Friday, September 20, 2013

Signs

I'm a big believer in looking for signs.

If you've ever read The Alchemist by Paul Coelho, you'll know where I'm coming from.

[A quick side story about how I discovered the book and why it had such an impact on me.]
I read the book during a HUGE turning point in my life. This turning point occurred when I realized that something that I believed was impossible (as in "this would never happen to me") became possible. It made me ask "Are there other things that I thought were impossible that really are possible?"

Whoa.

That thought was like an explosion in my head. It blew away some walls that led me to explore art and travel and spend four months doing things that fell into the "its not important, I can do that later when I have time" category. Turns out those things are important and thank goodness I was in a mind space to realize it and do something about it. Since the, I've been breaking down my "impossible" barriers little by little.
[end side story]

Another thing that resonated so well with me from The Alchemist is encapsulated in this sentence:

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." 

The universe also sends you signs. What can be challenging is all this noise that can get in the way. The universe is screaming at you and you just can't hear from all the noise.

Signs are out there, you just have to be open to them. Like the song says:

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes 

I saw the sign 
Life is demanding without understanding 
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes 
I saw the sign 
No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong... 
But where do you belong? 

I saw the sign and it opened up my mind! 

Lately, I think the universe has been screaming at me and I've just now started to hear. I was finding myself in a bit of a rut. Nothing major but I was wallowing a little bit in my own little "woe is me" world and waiting for some savior to come charging in on a white horse to save me. 

Lots of lovely little things remind me that despite the difficulties I've experienced and my own personal drama (the stuff I create and succumb to every now and again), I do have the faith in myself and lots of love from friends and family to help me. Sure, I expect I'll lapse into "woe"dom every now and again, but I'll rebound a little quicker each time. 

I still want someone to come charging in on a white horse ... but not to save me, more to like swoop me up to ride the horse wherever I'm going or perhaps dismount to join me on whatever ride I'm on. Maybe, its more that I want someone to come riding in on a motorcycle (like the TRON cycle, ooo, how cool would that be?). Or, maybe, its more like I'm the one that's helping people to be open to the possibility of being swept off their feet and somewhere along the way, that special someone will join me in the dance.

I don't claim to have the answer because I believe, everyone has a different question that drives them. 
Its just like Curly says from the movie City Slickers::

Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is? [points index finger skyward] This.
Mitch: Your finger?
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean shit.
Mitch: But, what is the "one thing?"
Curly[smiles and points his finger at Mitch] That's what you have to find out.

I do believe that I have some experiences that I can share to help people find out what that question is for themselves so they can pursue the answer. It will come as no surprise if I tell you that sharing dance is a big part of that. I like the sound of  "changing your world, one dance at a time" 

I invite you to take a moment to engage in something that brings you joy or do something new to open up your mind to possibilities: to listen to the universe and the signs that are coming your way.