Life will throw you fast balls and you can either swing or sit your ass down... those are the only two choices you have, however the beauty of it all is that you will be given the signs to prepare you that your call to base is coming... Its your hit, will you go deaf and leave your opportunity to grow, progress, elevate to someone else or will you have faith that some good will come of this new unknown experience. For me- my signs came in five. Five signs that I couldn't ignore.
Sign 1. It was really random- it started from a facebook request- you know all these friends and family members you have on FB 99% of them you don't talk to and you aren't really sure you have met before, but Facebook seemed to know something that your didn't so you hit the accept button and months or years later you hadn't gotten around to unfriended them. "Can I crash at your place for New Years Eve, me and my three kids (who are all sick with strep) at your small condo?" Don't all jump up at once...but clearly this has to be a sign of the times- things are going to change. I was taken aback, but it was so obvious a sign I couldn't refuse. Signs are often times that good Samaritan act that you have every valid reason to say no, to turn your back, and be justified with every shadow of doubt. I challenge you to say yes. By saying yes you change the route of your journey; it may not be evident at first or at all, but do believe that no good deed goes unnoticed. So while you are reminding those little ones to cover their mouths while their hacking it up and keep repeating "Sharing is Caring" know that your next sign is coming.
Sign 2. The true character of your close ones will be revealed. They will understand for a brief moment in time the beauty of you and the thought of losing your mere existence in their life and they will reveal it in the most profound and simple way- but the hard part here is that you have to devoid yourself from the distraction, from the noise to see and hear this. Take a moment and put the effort into your friendships- someone has reached out with love, but you were too busy to understand this extension of love. Tomorrow I want you to make an effort in return and pick up the phone and call them. No excuses. Pick up the phone like we did fifteen-twenty years ago and have a conversation and make time for them.
Sign 3. Take advice from a young child, the younger the better. They are so innocent and clear- life is simple- its about give and take, say sorry and hug, then we pillow fight and eat chocolate. Kids, especially young kids, are the closest to God in my opinion- I mean how amazing is the process of life right, created from two: a mommy cell and a daddy cell 9 months later this beautiful new creature. From a chronological perspective, they are the closest to the Creator, they have this innate sense of life's balance and God's love before it becomes corrupted by the rest of us. Take heed from them and their cryptic advice that is often tied to some Disney movie metaphor or imaginary Sparto who keeps taking the peppermint candies. If you aren't around kids, now is the time to do someone a good deed and babysit. It's tough being a parent of a youngin' so the fact you are giving a couple a date night, God will surely bless you with a sign out of the mouth of babes.
Sign 4. Dates, pay attention to the calendar. I am a big believer in keeping calendars and writing what is supposed to happen and what actually does and doesn't. Just by keeping track of these things you will see yourself grow over time and patterns will begin to appear. For me the month of February is the worst, it is always seems to be the month where I am challenged emotionally, while March is my rebound month and May- oh May is my month of transformative happiness. If you don't mind the calendar like this- now is the time to start. I am sure it has to do with the stars and astrology and that stuff which is beautiful and I love it- but I live in the city of big lights NYC and it gets cold out here- so a calendar is a lot easier to track than the big dipper.
Sign 5. This post is your sign. Your sign that change is coming. The mere inspiration of me writing these words, you reading them- take it as your sign that change is coming and that you will step up to the plate with confidence, tackling this upcoming experience with grace, courage, and beauty. Its very easy to not open a new door, explore new opportunities, start new relationships but these things allow us to build our legacy, our character, our journey and literally begins with understanding the signs and being open to receive them.
