I believe that all things happen for a reason and sometimes we can’t even see that reason until many years later. However, those that have clarity and are paying attention to the universe, can see and feel the way the universe communicates to you. Feel free to swap out ‘the universe’ with your favorite deity or guiding angel if that’s your thing. I have way too many thoughts running through my head at all times to truly master this skill but it is something I practice regularly. This might sound hippie or too far out for some people but if I could explain it in relation to sports, it’s like being ‘in the zone’.
It’s like things are moving at a slower pace and you have awareness of things you normally don’t. This creates a perception that things are easier and you can pay attention to things you normally wouldn’t, all while accomplishing the normal tasks of whatever it is you are doing. With so many things going on at any given moment in our lives, sometimes it’s as simple as a signal that you feel in your gut that guides your decision.
Think about when you meet a new person, whether casually or in a work setting, it only takes a moment to decide how much you like the person. Why is that? A perfect example of this is if you have ever had to hire someone (and if not, you’ve probably heard something similar). You meet a candidate for a position you are trying to hire for. After a couple rounds of interviews, the person is brought on to the team. A few months later that person has become problematic and you have to let them go. Then at that moment, you’re reminded of a brief moment when you first met the person and think, ‘I should have known better’ or ‘I should have trusted my intuition’.
I believe these types of things are bigger than us. I believe that there are signals that we pick up on that can help us make better decisions in our lives if we are paying attention to the universe, if we are in the zone, if we are aware.
I’m sure I am not the only one that you have heard talk about this but I do have another perspective on it that you might find interesting. I think the universe reminds us of times that it was trying to guide us.
Recently, I read an article about the footwear brand Tom’s being taken over by creditors. For those not familiar with the company, Tom’s mission was to give a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair the company sold. To create a business that’s goal was to give back was admirable, to say the least. Especially in the footwear business. Ever since the brand started in 2006, I had considered working with them in some way because I felt that I’d get more personal satisfaction from doing so than I would with the more traditional businesses in footwear. The company’s approach to giving ‘one for one’ has resulted in them donating nearly 100 million pairs of shoes since it started. Although, in recent years the business model as changed to accommodate the new financial backers who need to pay off debt and turn a profit.
Reading this was disappointing, as I am the type of person that loves to see companies bucking the system to do something good. Yes, I am aware that Tom’s is a for-profit business, but I don’t see anything wrong with making money, especially when you are also doing so much to make the world a better place for the people that get overlooked. One thing that I took away from reading this, however, was how it was a reminder to myself that the universe was speaking to me a few years back.
A while back, Tom’s reached out to me about a position the company was looking to fill. I was surprised to say the least but I was honored that they would reach out to me. For the sneakerheads that know me it might come as a surprise, but this was an opportunity I was quite excited about pursuing. As the conversation progressed, it seemed like a great opportunity for me. The location was good. The position was good. The pay was good. But for some reason, I just had a feeling it wasn’t the right thing for me at the time. I didn’t know it at the time but now as I see the turmoil that the company has been going through, I look back and I’m reminded that I had that feeling of something just isn’t quite right, even though I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Must have been my soul just paying attention to the universe.