One morning, I slid into a vacant seat beside a window at the back of the bus. After I sat down and got comfortable I glanced up to see a small square yellow sticky note. It was neatly written and taped to the back of the seat in front of me. The note read: Something Wonderful is about to happen.

My heart felt a skip of expectancy reading those words. A glimmer of my inner child squirmed with anticipation at the promise of grand adventures and unbridled play. I glanced at the other passengers around me. Fellow passengers remained sleepy and bored, noticing nothing. Yet, I felt as though some mysterious stranger had just handed me a delicious secret in the form of these six simple words: Something Wonderful is about to happen.

A sense of expectancy stayed with me all day, like a precious box filled with treasure and magic and light. Nothing extraordinary happened but the swell of potential made my eyes shine. My interactions with others were more joyful, authentic, and filled with ease.

Something Wonderful is about to happen.

I try to remember these words when the weariness of life takes hold and unwelcome patterns taint my thoughts and deeds.

Yet, if I were to gaze clearly upon each passing day, I would discover that Something Wonderful has indeed come to pass, whether I was aware of it or not. Small acts of kindness, quiet beauty, simple truths, are proof. Something wonderful exists not only in the wild pulse of potential, but gently, in the silent happenings tucked within the folds of the everyday.

The reality is, we must allow ourselves to be consumed by the messiness of life in order to then rise above it. Some days, however, the best we can do is remain fully immersed, while hoping to witness something wonderful unfolding before us like tiny beams of pressed light. Why?

Universal Promise: You can be angry, resentful, scared, but I shall continue to send you a steady stream of something wonderful, regardless of whether you think yourselves worthy; regardless of deeds done or not. I shall continue to send you something wonderful no matter what.

Do you know that for some, something wonderful is simply to have someone in their life that cares? For others, something wonderful is the opportunity to look deeply, one last time, into the eyes of someone they’ve lost and say: “I love you. Even when I didn’t show it, I have always loved you.” Something wonderful exists in the things we take for granted each day, and the people we care about most.

Conflict and perceived difficulties are a gift. If you find yourself continually walking away from the opportunity to fully know yourself and others by not resolving conflict, you are denying the promise of something wonderful. The invitation to share and connect with another, difficult as it may seem, is the greatest gift we can receive on this human journey.

A friend of mine once told me that a question she often asks herself is: What would love do? The simple act of asking this question softens the heart and invites the forces of grace to enter. This is no small happening, for this silent force has the power to change your life.

So, if you find yourself stuck in anger and resentment, wanting to walk away from a person or difficult situation, ask yourself: What would love do?

Without question, Love would challenge you to share openly, listen fully, and say I’m sorry. Love would remind you to show appreciation for the qualities you admire in another, and to try and accept those you don’t. Love would yield, always, to the power of kindness and right action, toward yourself and others.

Far from being some romantic ideal, the path of Love is not always easy. For this reason, Love will gently remind us to forgive ourselves and others for having gone astray.

Being deeply immersed in the muck of life is when to remember that we can choose to see things differently. That is Something Wonderful. To ask ourselves over and over again: What would love do? What would love do? What would love do? Then to have the courage to take small, quiet actions that will incite positive and lasting change.

Something Wonderful is happening all the time; right here and now. It is in the silent bows of gratitude for one more day. In the sweet slope of surrender, the steady chime of truth. It is in hearts that swing open and eyes that soften and sway. Can you feel the energy of something wonderful swirling around and within you? Can you see the glowing beacons that gently light your way?

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