Gazing in the Mirror

February 22 - Trusting It All Works Out, and It Does

Do not now seek the answers,
which cannot be given you because
you would not be able to live them.
And the point is, to live everything.
~ Rainer Maria Rilke

We have within us a power that
is greater than anything that we shall
ever contact in the outer, a power
that can overcome every obstacle
in our life and set us safe, satisfied
and at peace.
~ Ernest Holmes

Continuing my little story of being stranded in St Louis by the ferocious winter storm in February 2013 . . . After my doctor's appointment and a bite of lunch, I headed in the direction of Whole Foods. The north-south interstate was totally snow covered, no lane markings showed, only tire tracks and the vehicle ahead of me to indicate where to drive. Of the 5 actual lanes, the road now only seemed to have 3 lanes widely spaced. Not a snow plow was in sight since the 12 hr work rotation for the drivers had occurred at noon and it was about 12:30pm. I changed onto an east-west interstate and happily there were snow plows working that highway. However they had spread themselves out in such a way that they covered the whole width of that interstate. The traffic behind them crawled at only 10-20 mi/hour. I didn't really mind. I kept safe stopping distances between my vehicle and the others around me.

My husband who was at home called my cell. I described the situation as "interesting". He updated me on the ice accumulating at home. We both began to consider that I really should not try to come home but stay in the city overnight. We have a friend there who we both thought would gladly give me shelter. I called her cell phone but got no answer and I didn't know her work number at Washington University or even the department she had transferred to the year before. I didn't know what to do with myself while I waited for my friend to call me back. My husband suggested I could start my shopping buying only the non-perishable items and whatever stuff wouldn't freeze. Gladly I went to Whole Foods but once there I discovered that they were going to close early though I could still do some shopping in the meantime. At 2:30pm in the afternoon the staff ran all customers out of the store so they could close the store for the night.

I had tried twice to call my friend and still got no response. My husband and I discussed whether I should drive to her apt and wait but I didn't really even know if she was in town and I didn't know what the snow rules were for her narrow street. It was decided that I should go to the closest hotel and get a room. The hotel kindly gave me a "medical" discount. Fortunately the restaurant across the hotel parking lot was going to remain open so I could have dinner. I checked in definitely grateful to be off the roads and followed the news coverage on the TV that quickly confirmed that I had made the right decision. The cost of the room was far less than what might have occurred in a worst case scenario – a towing fee, repairs for damage to our vehicle or injury to myself. Certainly reducing my stress level was worth the cost. I was safe and at peace.

My friend called about an hour and a half later. Something unusual for her had happened. She had awakened late for work and forgotten to take her cell phone in her hurry. It was there at her home still on the charger. It was unusual for her because she rarely was never without it. Although her work had let out early at 3pm, she had to scrape ice off her windshield and then manage the slow traffic to eke her way home. We shared with one another how perfect it all was. What a luxury it was to have so much "alone" time when that is so rare in my daily life. She agreed with me that all the reasons I had come to the city in spite of the ominous weather forecast were valid. My trip was going to be completely successful because all of my errands would be fulfilled. I had a nice dinner and fell asleep by 8:30pm. Then because I am not used to going to sleep so early (standard bedtimes in my home are no earlier than midnight and often as late as 2am) I started waking up every hour to see if it was late enough to get up. I got up at 6am and checked out early in order to be at Whole Foods at 9am when they re-opened.

What a difference one night can make !! What a blessing to have followed my inner guidance and stayed put. The roads were all clear. I went to the AT&T Store to discover what was wrong with my iPhone and its data access. It turned out to be all the YouTubes that my youngest and his older brother watched on my phone during the days that we were on our long journey. Since I had never anticipated that much usage, I had bought a minimal data plan. AT&T was actually quite nice about it once I explained the temporary nature of the situation. They gave me a huge credit and in return I agreed to a small increase in my monthly data plan. However no one bothered to mention to me the data block that was set to last until the end of May (3 mos away). It was something that the system automatically does. However, the bill had been paid and so the customer service rep was able to reset my access and allow it to function again – immediately.

As I got close to home, I saw the huge amount of ice that had deposited itself on the tree limbs and again I felt truly grateful for how well cared for I am when I cooperate with the guidance of Spirit within me. Our county road had not been cleared but the day had warmed enough to see dirt under the tire tracks. I returned home completely safe and relatively well rested. I had not made any mistakes at all in ignoring the dread I felt about making the trip. Life had "adjusted" itself to my choices because deep within I always know that "all is well" regardless.

~ perspective

I am grateful for the way Life
responds to my needs perfectly.
I know that I am always protected
and always provided for and that
knowing always proves itself to me.
I have developed a great deal of
trust and faith in the Divine Intelligence
that knows all.
I understand the activity of Spirit as
that which connects me to all things
and all people.
I cooperate with Life and life adjusts
to my decisions – in that understanding
lies a perfect peace.

#choice #decision #family #friends #guidance #peace #safety #snow #solitude #validation