U/B 12: When the universe speaks, are you listening?
Manifesting diamond rings. Plus, I chatted with a priest on my flight back from the path of totality and learned how to hear God. Sort of.
Here’s your weekly reminder to look for and choose what serves you. What might be useful and beautiful for you today?
Hi!
Did you find any 4-leaf clovers or silver linings last week? Did you even look?
I did! Well, no clovers. They were still dormant up north where I traveled to be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse and to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday. There was a legit beautiful silver lining around the sun. Did you get to see it?
Oh! And I learned afterwards (from my 11-yo) that the “diamond ring” effect during a solar eclipse is related to by Baily’s beads, when the sun shines through the mountain valleys on the moon. Science!
That reminds me…
In my letter about finding what you look for, I didn’t tell you that I once found a diamond ring (a vintage wedding band) in the grass. It’s funny… I always sort of knew I’d find a diamond ring one day. I’ve been scanning the ground for treasure — clovers, fossils, shells, etc — since I was a kid.
Looking for something improves your chances of finding it (duh). But this ring was a different scenario. I didn’t find it because I was looking at the ground. Well, I did. But the weird part is that it was in my front yard.
I promise you there are not diamond rings in everyone’s front yard and you’d find one if you just looked. This was an anomaly. Like, maybe manifestation isn’t just about access, like I previously believed.
It’s scientifically impossible to conjure a diamond ring out of thin air. But maybe my childhood wishes put energy into the universe? Like the butterfly effect — tiny actions can set of a chain of events that would be impossible to track.
Or maybe the woman who lost that wedding ring put into motion a desire for me to find it. That it wouldn’t be crushed or lost forever to the earth, but that someone would discover it and cherish it for the miraculous treasure it turned out to be.
So.
I could chalk it up to coincidence.
OR
I could listen for what the universe might be telling me. Take this moment to imagine possibilities beyond boring ol’ science.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m into science. Big fan. Medical science is why I believed my doctor when she told me I had cancer even though I couldn’t see it or feel it. Science is useful. It’s just not the only truth. It can’t explain everything.
You know a diamond ring is real because you can see it (repeatably observable = science). I think a person’s lived experience is also a kind of truth — their truth. Even if you can’t see it, can’t imagine it, it is real.
So, what do you think when someone claims to have experienced something that you cannot see? They tell you it’s possible, it’s happened to them. Do you believe them?
Hearing the call
I met a Dominican priest1 on the plane this week who told me about the first time he heard God. True story. He wore the white robes and everything (On the plane. Not when he discerned God’s call. The robes came later).
We chatted about divine providence, free will, subjective judgment, and knowing vs believing.
Deep conversation for a 30-minute plane ride, right? I’ve never been great at small talk.
I asked “Did you always know you’d… um… do this kind of work?” He laughed and told me “no”, then proceeded to describe a life that totally says I’m going to become a priest someday: Being raised Catholic, attending parochial school, earning bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees in Biblical Studies, becoming a professor of Theology.
Apparently, he’d resisted the call to priesthood for years, even as friends and strangers alike would assume that was his path (because of the everything about him) and say as much. He’d heard it so often, he assumed it probably was his path… in the future.
Then one day it clicked. He was traveling with a Jesuit and a Franciscan and realized all that was missing from it being a bad joke was a Dominican. Which was him.
He was already on the path.
God had been telling him all those years, through other people, through his own thoughts, that he was meant to join the Dominican order. On that day, he finally heard.
But he still had to act, to choose, to make it real. That’s the part about free will. God had a plan (providence) and was dropping hints, speaking through other people, all without imposing the choice.
What I’m learning this week
When God (the universe, the sprit, the divine, #diety) speaks, it’s often subtle. Mundane, even. Before you can answer the call, you must recognize it for what it is.
Be open. Be aware. Listen to the spells cast by those around you. Look for patterns.
Basically, don’t wait for a sign. Go look for one.
Talking to strangers on a plane is not my forte. But something told me to make the effort. The teacher appears when the student is ready2, right?
One last thing
That thing you want to try? You may never feel ready. Be willing, instead.
Go forth into the unknown, friend!
That is all.
Or not.
Who likes these things, anyway? As if a passing note would spur you into action.
It could plant a seed though.
Maybe someday, you’ll be on the edge of a decision, a little scared or skeptical.
You’ll pause, and something in your gut (the seedling 🌱) will reach up and tap your brain and whisper…
“Hey. The universe says you’re ready. Let’s go.”✨
Thank you for choosing to read my words. Your attention is a generous gift.
Love,
Kate
p.s. If you’re reading this, then I might be the universe speaking to you. What might it be telling you?
p.p.s. Like this letter? Help others get value from it, too. Please tap the heart, forward to a friend, share on your socials. Pretty please. Thank you.
p.p.p.s. Feeling stuck? I coach brilliant people who want to make serious progress in their lives. Send me a note if that sounds interesting.
p.p.p.p.s.p.s.p.s.p.s.
I’m going to refer to him as “the priest” because I’m not sure if he’s a Friar or Father or what’s accurate. Nor did I get his permission to share this story. And it’s probably factually incorrect. As the author, I take creative liberties. Voila! Excuses.
Are you tired of this quote yet? I feel like I keep using it. But it’s so true! There are always opportunities to learn if you’re open to it.
Kate, I love this so much! I've never found a diamond ring but have had many other affirming things happens. It's great to read your post as a reminder to open the viewfinder, to trust in the unseen.
Thank you!