catnipoflife

Welcome back to Free Write Friday! If you are new here, feel free to read the intro. Otherwise, let’s get started.

Here is your FWF prompt…

Time & Place:

You find yourself in an elevator. The door closes and you see only five buttons. A sign hangs above them that reads: “Find Happiness.” Each button is a different color. Red, blue, green, orange and yellow. There are no other instructions and you must push one to get the elevator to move. Which color do you choose and why? Where does it take you?

Here is my story…

Up at 5a.m., getting ready for work and kids ready for school, packing lunches, chasing a piece of dry toast with a glass of OJ and I am out the door. The ‘hustle and bustle’ of the city streets is already in full force and my mind is spinning as I fight the horrid traffic. Not even at work yet and stress already has me in its clutches. Oh, what I would give for a day, just a day away from it all.

Finding a parking place is just as horrendous as the traffic. I ride ’round and ’round to no avail and end up parking in boo-foo as usual. Arr-r-r-rgh! Now it is beginning to sprinkle rain, I have on my high heels so no chance of running. I look toward the back seat and at least my ‘what’s left of it’ umbrella is there. It took a tumble in the wind a few days earlier but flimsy as it is it is still better than nothing.

I make it to the building without becoming totally drenched, shake my umbrella, gather my composure and walk toward the elevator. Something appears strange though. While the noise of the streets reverberates constantly on the outside, there is a sense of calm inside the building. No one is in sight. That is unusual, in fact, eerie. I glance at my watch, day and time, to be sure I hadn’t totally gone off the deep end and sent my kids to school on a Saturday. Nope! Today is Friday. A holiday? Nope! Those are celebrated on Mondays. Did I miss the retreat? Are you kidding? Boss would have us working overtime to brainstorm before allowing a day off for a retreat.

I approach the elevator and push the up button. A few seconds later the door opens. I step inside and the door immediately closes. I expect to push 7 for the seventh floor but there are only five buttons. What the heck? Am I in the Twilight Zone? No one was around to step into the elevator with me so realization set in that I am perfectly alone. I slap my face to see if I am dreaming. OUCH! Nope! Very much awake. At that point, I take a closer look at the buttons – definitely only five but not numbered.  Each button is a different color. Red, blue, green, orange and yellow. That’s when I notice the sign: “Find Happiness.”

By this time, I knew I had gone completely nuts. Stress factor was on overload and I was entering meltdown. If I am dreaming, I might as well make this dream as pleasant as possible. Why not? It’s MY dream! Okay, let’s look at those buttons and think about the sign “Find Happiness.”

Red is first. Red symbolizes fiery heat and warmth, action, courage, vim and vigor so to speak. Right now I feel ‘red’ enough, not up to any more activity and my courage is at a all-time low so I’ll move on to the second choice, blue, which happens to be my favorite color. Blue is the color of the sky, ocean, sleep, twilight symbolizing serenity. Blue is the calming color. Right now I am thinking I should push Blue and get the elevator moving for I could definitely use some calming down right now. Well, not so fast. Green is next, the color of nature, life, richness and has been designated the most restful color. Um-m-m? Another thought…do you suppose a bag of greenbacks is waiting upon my arrival should I choose this button? Nah! Move on to orange…the epitome of the warmth of the sun. With my fair complexion, I stay out of direct sunlight for fear of freckles. Better leave this one alone in case the elevator door opens onto a sunny beach. Well, I am here alone so why not let my imagination run rampant? Remember, the green made me think of a that bag full of greenbacks. One more. The last one is yellow, my second favorite, bright and cheerful. The yellow daisy is my favorite flower and I can envision the door opening onto a field of daisies where I can take off my shoes and chase the butterflies. Man, am I weird!

Alright already! I need to get moving so a decision has to be made. But what IS the meaning behind each of the buttons? Are my thoughts being monitored and serving as guideposts toward something mysterious laying in wait? The sign does say “Find Happiness.” Is this merely a means to let me know I need to slow down and really look at my life? Am I happy? This is definitely Twilight Zone material.

I lift my hand, slowly reach outward and push the Yellow button. Why yellow? I can think of reasons why or why not for each one of the colors. You would think my choice would automatically be blue since that is my favorite. This time I am going with number 5. Yellow is the fifth button and while blue may be my favorite color, my number is 5. Anyway, yellow is a happy color. Thus, “Find Happiness” must be found in the yellow zone, rather than blue of the twilight zone.

The elevator slowly rises. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ding! Door opens.

“Sweetie, wake up! Are you okay? Usually you have already had your shower by now. When you did not come downstairs, I got worried. Now, I am surprised to find you still in bed.”

“Is it you?” I reach out and touch the face of my loving husband with the oh-so worried look on his face. “I had the strangest dream. Yet, it seemed so real.”

“Well, you better hurry up or you will not make it to work on time. Kids are ready so you don’t have that to contend with this morning. See you in a few.” After a swift kiss on the nose, I am left alone to ponder the happenings of my dream as I shower and dress for work.

Once ready, I grab my purse, smile to myself and head to the kitchen. I had only one foot in the doorway to the kitchen when I heard, “SURPRISE!” There in front of me was nothing but solid happiness. My husband, our kids, two cats and a vase full of bright, sunny, yellow daisies. And of course, smiles from everyone with thoughts that transpired “Just because we love you!”