“The unexpected is just my way of preparing you for more than you knew to ask for.” – Mike Dooley, Notes From The Universe
A friend of mine has a young son who is currently experiencing anxiety. When recently discussing this challenge with me, she said, “If I hadn’t met you, I wouldn’t have the empathy nor the understanding of this condition.” My friend’s comment was inspired by the fact that before meeting me, she had never known someone to deal with anxiety and talk about it openly. In other words, from her relationship with me, she received an education of sorts. And right about now, this education that she has received from me doesn’t feel so random. No, quite the opposite – it appears to be brimming with purpose. Pure perfection. Like a brilliant move made during a chess game. My friend had been secretly “groomed” for the unknown. And in that moment, she put it together – she saw that her experience with me had been well-planned, well-timed, and well-orchestrated on her behalf.
Perfectly unsolicited education = “grooming”.
How many times in your life have you had that very same moment? That moment when you connect the dots. That moment when you realize that the only reason you can rise and shine is because you gained knowledge, a skill, or an experience earlier on. The only reason you are able to do this now or are ready for this big opportunity now is because of some unplanned events and circumstances that lie within your past.
This is the “grooming” that you have received (and will continue to receive) throughout your whole life. These unsought educations are all the tiny miracles along your journey because they provide what your soul needs in order to live out its agenda here in time and space. Divine guidance.
There is so much light in asking yourself, “How could this be serving the agenda of my soul?”
You are likely serving the world in the way that you do each day because of some seriously fabulous “grooming” by the universe. Can you see how you received an education for this something that back then sat in the future waiting for you to catch up?
My time in stand-up comedy perfectly “groomed” me for the inspirational speaking career I have now. I didn’t plan on being a professional speaker, but damn, now looking back at all those nights in comedy clubs, if I wasn’t in speaking boot camp. What an education. I have been performing on stage since about age eight so sometimes the “grooming” process is a long one. And the way I can connect my laptop to a projection system like a pro is thanks to the many training sessions I delivered throughout the Human Resources career I had after I quit doing stand-up. Tech boot camp. What an education.
The “grooming” process is not confined to merely professional endeavours. I am the kind of partner I am today because of the hard lessons I learned from my past relationships. Many heart-opening exercises preparing me for the full pose.
My mother (and my main spiritual teacher) often uses the metaphor of a piece on a chess board to describe the “grooming” process and its perfection. You are moved to certain spots with a grander plan in mind.
The trick is to remember that you are always being lovingly and purposefully guided around the chess board of life.
There is nothing out of order.
May you revel in the mystery by knowing that in some way, you are receiving some sort of perfect education right now.