This week’s quote is a bit long, but I just knew I had to use it. It resonated with me because for the past few days, some events have made me think a lot about our lifelong ‘love affair’ with immediacy. We want it all, and we want it now.

Without realizing it, as we grow older we become more and more stubborn. Stubbornness is different from determination: being adamant about wanting things to be a certain way, and to happen at a certain time that is convenient for us, is not always the best way to go through life. Think about a 3 year old who is frustrated because their mother won’t let them have more than one piece of candy after lunch: if the mother lets the child have as much candy as he wants, as many times as he wants, his health will suffer in the short and long terms. Well – The Universe is a lot like that vigilant mother, who is looking out for our well-being.

How many times do we insist on behaving like that hypothetical 3 year old? We want what we want, and we need it to happen now. That ‘perfect’ partner; the ‘perfect’ house, the ‘perfect’ job, the ‘perfect’ anything that we have decided we need in order to be happy; the ‘ideal’ state we must achieve before feeling fulfilled and at peace.

What happens once we have what we want? We find something else we want. It never stops. We are then tied to the fulfillment of our desires, to getting from point A to point B; blind to the lessons and the gifts we probably received along the way. The Universe is beyond wise: it often ‘sneaks in’ little detours and surprises to wake us up. “Slow down”, says The Universe, “I have something great for you in store, if you are patient enough and learn to open your eyes and your heart”.

Think about it. Who knows? Life could get a lot easier and more beautiful if you just listen to The Universe and accept that everything comes at the right time. Would love to read your thoughts on this at docbeverly@aol.com.