The ITunes
Yesterday my ITUNES sound wouldn’t turn on. No matter what I did, those tunes wouldn’t play.
Sheesh!
I reeeealllly wanted to hear some tunes while I practiced. I had woken up a bit off, and wanted the distraction. The distraction from the vicissitudes and various sufferings of my mind.
I had my quotes on note cards in front of my mat, but they weren’t enough.
But those tunes just wouldn’t play. So I “heard” (pun intended) the message, clearly Universally sent (there was nothing wrong with my computer–they had played the night before), and stepped on my mat to face the silence—and my mind.
Today I woke up feeling great. My ITUNES played immediately, and I smiled at how everything happens as it should—always.
Whether we want to admit it in the moment, or not.
And whether we like it, or not.
I needed to practice yesterday in silence. I needed to face what was coming up in my mind—to really look at it and feel it—in order to let it go. Distraction (music) wouldn’t have served me well. So The Universe saw to it that those tunes didn’t work.
There was no technological reason the music didn’t play. I changed nothing on my computer between yesterday am and this morning.
Miracle?
Yes.
I believe in miracles.
I believe they happen daily.
Do you?
March 1st, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Miracles are interesting, aren’t they?
Because they don’t always seem like they are miracles right away.
Two weeks ago I trained for yet another restaurant job to supplement my income because of the fear I am holding that I can’t make money doing what I love.
So I go back to my safety, waitressing.
So there I was training, even though as I was pulling into the driveway of the restaurant I felt/heard/experienced a big ‘DON’T DO IT!’
But I left the training shift feeling fine, having had a nice evening with some lovely, funny and low-key new co-workers.
It felt safe and I was relieved.
Then, two days later, the day before my next training shift, I got a call from the owner.
‘I wanted to call you, Adrienne, and let you know not to bother coming in. Based on what a few people said the other night, we feel you are not a good fit for our restaurant. So we don’t want to waste your time having you come in again. Best of luck to you.’
I got off the phone and was a bit in shock and a bit afraid.
I have 20 years restaurant experience couldn’t imagine what people had said! I thought the night went well!
And now, WTF was I going to do?!?!?
After the shock moved on, I began to laugh hysterically.
I finally got it.
The universe was saying to me:
‘Stop. Stop right now. Put all your energy into the business you have and you love. Don’t be a freakin’ idiot.’
I danced around the house.
I threw out my apron.
I vowed to never look on craigslist again.
I wrote down all my intentions and goals for my business.
And guess what?
Things are moving forward. I am seeing the fruits of my labor.
I will not be waitressing or working in a restaurant any time soon.
Miracles rock.
I am so grateful.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:34 pm
so when you sometimes can’t/won’t/refuse to/ect, the universe does it for you.
and that, is a miracle.
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:08 pm
This is a sweet entry. I think it speaks to how we “hold” things. Adrienne could have treated that “set back” as a really negative event, but instead saw the opportunity in it. That’s the best we can do with “set backs.” Many of them are in fact opportunities, opportunities to go in another, more fruitful direction (hopefully).
IDK about miracles. I think we’ve all had things happen to us that are serendipitous and hard to explain — things that are lost then found, things that don’t work and then do, chance meetings that change our lives immeasurably (true for me), etc., but what would be the cause of it? Some external force would have to effectuate the change — and certainly we can agree that the inanimate objects themselves cannot be the agents of change, so something external?
I’m willing to go along with the notion that we in our 3-d world perhaps exist in a multi-dimensional continuum and that we can only experience a piece of it. I believe in eternal life and the existence of a “soul.” I love to read the accounts of near-death experiences and think of these as data about other-worldly existences. My boyfriend is willing to go this far with me on immortality: that our “atoms and molecules” are not destroyed and continue beyond us… that’s so comforting
.
Anyway, I really like this blog and the questions raised in it. I like how it lifts us out of our mundane existence for a few minutes and provides an opportunity to contemplate more meaningful matters.
Thanks all. Kathy
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Congrats Adrienne!
It is easy to fall back on something that you “know”. I am glad that you are taking the other road!
YOU GO GIRL!!!
March 4th, 2010 at 7:00 am
yay adrienne! that is great! so true that the universe will do it for us when we can’t or won’t….i think that is always why people get fired — it is always bc they actually wanted to leave!
yesterday i was supposed to meet a friend for coffee, and i sent him an email saying i’d be there late…..when i arrived he was not there. i did not mind at all, i sat down, took psychic calls, and met people who also want tarot readings. i did not feel “stood up” at all for a moment — i just enjoyed!
when i got home i realized that the email to my date did not send! i was totally meant to have quiet time to myself. the universe always knows best, and, most importantly, when we go with the flow and accept what is as it unfolds, we can stay happy and zen and enjoying life!
shanti
March 4th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Okay, so I get the message here that the universe knows best. But sometimes that doesn’t always appear to be happening – so when is it acceptable to intercede? If you see someone you care about making mistakes that to you seem obvious, do you wait for the universe to correct them or do you step in?
