Our desire for control can lead to stress, anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from the natural flow of life. Learning to trust in the universe – or whatever higher power or natural order you believe in – can transform your greatest challenges into your most unexpected blessings.
When Chaos Leads to Serendipity
The universe has an uncanny ability to orchestrate events in ways we could never predict.
It was nearing the end of an exhausting 11-hour shift as a bike cab driver in Nashville. I was taking a much-needed breather on a street corner when a young woman approached me, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Do you know where Broadway is?" she asked, her voice quivering.
"Yeah," I nodded, "What's wrong?"
That's when she broke down, explaining that her phone was dead and she was lost after a heated argument with her boyfriend. He hadn't followed her when she stormed off, leaving her stranded in an unfamiliar city.
Something tugged at my heart. "I can help you find your Airbnb," I offered, even though she couldn't pay me due to her dead phone.
As we pedaled uphill, the universe decided to throw us a curveball. A voice called out my name – it was a woman I'd given a ride to a couple of days ago. "Hey! You put in your name but forgot to give me your number!" she shouted.
Whenever I drop people off, I give them my contact info in hopes of repeat business.
"No way!" I pulled over, chuckling about my forgetfulness and the low likelihood of running into her again. That's when I noticed the portable charger in her hand. It was as if the universe had lined up this exact moment.
"Would you mind if we charged her phone for a few minutes?" I asked, pointing to the lady on the back of my carriage. The woman agreed without hesitation.
What happened next was nothing short of magical. My previous customer decided to join us on our quest to find the Airbnb and offered to pay me for the ride back. As we rode together, laughter replaced tears, and strangers became friends. We shared stories, offered relationship advice, and marveled at the strange twists of fate that had brought us together.
By the time we found the Airbnb, the mood had completely shifted. The once-distraught young woman was beaming, completely overwhelmed by the turn of events. Now that her phone was charged, she insisted on paying me generously, and I was immensely grateful.
As I drove my previous customer and new friend back to town, I couldn't help but reflect on the beautiful chaos of it all. What started as a potentially negative situation had transformed into a display of human connection and unexpected blessings.
This experience once again reinforced something I've been focusing on lately: when we release our grip on how things "should" be, we open ourselves to possibilities beyond our imagination. The universe had orchestrated a series of events that not only solved a problem but created joy, connection, and even financial reward – all because I chose to trust and go with the flow.
The Role of Stress: Friend or Foe?
Sometimes, our greatest moments of growth come when we're teetering on the edge of frustration.
Before my "coincidental" encounter with the distressed lady, I was dealing with my own bout of stress. It had been a slow day, and I hadn't had a ride in over an hour and a half. As a bike cab driver, time without customers means no income, and the pressure was starting to build.
In moments like these, it's easy to let stress take over. The mind races, creating worst-case scenarios and amplifying every negative thought. But here's the thing about stress – it's not inherently bad. It's our relationship with it that determines its impact on our lives.
That day, instead of spiraling into worry, I chose to view the lull in business as an opportunity. Maybe the universe was giving me a chance to rest after several busy days. Perhaps something interesting was right around the corner. This shift in perspective didn't magically bring customers, but it did something equally valuable – it kept me open and receptive.
And that's when the magic happened. When working, I don't usually sit in one place for very long – especially this spot. My intuition was signaling for me to stay for a bit, so I did. Had I been peddling around in search of customers, I might have missed the young woman in need. I might not have been in the right headspace to offer help without guarantee of payment. The beautiful chain of events that followed might never have occurred.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson about stress:
Stress as a Signal: Rather than an enemy to be vanquished, stress can be seen as a signal. It's our body and mind telling us that something needs our attention. In my case, the stress of a slow day was a reminder of my financial goals and the need to stay proactive.
The Power of Reframing: By reframing the situation – viewing the lull as a rest rather than a failure – I was able to maintain a positive outlook. This mental shift kept me open to opportunities that stress might have otherwise blinded me to.
Stress as a Catalyst: Sometimes, a bit of stress can be the push we need to take action or make changes. The key is not to eliminate stress entirely, but to channel it productively.
Trust as an Antidote: Cultivating trust in the universe, or in the general flow of life, can be a powerful antidote to chronic worry. It doesn't mean ignoring real problems, but rather approaching challenges with a sense of curiosity and openness.
