The world works to guide us in mysterious ways. Over the last 36 hours or so, I have had a number of random thoughts - and some focused ones too - about what I want to do with the rest of my life and career.  There are LOTS of potential opportunities on the horizon along with some confusion about what steps to take. It's all been very overwhelming and I;ve actually felt like I have been trying to force the future to reveal itself or happen faster. 
So yesterday I decided to take off unexpectedly to Hanging Rock State Park for a day of nature, solitude and exercise.

As I packed for my mini-escape, there was one CD in particular I wanted to take, but I couldn't find it anywhere. (In case you're interested, it was Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. It came out in 1992 - years before anyone knew who they were - and is in fact better than anything else they've ever done in my opinion. I know every word to every song and it always puts me in a fantastic mood.) Anyway, I couldn't find it, so I picked out an Earth, Wind and Fire compilation, some Kylie Minogue and a few dance tunes to make my 60 mile journey sail by.

The trip was a great success. I hiked up to the top of the mountain as well down to a couple of waterfalls and around another nature trail - about 5.6 miles in total. It was gorgeous, sunny and breezy, and just the right temperature - and exactly what I needed. I got a great workout, lots of fresh air, and actually did some networking for my massage practice (yes I actually had business cards on me.) I also listened to the wisdom in the water, wind, and from a Boy Scout named Lewis who stumbled into my path on the descent down the hill.

I also took the time to find a shady, quiet spot to write in my journal for a bit. It helps me immensely to get all the jumbled thoughts in my head onto paper. Nothing like clearing out the mental cobwebs of  an already busy mind.  Among my ramblings were ideas about how focus my energy and be "more myself." It included things like meditating and praying, working out more regularly than I have the last few weeks, planting flowers I love, growing a vegetable garden, getting rid of actual clutter around my house, and learning a new language (or at least trying to learn one).

On my way home from the park, I took a wrong turn and ended up going by a large farmer's market that I hadn't planned on visiting. Perhaps not destiny as much as a bad sense of direction led me there, but I decided to take advantage of the error all the same. I bought a couple of pink geraniums for my front porch and a few veggies for a pint-size veggie garden (tomatoes, squash, zucchini and banana peppers.) When I got home, I potted the geraniums and began getting ready to plant the veggies. And today the inner and outer clearing and decluttering has continued.

As I was wrapping up the last of my outdoor activities of the morning, I had a sudden urge to look in the basement for something I needed for the yard. What I was looking for wasn't there but as I headed back upstairs, I saw a box on a shelf I hadn't noticed before that seemed like it was waiting for me. I pulled it out and saw a few things of interest right on top (a yoga strap, a Caroline Myss tape series on meditation and prayer, and a "Drive Time" CD series for learning Spanish among other odds and ends.) How awesome to find a box of stuff seeming related to my list from the day before!?! So I took the box upstairs and sat down to go through the rest of it.

And do you know what else was in that box? The CD I was looking for yesterday (yes I am listening to it now as I write) along with a card that said: "DESTINY - You can look...and you will find it. You can not look...and you will find it. That which is yours surely will come to you." OK world, I am listening, and not just to BNE.

So my answer to the question about destiny is YES. I do believe in it and that everything happens for a reason. What I think may be more important for me to remember is to take the time to slow down, listen to my inner wisdom, and practice what makes me feel the most connected to myself and life. When I do that, destiny and life seems to flow and through me so much more easily than when I try so hard to figure things out or make them happen. And worry less about "that which is mine" finding me.

Namaste - and Happy Memorial Day