I have a good friend who recently decided to leave her husband. I try to pass no judgement on that decision as no one can really understand another mom’s personal life. Since the split, she has taken on some new hobbies and has started dating other people several nights a week.
Her youngest child is the same age as my daughter and they play together several times a week. I have noticed significant behavior problems and tantrums since the lifestyle changes. I am concerned that my friend is not spending enough – if any – quality time with her daughter.
So, do I come out and tell her? Or do I stay silent and wait for the universe to speak up?
March 4th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
ahhhh, other people’s journey’s.
and that’s what it just is.
other. people’s. journey.
it can be tough sometimes to watch.
but in my opinion, that is all we can do.
so pray, julia, pray!
pray that your friend knows what is best (even though it doesn’t seem it) and that her journey will be beautifully paved.
and maybe offering some gal pal time, ‘hey let’s go to lunch/yoga/grab a glass of wine so we can talk’ and see if she says stuff before you do and either way, you can just offer an ear, love and support.
hope that was helpful but i know this is a tough situation esp. when little ones are involved. i am sure taylor will have great stuff to share too.
March 4th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
and thanks everyone for your enthusiasm for my situation!
i’m keeping strong!
March 5th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Oh Julia!
I guess that the best that you can do is try not to judge. Be that wonderful Mom to both your little girl and to her friends, because believe me, someday she will thank you (I know because I had an awesome Mom like that in my own little kid life when my own Mother chose the path that your friend is taking). Enjoy the children and try not to worry what your friend is up to. It is possible to have the child in your life even if your season with her Mom ends for whatever reason.
It is painful to lose a friend. I was great friends with someone who mirrors your description of your friend above. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that there would ever come a day when we were not friends…we were that close. And then, she left her husband(which is totally fine…there are productive ways to do that), started dating every knucklehead out there all while totally forgetting that she was supposed to be a parent. It was hard for me at times to contain my anger at her and my disdain, because I got to see first hand how her children were suffering. I did have to though because her path belongs to her. Will she wake up someday? God, I hope so but I am not holding my breath…. do I miss the “old” her ? Oh my God do I EVER…but she is gone…for now I enjoy seeing her kids every weekend when they are with their Dad (whom I am still friends with and as a result she has accused us of ‘taking sides’…I told her I WAS choosing sides…that I was on her children’s side…although I do admit to being blown away by the immaturity of the accusation). They hang at my house because they are dear to my entire family!
So Julia I DO totally get your frustration and do agree that some people will never be clued in enough to listen to the Universe….and we can’t make them. Our words will not make them have the AHA moment that we think that they should be seeking because deep down somewhere in the recesses of their souls they know that they are blowing it…the only way that true change will come is if they truly look at themselves…and sadly we cannot lead them or “fix” them…that is their job!
BTW Adrienne I will put your info on my best of’s on my website. I have a whole demographic of readers that could SO use your services…Police, Fire, EMS, Etc.
http://www.sunnyrealist.com…check it out and send me your info and we can see what happens from there!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Hi Taylor,
This is a wonderful blog. I love your restaurant as well and would be interested in interviewing you and Phillipe for my upcoming book: Skinny Thinking for Parents (my current book, Skinny Thinking about applying non-dual principles such as self-inquiry to eating and weight issues, launches next month). I really want to talk to parents who eat healthy and are helping their kids to eat healthy, in a culture where that is not supported. How are you dealing with that?
Laura
March 5th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Wow, I have to respond to the comments made about the Moms who left their husbands (and children).
I did that. And there were good reasons for it, reasons that even the people closest to me are just beginning to understand.
And because I left that way I suffered at the hands of the Court system (until I learned to fight back) and at the hands of my family and friends. AND about a year after I left, I met the most fantastic man who has been a mate to me in every way that my abusive ex-husband was not. And at the time our relationship started (and I still didn’t believe it could really “work” given my constraints) my family basically accused me of having “too much fun” with this guy. Believe me, nothing could have been further from the truth. BUT what I did get was a second chance at life, and I needed this chance to move forward with my life and with the life of my children, etc.
This may be the first time I’ve ever really written about something so personal in such an impersonal forum, but I wanted to relay the following:
–Sometimes when we leave even WE don’t really fully comprehend why. After 3 years I just finally and fully understood why I left as I did, and I finally forgave myself for my actions, because after having a conversation with my son last weekend, I finally understood what I was dealing with 3 years ago — both with my ex-husband and with my family.
–I hardly ever discuss my ex-husband’s behavior with anyone but he was (and remains) so, so abusive in so many ways you can’t even really describe to people — but let me just say there was a time when I thought it possible I (or my boyfriend) was in terrible danger
–And while I never once questioned my commitment and love for my children, or that I was and am a wonderful parent, almost everyone else did — and that really widened the separation between myself and people from that “past life”
And so I ask people to tread cautiously when encountering people in my situation. I know everyone is different, but I would bet you don’t and can’t really understand what happened, and what brought that person to leave as she did.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Wow Kathy,
Thanks for sharing such a personal and inspiring story. I totally get where you are coming from, having endured a three year relationship with my daughter’s father that – was not physically abusive – but emotionally and financially abusive. I felt a lot of pressure from family and society (although not my “real” friends) to keep the “family unit” intact so that my daughter would have a mommy and daddy under the same roof before I came to what sounds like a similar realization that you did, which is that my daughter would be better off with a mom who is happy and confident. And I still believe that to be true, and sounds like it definitely is in your case.
I think there is a great deal of pressure from society for moms to stay the course and stay in destructive relationships “for the kids sake.” Even last month, at my daughter’s school there was a father – daughter valentine dance. My wonderful boyfriend took my daughter and she had a great time, but it unearthed another round of questions and anxiety on her part about why her family is different.
In any case, I don’t want to say too much about my friend for her privacy’s sake, but different situation. She has decided for her own reasons that she prefers to “take a break” from being a mom and focus on her own distractions. I try SO HARD not to judge and to accept everyone’s path, but this one has tested by abilities – or inabilities – in this regard. It’s hard for me to continue my friendship with someone who is neglectful of her children’s needs. But I’m trying – to each their own path and I hope hers is the right one for her ultimately.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Thanks for the nice response Julia. I commend you for taking such brave steps and making life better for you and your daughter. That’s wonderful.
I can’t say anything about your friend, obviously… but again, my caution just regarded my own experience with the subject. There’s so much more I could say about it and I really don’t want to, but people routinely thought somewhat ill of me and a lot of it, I didn’t think, was true or real, but real for them.
In some ways, it’s still hard to be a woman, there’s still a lot of misogyny around, etc.
Regarding our “paths,” I think it is true that once we make a decision, any decision, and travel down a path, our lives do change forever and so there really is no way to know if something is best as we can never measure it that way (‘it’s not an optimization problem…; hence, you cannot know for your friend).
But your path sounds wonderful and I love to hear success stories. Thanks so much for sharing! Kathy
March 5th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Taylor has been radio silent and maybe she is fed up by my posts, but I have a funny feeling it may have to do with two little people making their way into the world; maybe I’m wrong but regardless — good feelings and prayers are with you and Philippe to make sure your latest MIRACLES are healthy and happy (and as pain free as possible)!
March 7th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Hi Super-people,
Much gratitude for all of your wise and thoughtful posts.
Good stuff.
No babies yet!
33 days and counting….
Philippe and I have been abundant all week with some exciting new happenings—a potential new TV show–talked with producers who came to us; a potential new studio—talked with someone who came to us; the launching of PRANARAW.COM on Monday (check it out!); finishing editing my book: The Adventures of Super-mom: How to Create the Best Life Ever; and teaching Prana Power Yoga Teacher Training to 50 wonderful students.
So not a lot of time online. ☺
Julia raises an excellent question, and one that actually came up at Teacher Training yesterday.
We love synchronicities!
My belief is pretty simple on this topic:
1. Everyone’s on their own journey, and who am I to judge or decide what’s appropriate for them at any time? Their Spirit has a path and plan that I know nothing about. Even if something seems “obvious” to me, that’s according to my Spirit—my life—my truth, and I just have no way of knowing the other person’s long-term path, what will eventually come out of what’s happening, what “needs” to happen so to speak, and most importantly, what this person’s Spirit’s journey is.
2. “My life is my message.” -Gandhi
This simply means that no matter how “hard” I try, I cannot teach by anything except my example. By walking my talk, I help people to see their path, but they need to be at a time and place in their life to see it, and I cannot force or even influence this.
“When the student is ready, the Master appears.”
I have learned this countless times in my life—enough so that I “get it” now.
Even though I come from a place of truly wanting to help, it is not helpful for the other person (or me!) to attempt to change someone else. And it just plain don’t work, Sisters. ☺
If I ever feel “tired,” frustrated, irritated, fed up, etc. when “trying to help” someone else, STOP! Regroup. Ground myself. Let go. And begin again.
When I am truly in the flow or the “vortex” of the Universe, it will feel effortless to help others. It should never feel difficult. This is my (emotional guidance) indication that I am off-track.
As always, take what you want and leave the rest Super-people, and have the best day ever!
Namaste!
Taylor
March 7th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
My own father left my abusive mother, and so many people questioned his motives, especially in our tight knit Italian family where divorce is virtually unheard of…there certainly are SO many reasons to leave an abusive partner, however sometimes good friends leave nice men just because (which is also fine…believe me, I was that kid who would lie awake and pray that my parents would just get divorced already…FAR from what most children of divorce EVER say), they are not happy, which again, is our right in this life..because their path is their path. It does pain me to see my friend (who I was supprotive of through her separation..because I just wanted for her to be happy with or without a hubby) strike out as a Mom because she wants to party (drink, hang out in bars, etc.)…sorry…that is not the best choice regarding the children, no matter how you slice it. Sometimes “friends” are mean and “accuse” others of various parenting “mistakes”, and yes, in many cases they are dead wrong…and sadly in some cases, they are SO correct. I *WISH* that I could say that my friend was having “too much fun” with a super nice guy…