Trust.
Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense regardless of how it turns out.
-Vaclav Havel
The only thing you can have control over, in your human form, are your actions and reactions. That’s it. Full stop. The more you make choices consciously and thoughtfully, the more control you will have over your life.
If you trust the Universe to have your back, to be a well-oiled machine, and you put your ego aside, the easier your life will flow. You have a finite view of possibilities, and your script for your life is often much more limited that what the Universe may have in store for you. Insisting on having your way only throws sand into the gears and makes things messy.
Think about it this way:
How many times has something happened in your life that, while it seemed confusing or even “bad” at the time, later turned out to have been the best possible outcome for all involved? How many times has someone rearranged their plans with you and it has turned out to be more convenient or better timing in your own life?
If you trust the Universe, when these things happen, you can happily go along your way, secure in the notion that things are working out perfectly. When you don’t trust the Universe, when you’re stuck in your ego, you take it personally and feel hurt or put out or inconvenienced. It is absolutely your choice about how you’re going to take it.
The more you allow for the idea that you might not be big enough to see over the steering wheel of the Universe, and let something other than yourself make sure things are going in the right direction, the more you allow space for these sorts of minor miracles or magic to occur in your life.
This post is part of a series called Monday Message, based on that day’s reflection from 365 Days to Enlightenment (authorized versions are currently out of print, working on a new edition). Check back next Monday for another one! You can also sign up for the Daily Message on my mailing list if you’d like to receive a new reflection every day. I also often post them to Instagram and Twitter, if either of those is a medium you enjoy.