As I stepped out of the elevator at 5am, I pulled out my ride-share app and ordered a car to take us to DAL airport for our flight home. I was advised that my ride was 12 minutes out as we walked out the hotel front door. I shared with my husband, Jeff – who had served as a conference photographer for the past few days – the name of the driver and details. A few minutes later I referenced the app and noticed the app had switched our driver to Sam, a man whose presence would soon prove vital.
As we settled into the backseat, conversation with Sam flowed naturally. We discovered mutual interests, including our shared journey as black belts in Tae Kwon Do. The ride was smooth, and our spirits were high as we cruised down the Dallas Toll Road North. Traffic was fairly heavy, even at 5am on a weekend. It was a typical early morning commute… until it wasn’t.
**WARNING** Graphic Content
Fifteen minutes into the ride, we were in the middle lane with an 18-wheeler to our right and another car speeding along to our left in the fast lane. Suddenly and without warning, the trucker locked up his brakes. The massive vehicle skidded into our middle lane just in front of us, tires screeching as smoke billowed. Sam’s quick reflexes took over. He maneuvered our car to the left and into the fast lane, dodging cars and skillfully steering us away from danger.
As we passed the truck, a chilling sight caught my eye. Through the gap between the cab and the trailer, I saw a woman with long, dark hair clad in all black standing defiantly in the middle of the right hand lane. Her hands in her back pockets, she stood motionless and with no expression. Feet planted firmly shoulder width across, she was staring down the traffic propelling toward her. I instantly understood that she had chosen to step in front of the semi. She had deliberately placed herself in harm’s way. The second this thought registered, I exclaimed, “She wants to be hit!” As I immediately dialed 911, we zipped past what appeared to be her abandoned vehicle – lights on, pulled to the side of the road with no one in the car. The 911 operator said that she could see the woman on the tollway camera and first responders would race to get to her.
Reflecting on that morning, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude for Sam’s alertness and decisive action. But even more so, I recognize the Universe’s subtle orchestration in the change of drivers. I believe that this shift was more than a random driver change – rather, a nudge from the Universe aligning events for our safety.
This experience underscores my powerful belief that the Universe is always rearranging itself for our benefit. In the face of life’s unpredictability and challenges, this belief is a game-changer. My cell phone background image showcases a beautiful Oahu coastline/beach (my happy place!) with a few mantras typed out as reminders. My phone alarm is set to go off every 4 hours: 8am- Noon – 4pm – 8pm. The alarm reminds me to not just recite these mantras, but to sit tall, close my eyes, feel the truth in each phrase and embody their meaning.
– Every day and in every way, universal life force energy flows to me and through me with ease and grace and joy
– I am positively expecting exceptional results no matter what I see before me
– The Universe is rearranging itself in my best interest right now(…. and now…. and now….)
While I don’t know what transpired at that near-accident scene after we drove away, I want to believe that the woman received help. As I energetically send her love, peace, comfort, I simultaneously feel the benefits of those emotions, as well gratitude.
Mindfulness and gratitude are pivotal in coping with intense experiences. They keep us grounded, allowing us to move through adversity with a sense of calm and clarity. When we are present, we open ourselves to life’s lessons, finding growth in unexpected places.
Consider the moments when the Universe might have been guiding you, even in ways that weren’t immediately apparent. When we trust that each twist and turn in the road is part of a grander design, aligning for our greater good, this understanding can be a source of comfort and inspiration as we navigate all of our experiences with strength, grace, and ease.
Namaste.
