Alexandra: Hello, dear Universe. Have you been observing me this weekend?

Universe: Why do you ask?

A: Because if you have, you’ve seen me arrive late at three of the four places I went to.

U: Well yes, since you asked. We observed that through your eyes and your feelings.

A: I haven’t chanted about it yet, but my gut feeling is that it’s something to do with begrudging.

U: Interesting. How so?

A: Well, this is a nascent idea, but my guess is that I begrudge having to go to bed. I mean, I still phrase it as “having to go to bed.” Which is what happened when I was a kid. I was forced to go to bed at ridiculously early hours, which I resented and felt was deeply unfair. Even though I’m many decades out of that situation, I think I’m still reacting to it. So I begrudge and put off going to bed, even though I love going to sleep. Then when I wake up in the morning, I begrudge getting out of bed!

So I feel tired all the time, and I arrive late nearly all the time. It’s tiresome!

U: May we inquire why you’re talking about this with us?

U You may! I had a phenomenal body massage today and during the treatment, I promised my body to give it more sleep. I voiced this aloud, in the presence of my amazing massage therapist.

And right now, I must say, even though I love discoursing with you, dear Universe, and I feel supremely privileged to be able to do so, I would like to leave you soon, so I can start making my promise a reality.

U: We like this change in you. If you maintain it, it will have major beneficial repercussions for your life.

A: And my health, and my feelings about myself. So to quote an ancient Jewish sage, “If not now, when?” In six days’ time, I’ll have lived for 72 years, so I think it’s about time that I make this change!

U: Very good, dear one. We applaud your spirit. And should you, shall we say, slip occasionally…

A: I’ll remember my mentor Daisaku Ikeda’s teaching: “If you fall down seven times, get up an eighth. Don’t give up when you feel discouraged – just pick yourself up and renew your determination each time.”

Universe: Just so! Pleasant dreams, dear one!

Photo by Maeghan Smulders on Unsplash