They say that Deja Vu comes upon you when you least expect it. It may whisper a bittersweet remembrance in your ear reminding you of a cruel irony...or it may appear as the masked partner in a ballroom dance revealing itself through the drumbeat of a ironically familiar misstep. But however, it barrels back into your life..you never miss it. You've been here before. That you know.
But the urgent question is Why? Why do you find yourself back in this space in time, peering through the mist of confusion and regret? Why are there some experiences which just don't seem to want to go their way and die a quiet death of unambiguous remorse?
There have been many wise sages who have tackled this question with far greater skill and wisdom than I could ever muster. And, as the experience of deja vu seems to startle all of us at different times, perhaps the answers ultimately are going to be private and personal. However, I think one thing can be said about a deja vu experience...it comes to teach us something if we will examine it long enough to learn.
Deja Vu is not always associated with negative experiences. When deja vu revives beautiful memories, it's lingering familiarity feels like one is tenderly wrapped in a warm,comfortable cloak. However, brief and fleeting...a positive deja vu experience can inspire a feeling of calm and peace.
Nevertheless, it's the unsettling moments of deja vu that perhaps contain the keys for some of life's most teachable moments. I've found that my real estate career has afforded ample opportunity for many of these. Moments when I've been involved in a transaction that was going south in a hurry. Moments of painful clarity when I know I've been dealt with dishonestly...and the thought occurs to me...haven't I been here before?
It is only recently that I've begun to understand an important component of deja vu. One of the reasons why certain patterns and circumstances continue to occur in life and business is because although we've been in certain situations before, we've failed to gain the depth of understanding that enables us to walk through and beyond.
You see the prophet Jonah's first pity party wasn't held miles below the coastline in the stomach of a huge fish. Jonah had been having many a temper tantrum before he found himself in the belly of a smelly whale. And in the same way, Daniel's three companions had been the subject of a lot of jealous contention before they found themselves in the roaring fire-pit of consuming enmity.
But, the powerful theme in these ancient stories is that the protagonist don't stay parked in their dire circumstances...they learn from them. There must be something truly profound, albeit stinky, about reflecting in a swimming pool of whale slime. There's definitely something tremendously powerful about being refined through a trial in a fiery furnace. These moments of clarity afford an opportunity to put things in proper perspective. Can jealously ever hurt in the same way if you know that it's most targeted firebrand will eventually reveal a greater brilliance and purity in your soul?
I think that this is what deja vu experiences are supposed to do. Life is a patient teacher, sending it's lessons out to us over and over again until we hopefully get it. Deja Vu experiences clear the mind through the visitation of a scenario that is all too frighteningly familiar. Deja Vu experiences are the beckoning call; inviting us to look at the cold hard truth about who we are and what we are becoming.
I believe that deja vu experiences are sent to to challenge us to remember what is worth fighting for. And to expose the cruelty of costly efforts and deep disappointments which wreck havoc at the core of our lives. These need to be released into the sea of total forgetfulness so we can move decisively into the future... undeterred by unwelcome intrusions from the past. If we are willing to receive and embrace the lessons masked within the reappearance of a deja vu, we may experience a unexpected gift of peculiar grace.
*Full versions of the incredible stories of Jonah & Daniel can be found in the books by this name in the Bible.
Photo courtesy of Gucciano's photostreamon flickr.com
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Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
Lola,
What a powerful post!!! I haven't had too many deja vu moments, but I vividly remember my "moment of clarity. It was on June 10, 2004. I left my partner of 15 years, but I was hesitant about my decision. I went back to my home to give it another try. That's when it hit me between the eyes. All the answers to all the questions I had became clear to me. I could never go back to an unhealthy relationship. We all have to listen to our inner voice, it will never betray us. My life is now better because of that moment.
Lola,
the sea of total forgiveness - ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Thank you - I sometimes forget that I am forgiven - the heavens bankrupted - my sins paid for - my soul saved.
Thank you for this special post. It has given me peace.
Mike Lewis
Lola, I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your writing. All the posts I have read have been informative, or in this case thought provoking and insightful. Thanks.
I believe there is something about deja vu. I had an experience once that saved my brother's life...
I woke up one night startled by the dream I had. I was in a bar, the bartender was flipping quarters, a man walks in and stabs my brother. (That's the summary...the bar itself was unique, the group of people I was with....etc). When I woke up, I made a mental note.... "that was a weird dream". Then I went back to sleep.
The dream was forgotten and it was some time later. I went to visit my brother in college. (Summarizing a long story). He brought us to quarters night at his local watering post. The bartender flips a quarter and if you guess 2 of 3, you get a free drink (Ahhh.... college).
I got hit with deja vu, however, I also remembered sitting up in bed and the dream at that moment. Not only a deja vu, but I remembered when I experienced it before. It was the same bar, same group of people, etc. The only thing missing was the man walking in the bar and I wasn't going to wait for him. I convinced my brother to change the situation and we took a walk around the block.
No one walked in and stabbed my brother.
(Thanks for commenting on my stolen content article!)