Remember, some of life's most beautiful moments occur when we're teetering on the edge of our comfort zone.
Redefining Faith: The Dance of Action and Surrender
Faith evolves into a practical philosophy of trust and inspired action.
For years, I've grappled with the concept of faith. Having grown up in and since leaving Mormonism (the LDS church), my journey of deconstruction has left me wary of anything that resembles blind belief. The word "faith" itself has left a bad taste in my mouth, as I believe it had been weaponized to control me.
Yet, as I've navigated some crazy life challenges over the past few years, I've found myself experiencing what I can honestly describe as "trials of faith" - not in Jesus or the church, but in myself (which is huge) and the fundamental nature of reality. These experiences have allowed me to reconsider what faith can mean in the context of my current world-view.
It's not about blind belief in a deity or obedience to strict dogma. Instead, it's about recognizing the patterns of abundance and support that already exist in nature and the human experience.
But that's all pretty high-concept.
There are small things that have led me to question my view of faith too — like how each time I get in the car, I have faith that the accelerator will move the car.
But it won't move the car on its own - I still need to press the pedal.
The Faith and Works Paradox
In Christianity, there's a longstanding debate about "faith without works is dead" versus salvation by grace alone. Some believe that faith alone is enough, while others argue that faith must be accompanied by actions. This parallels our discussion about trusting the universe: I think it's not enough to simply believe that things will work out – we also need to take inspired action.
However, my approach differs from traditional religious interpretations. I'm not seeking salvation or divine favor, but rather aligning myself with the natural flow of the universe. It's about recognizing that while I have the power to set intentions and take action, I won't always have control over the outcomes.
Striking the Balance
Here's how we can find equilibrium between faith (trust) and works (action):
Set Clear Intentions: Define what you want to achieve, but release attachment to how it will manifest. This is your "faith" – your belief in what's possible.
Take Inspired Action: This is the "works" part. Act on opportunities that align with your goals, but remain open to unexpected paths.
Recognize Synchronicities: Pay attention to "coincidences" and unexpected opportunities. These are often signs that you're in flow with the universe.
Embrace Uncertainty: View challenges as potential blessings in disguise. Remember, the universe often has plans that exceed our limited perspective.
Practice Gratitude: Acknowledge the good in your life, no matter how small. This trains your brain to see the good in seemingly negative situations and keeps you receptive to abundance.
A New Understanding of Faith
By cultivating trust in the universe – or the interconnectedness of all things – we open ourselves to possibilities that may not be logically predictable but still happen somehow.
A commonly taught principle of the Law of Attraction, focusing on the "what" and "why" of our aspirations while letting go of the "how" creates space for the universe to work its magic. This approach combines the best of both worlds – the proactive stance of "faith with works" and the surrender and trust implied in "salvation by grace."
In essence, redefining faith for yourself means embracing both action and surrender. It's about moving forward with clear intentions and inspired actions, while remaining open to the universe's often surprising ways of fulfilling your deepest desires.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Trust
Start Small: Practice letting go in low-stakes situations to build confidence.
Keep a Synchronicity Journal: Document unexpected positive events to reinforce your trust. This also builds trust in your intuition ;)
Meditation, Grounding, etc: Nurture your connection to something greater than yourself.
Take Inspired Action: Act on intuitive nudges and opportunities that align with your goals.
Practice Patience: Remember that timing is everything, and most things take time to manifest.
As you incorporate these practices into your life, you may find yourself experiencing more "lucky" coincidences, unexpected support, and a greater sense of flow in your daily experiences.
Embracing the Flow of Life
Learning to trust in the universe – or the natural order of things – doesn't mean abandoning responsibility or ambition. It's good to have plans, goals, and desires. It's not good to force your will onto everything in your life.
Instead, I'm finding more peace by harmonizing my efforts with the greater forces at play. By building this trust, I'm learning to navigate life's challenges with less stress and greater ease.
There are far more outlandish stories I could've used to illustrate this article. However, I wanted to use something recent and somewhat mundane to show that practicing faith in yourself and the universe doesn't require life-changing events.
The next time you're faced with stress and uncertainty, take a deep breath (a classic antidote) and remember: sometimes, the best thing you can do is let go and trust that things will unfold better than you could've planned on your own.
Question of the Week:
What unexpected blessings have you experienced when you've let go of control? How might embracing uncertainty lead to greater fulfillment in your life?