This past weekend, I watched the movie Life,featuring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. It's one of my favorites. I have seen this movie at least twenty times. It's a story about two men (Ray Gibson, played by Murphy and Claude Banks, played by Lawrence) who are wrongfully convicted for a murder and they're sent to prison for life. Throughout the movie, they try to figure out ways to escape prison while coming to terms with the situation they've found themselves in.
Although I've seen this movie many times, one scene really ministered to me. There's a scene in the move in which Ray Gibson begins to share with his fellow prison mates his dream of owning his own nightclub. He begins to speak about the club, "Ray's Boom Boom Room" as if it already exists. The other's in the prison soon find out that the club only exists in Rays mind.
Fast forward to another scene in the movie. Ray, Claude, and all the other prisoners are about to go to bed for the night when one of them asks Ray to tell them about the "Boom Boom Room". Claude objects because he's trying to sleep, but since the other prisoners want to hear about it, he's out voted.
Ray begins to describe in great detail how the club looks, who normally stops by (Louie Armstrong) and who's performing tonight! He begins to share his dream and how all of the prisoners have a place in his club. Ray's fellow prisoners are enjoying his story, but the dream quickly dissipates when the guard comes in the room to bust up all the fun they're having. The guard is quick to remind them of where they are... in prison.
As I watched the movie, I couldn't help but think about my own dreams. I have dreams that seem so real to me that I can describe them just like Ray described his "Boom Boom Room". Do you have a "Boom Boom Room"? Do you have something you've been dreaming about that hasn't quite happened yet, but you know it's on the way? Do you feel like you've been given a prison sentence?
Here's why I think everyone needs to have a "Boom Boom Room":
It starts with your mind- When Ray begins to talk about the "Boom Boom Room" to his the other prisoners, one of them says "So, it doesn't exist yet". Ray's response "It exists in my mind". You can choose to let your circumstance be at the center of your thoughts or your can choose to think about a dream. Everything starts with a thought. Your thoughts about your "Boom Boom Room" are the catalyst to the actions that follow to support it. There's a scripture that says " For as he thinketh in his heart; so is he..(Proverbs 23:7). Additionally, Philippians 4:8 encourages us to consider what we're thinking about.
Having a dream gives you hope- In the movie, Ray and Claude found themselves in prison. They were in a situation they could not control. The hopes of the "Boom Boom Room" allowed Ray to transcend his current situation. Have you ever been in a situation or career in which you've felt trapped? Hope gives you something to look forward to, something to smile about, something to direct your mental energy towards in the midst of your circumstances. Even if you feel like you've just been given life, your dream will lift you beyond what you're facing. I like Lamentations 3:21-23. It talks about having hope and because of the Lord's mercy, we are not consumed by what we find ourselves in.
Your "Boom Boom Room" gives hope to others. When you begin to share about your dream, other people will get excited! Not only does your dream lift you, but it lifts those around you. The people around you could be in similar circumstances. Your "Boom Boom Room" encourages them to hope and dream and maybe have a "Boom Boom Room" of their own! You can't expect everyone to be excited about your dream though. Trust me... there will be some Claudes in the room, Prayerfully, Claude will be out voted and you will continue to envision your dream and lift those around you who are willing to be lifted.
Ray and Claude did finally make if out of prison. Unfortunately, Ray had become too old to pursue the "Boom Boom Room". But, his dream did what it was supposed to do. It gave him hope in the midst of a difficult situation and gave hope to others. You need something that does that for you.
My "Boom Boom Room" is a business in which I can give hope to people around the globe. What is yours?
Connect with me at www.lakeparkconsulting1.com or facebook.com/lakeparkconsulting and let me know what your dream is.
Greetings LaDonna Bracy. This is an ABSOLUTELY wonderful article. You are such a beautiful writer and inspiration. I have been thinking about starting a blog and just putting my writing skills to use by writing about various inspirational moments that have happened in my own life as a way to inspire others. Your words and analogy of this wonderful movie have served as confirmation that this is one of the things that I MUST follow through with. Thank you so much. At some point I will connect with you. I'd love to learn more about your journey and assist in helping you in any way possible. Renee
ReplyDeleteHi, Renee. That is amazing!!!! Thank you so very much. I encourage you to go forth and publish your blog. The world needs to hear your message. This had made my day. Thanks so much!
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