I am trying to learn to surrender to the universe and believe that everything is unfolding exactly as it’s meant to be, exactly when it’s meant to be.  

April of 2018 was the first time I remember really feeling in tune with the universe and feeling like a greater power had my back.  The universe started showing me a path out of something I was stuck in and really needed to get out of.  I believe it was sending me signs all along and I was ignoring them or being talked out of them, but when I was finally paying attention I couldn’t deny how much it was helping guide me in a new direction.  While it was extremely challenging, I felt like everything literally fell into to place and cleared the path for me. The universe was gently guiding me.  It was really crazy and hard to explain. But there were just too many things to be able to deny it.  That was the first time that I really trusted in the universe and what it was telling me.  I am forever grateful for that guidance and for it carrying me through.     

When I injured myself recently and required surgery, I was completely laid up for 2 months, and the universe started talking to me (again).  Or should I say that I finally started paying attention. I think the signs are always there but we aren’t always paying attention to them or ready to see them.  However, I think when the universe really has something really important to say, it puts road blocks in the way so that you take the time to stop and observe.  I believe that is what happened to me. 

(Injury = I tripped on Feb. 9 and tore a few tendon and muscles, and my right hamstring completely detached from my hip bone so I had surgery to reattach it and was on crutches and in a brace and couldn’t drive for 8 weeks.)

During this time, a dear friend came to visit me while I was on the mend. I was talking about how frustrating it was that my injury happened to me and turned my life completely upside down; but also mentioned that I thought it must have happened to me for a reason.  She quickly corrected me and said that it happened FOR me (not TO me).  Think about how profound that mindset shift is!  I mean, really stop and think about it.  It completely stopped me in my tracks.  

My injury happened FOR me. 

Why?  Well, I had 8 weeks to sit around and ponder the why. 

What it taught me? 

1. To slow down. In more ways than one. Literally and figuratively. My injury happened because I was running around in a hurry and multitasking, per usual.  I need to slow down and focus and complete one task at a time – that is easier said than done, but I am trying.  I also need to pause and slow down and stop to “smell the roses” so to speak.  The present deserves more of my attention. I want to enjoy the moments in the present – to be fully in here and now. 
2. To pay attention.  To my surroundings and my life.  Life can pass you by in the blink of the eye and it is important to pay attention to it so you don’t miss it or screw it up.  Not only was I not watching where I was going, I wasn’t paying attention to the signs from the universe, and I wasn’t tuning into my gut and listening to what it was telling me.  I have a history of ignoring my gut and so I feel like the universe kicked me in the butt so to speak so that I would stop and to pay attention to it and listen to it and trust it.  It forced me to take the time to reflect and go back and look at old journal entries. There were a lot of signs in them over the past couple years. It is crazy given that I was the one that wrote them that I wasn’t really paying attention to words I was writing – my gut was woven into the words but it was like I had blinders on.  This injury gave me the time to really dig deep and reflect about what I really want and need in my life.  I am making a promise to myself that I won’t deviate from what I want and need and nor settle for less.  No more going on auto pilot or cruise control.  No more being passive.  I need to do regular check in’s with myself and develop a better relationship with my gut. 
3. Appreciation and gratitude.  I am fiercely independent and feeling helpless and having to rely on others is extremely challenging for me.  I hate asking for help.  I felt very helpless – not being able to drive, couldn’t walk without crutches, not being able to use my leg at all, not being able to work out (which has always been my biggest form of stress relief) – I couldn’t even shower for a while and then needed a bench to do so.  Oh, and it was during Covid so add some isolation and a roller coaster of emotions into the mix.   But I got through it and I could not have done without my amazing support system.  I am truly blessed with an amazing family and friends.  I am so grateful.  I couldn’t go through this life without you.  I appreciate you reaching out, stopping by, feeding me, giving me rides, sending me things, calling to check in, making me laugh, and everything you all did.  I have never felt so loved.  Quarantine and being laid up felt very lonely at times. However, I knew I wasn’t alone and that was such a security blanket for me.  I had people stop by or bring me food or send a card.  It was so touching.  I felt like my tribe anticipated my needs.  Needs that I didn’t want to admit or didn’t know that I had.  I’m sending a huge hug to my tribe – I am so grateful for each and every one of you. 
4. Trust.  Paying attention and listening to the signs is hard, but trusting them can be extremely difficult.  It’s kind of jumping off a cliff and hoping the safety net is there to catch you. I am trying to picture myself jumping off the cliff and landing on an eagles wings and the eagle reminds me that I am brave, strong, and free. 
5. Life is a gift.  And life is short.  Things can change for better or worse in the blink of an eye.  You can’t get your time back –don’t take anything for granted and don’t waste time on things that don’t matter or don’t fill you up with light and joy.

Sidebar:  It is interesting as I reflect on this.  I remember breaking my right foot in October of 2015.  (I swear I’m not a klutz!)  I was running around in a hurry multitasking then too (theme perhaps?).  It was really frustrating.  I had just gotten into real estate in January of that year and was trying to build my business and of course it was my right foot, so I couldn’t drive.  At the same time my sweet lab, Miko, got cancer and was getting chemo treatments.  I was laid up for 3 months in a boot. But as I reflect on it, with my new mindset shift, I think it happened FOR me so that I could spend quality time with her before she passed in March.  During those months, I was spending a lot of time sitting on the couch with Miko, and at least 3 times a week I would look out the window and see an eagle.  I felt like it came to visit me often (especially when I really needed it) to let me know it was all going to be okay.  Eagles are really meaningful to me – they allow me to exhale and make me feel like everything will be okay.  They are my guardian angels.    

My wish for you is that you trust your gut, trust the signs, and flow in the direction that the universe is showing you. What is the universe telling you today?

Dear, universe – BRING IT!

Clearly I’ve been thinking a lot about the universe in the last 2 months and this article  literally showed up in my inbox yesterday.  Crazy how that works.  Happy that I’m paying attention. 

https://medium.com/moments-matter/dont-ignore-the-signs-from-the-universe-aa491e6d2ca7