The Universe: We hear you’re not feeling so well today.

Alexandra: That’s right.

U: So we’ll keep it short then.

A: Thank you. I’d like to talk about faith.

U: And keep it short? That’s a weighty topic, surely?

A: Certainly could be, so may I get right to the point?

U: By all means.

A: I prayed about something yesterday that manifested exactly as I had prayed.

U: Are you surprised by that?

A: Well, yes and no. I believed my prayer would be answered. It was a very different sort of experience for me for precisely that reason.

U: Since you brought it up, we’ve noticed that often you pray with hope but not belief.

A: I know. And also with a distracted mind. My mouth chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo but my mind is all over the place.

U: It’s hard to hit a target like that.

A: Tell me about it! But yesterday I focused on what I wanted and needed. Then I finished chanting, and I trusted that all is well in my world. I even said that aloud, as I started the car engine to drive to my friend’s home.

U: What happened?

A: I made mistakes following the GPS – two mistakes, as a matter of fact. And I still believed all would be well. And in retrospect, maybe what my left-brain – and my GPS – thought were mistakes actually weren’t, because they led me to a flipping perfect free parking spot, just up the road from where my friend lives. Finding an easy parking spot was in my prayer, together with a safe and swift journey. And that’s how it happened, both there and back. I could feel The Universe – You! – supporting me.

U: It was a great pleasure. When you tell us clearly what you want or need and we can feel your faith, it’s a joy for us to respond to you.

A: Thank you. I also liked the lesson you gave me that just because things don’t work out exactly as I planned, that doesn’t mean they’re not going to work out at all. I got close to feeling ratty before I came across the parking spot you prepared for me, because I had no idea really where I was. But you knew where I was. And I thank you.

U: You’re more than welcome.

A: If you don’t mind I’ll away now. I learned today that women need eight to 10 hours of sleep a night, so I’m resolved to at least get eight before the workday starts tomorrow.

U: Very admirable. You’re doing well, dear one. We’re happy for you.

A: Thanks!

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash