Ever notice that in life you keep repeating the same experiences? 

Or perhaps the same type of people keep popping up in your life- and not in the loving way you would like, but in the can they be any more annoying way?  These patterns are put in place to teach us. 

Every soul comes with a list of universal lessons that we have chosen to learn during our time here.  If we choose to ignore these lessons, the Universe will continue to provide us with the opportunity to learn and master them- whether we want to or not.

One of my lessons is to accept help from others in a gracious and loving matter.  As an independent, and more than slightly stubborn person, this is extremely challenging.  The best way to describe my approach to help is to picture a toddler who sticks out their chin and every opportunity and says "I do it!"  Yep...I've been prone to tantrums and would rather sit in the corner and sulk than reach out for help. 

Intuitively, I know that when someone offers to help me, they are acknowledging that I'm important to them.  But still, I rationalize help away by thinking that I'm imposing, or being burdensome.  Since I haven't willingly embraced help, the Universe intervenes- offering me opportunities to learn this lesson, again and again.

Lately these lessons having been coming fast and loud. Unmistakable in their "in your face" veracity.

Being 50 years old, doesn't mean that I'm immune to making poor choices. 

Recently, I decided to change a light bulb in the chandelier above my kitchen table. (insert every light bulb joke you know...)

Deciding to take the easiest and quickest route, I stood on the table to accomplish the task (yep..you know what's coming!)  As I was getting ready to disembark from the table, it tilted- shifting my balance and causing more than one expletive to be uttered. (use your own imagination) 

I fell in a spectacular fashion landing on my back, missing the corner of the kitchen counter and the sliding glass door by inches.  My angels were shaking their head at my...yes...let's say it...stupidity, but they protected my from a really nasty outcome.

In the past, I would've laid on my kitchen floor and tried to figure everything out on my own.  In fact my second thought (after my prayer of gratitude) was "crap this is a universal lesson."  I reached out to my tribe and was blessed by an out pouring of love and assistance.  For over a week, I had to depend on others to help me with tasks around the house, driving and emotional support.

I'm learning.  It helps to be able to recognize when a universal lesson shows up, because the only was to prevent the lesson from happening over and over again- is to learn it! 

So how do we know when we are being bombarded with a lesson?

• We look for the patterns.  If you encounter the same obstacle over and over again, it's a lesson.  For example, if your boss keeps asking you to work late without compensation or acknowledgement while your co-workers head home...dig deep, what is the lesson?  The Universe may be trying to teach you to honor your own boundaries and speak up for yourself.
• We examine our own perceived weaknesses.  What makes your truly uncomfortable?  What conflicts do you avoid like the plague?  I've an issue with speaking up for myself.  So I'm offered many opportunities to honor myself and speak up.  I may be extremely uncomfortable when I say "That's not right or that's not my understanding," but I feel amazing afterward and celebrate my victory.
• We honor the lesson for what it's teaching us.  The Universe is Love, so all our lesson are rooted in love.  When we realize that the Universe is helping us grow, we can appreciate the lesson for what it truly is...a blessing.  It may not feel bountiful when we are in the midst of learning, but upon reflection we can see how these lesson make us stronger.

The same lesson can come in may forms.  If you a take a moment to look at your work life, your relationships and your own sense of self - you will discover and learn the lesson the Universe is teaching you.  What lessons are sitting right in front of you?

Originally Published 03-25-2018