders are leaders no matter their official role, no matter what outside approval or validation they have been granted. I see greatness of heart and vision in both Kamala and Michelle, and I know they will always lead with those tremendous gifts whether they hold office or not. More vitally for us, I see the potential for those things in each of us. Whether we have been “voted in” or not, if we choose, we can lead with wisdom, grace, and love.

 

I told this dream to my dear friend Anne and she made me promise that I would write about it here to share with you. Thank you, Anne!

And thank you to each of you who steps forward to try on the shoes of leadership or who lends them to another. We need – and admire – you both!

 

Photo by Marcus Lewis on Unsplash