The Universe speaks

Some of you might know that I get messages from the Universe. Some of you out there get the same messages, so you'll know what I'm talking about. What I'm not talking about is strange voices or communications zapped down from on high (or the product of an overactive imagination). Although sometimes, I admit, they can feel that way. I get them from here, and I've been getting them via email once or twice a week now for well over a year.

Some of the messages are (scarily, wonderously) perfect for the day or week I'm having. Some just cause me to take a breath and reflect. Some make me laugh out loud. Some make me cry. Some make me really take stock and think. Some inspire me, truly inspire me, awakening something deep inside that I've known was always there but either forgot about, let lie dormant for much too long or didn't realize was in there at all. Some are just nice notes that seem to be exactly tailored to my life in general. All of them are personal. Mine. For me. Even if they're the exact same note that someone else (you, perhaps?) has received as well. And that's what makes them special.

I have a huge folder of the ones I've saved -- ones I thought especially noteworthy or poignant. You'll remember a few posts ago, I was trying to find one (unsuccessfully). I have this crazy (or not) notion that one day, I'll cut and paste them all into one long, lovely book, that I can read and reread -- and be inspired and amazed and awed all over again.

I'm not all that "into" the website from which these lovely notes come, nor have I been actively interested in attending the live seminars from the site's founder that occasionally pass through my area, nor am I interested in the book (which is not to say that if I took the time, I would be, or that you might be as well). But what I live for, what I look forward to, what I really appreciate and believe in, are the notes. They're not trite, or overly anything. They simply are. And that's what makes them perfect.

Today's was (as usual) a good example of something I needed to hear, coming right off the heels of a marathon editing and index checking weekend, with the laundry still in the dryer, a blog post still to (again!) compose, dishes in the sink, Christmas decor still piled and un-stored -- including the still fully assembled tree -- all in the days before a huge Colorado trip for which I have a ton to do and pack and prepare and....

Anyway, here's what it said. I share it with you:

Today, just do a little bit, so I can do a lot of bit. That's how it works.

 - huge love, The Universe

365... err, 362, I guess.

Ok, so I'm not a huge believer in New Year's resolutions. The Universe slipped me a little note last year, that oddly (or not oddly?) is the one that I have passed on to so many others, but somehow cannot find (even after searching for the last 10 minutes)(coincidence? you know the answer to that, I'm sure). Regardless, its message is that there's no such thing as "starting new" or "resolving to make things better" now that the calendar year has turned. What's real, what's important, is believing (ALWAYS!) that what you wish for, what you want, what you wish to change or feel or accomplish or be is always within reach. That instead of starting anew, it's more of a re-energizing, re-affirming, re-believing, if you will, in yourself and everything your life can bring you (and already is).

I've been wanting to do a better job of recording the magic of Grif. His craziness, his antics, his everydayness. And one of my photographer friends is taking and posting a new pic of her kids every day this year, 365 snapshots into the joy of her life and her family. As soon as I saw this, it struck a vibrant chord with me. Yes! This is the answer I didn't even know I was looking for (I love how that's always the way, right?). The answer to both my dilemma for blogging more and simply recording more of the boy's life.

So here it is. Day 1 (which is actually 3, but whatever). This morning, Grif and I got a late start, compounded by the fact that I let him cuddle into my bed, covers pulled all the way up to his nose, to watch Curious George while I hopped into the shower. I was so struck by his little face, the way he was mesmerized by the cartoon, his full attention on it, and the way I could only see the top half part of his head from the nose up. His sweet little cute button of a nose. It was the nose that got me.

Then tonight, we were playing trains before bed. And he was telling me a story about the one -- calling it the Spo-ler Esspress (Grif-speak for Polar Express), HOO-HOO!!!-ing around in circles, and telling me it was headed to the mountains. Pause. And also. Pause. The North Pole. His innocence, his energy, his stillness and motion. His youth, his joy, his very boy-ness. Click -- a snapshot of both, in my head and on this page forever. And although this photo does not capture either specifically, it's the start for both.

I love new beginnings, don't you? Consider this more than my happy new year to you (and me, and jim, and grif). Consider this my Happy Always.

seeing, listening, believing

And somehow, another month (plus) has passed, a new year has begun, and the craziness of the holidays has come and gone without a word here. Instead of apologizing, vowing to change, or wishing that I could do something different, I'm trying -- no, doing -- something new. Slightly different. Instead, right now, I'm simply thankful that I'm able to carve out these few minutes now to be here. To do this. And that you're here along with me. Everything as it should be. Kind of an interesting twist on looking at things, no?

I've been listening to the universe a lot lately. Both the universe at large, and the universe as it speaks through a favorite source. Even better, not just listening to the universe, but really hearing it. I saw a sign the other day while driving -- one of those digital road signs that usually blinkingly proclaim "road work ahead 2 miles, proceed with caution" -- only this one actually said, "You are blessed. Be thankful for this good life." Ok, I thought, I'm listening. I get it. And I think it's awesome.

Another day, I got a note from the universe, telling me to "ask my question, feel the answer. Ask, feel, ask, feel. It's that easy." It is that easy, isn't it? My question was of course, "when?" (can I find the right job that will let me spend more time with my husband and boy and still be financially viable) and the soothing, believable, obvious answer was immediately, overwhelmingly, absolutely "soon." Ask. Feel. When? Soon. Ask...feel...when...soon. WHEN? SOON! Even more striking, I believed it. Truly believed it. Still do. It's become my mantra, especially during yoga. Inhale when. Exhale soon. It's perfect, really.

For the new year, I was tempted to do the same-old start over, wipe the slate clean, set new goals thing. But again, at a suggestion, instead I'm looking at it this way....I'm giving thanks that life is just as it is (and always has been). Knowing that what I want is already mine by divine law (and I'm not worrying about how I'll get there) and just focusing on the ownership, the absoluteness of this and letting the rest take care of it itself. I'm following my impulses and instincts, and above all, I know that 2011 is going to be my year (more to the point, it already is).

I even had my tarot cards read the other night, out of curiosity and compulsion, to know if everything I was thinking and feeling already this year would shine through somehow with a turn of a card. Suffice it to say, much of it did. And although I didn't need confirmation to know that the path I'm on is unequivocally the right one, the best one, it certainly was comforting and lovely to hear a voice of resounding agreement.

I've started wearing a yoga charm made by the fabulous Rachel at The Yoga Bar, which reads "Salutations to Ganesha" -- remover of obstacles and the symbol for new beginnings. I'd even go so far as to say it called to me. I love what it represents -- the hope, the knowledge, the certainty. It just seemed too perfectly right.

So -- this may seem a wee bit more mystical than usual, and much of this I've shared with some of you already via email, coffee or conversation, but it simply had to be the first post of this wonderful new year. And even though we all have those same dreams and aspirations and hopes for change and discovery as a new season begins, the difference -- the one I believe and know and feel with utter happiness and certainty and peace -- is knowing (not just believing) that everything will work out as it should. Oh, yes, it will. That I will move mountains (and they will say, "thank you, dude!). And that there is simply no such thing as thinking too big.

Wow. Pretty cool, no?