The Universe: Your Co-Conspirator

"And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." When I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho two years ago, this particular line really resonated with me. The possibility behind this premise fascinated me...could the universe really give me anything I wanted? I have to admit, though, that part of me remained skeptical, not fully believing in its message.

Fast forward two years later and I find myself amazed by the fact that I will be teaching in China next summer. "How did this happen?" I keep asking myself. These are things that happened to other people, not me. I still can't believe that it is happening to me! The opportunity to teach in China literally presented itself to me - I did not seek it out, at least not on a conscious level. Could the universe have been conspiring on my behalf? I definitely think so now.


When I think about it though, I realize that I had been manifesting this event into my life all along, without even knowing it. In my job I meet with many Chinese students and, for some reason, I always tended to connect with them. Often I would ask them questions about their home towns and what it was like to live in China. In almost every conversation I had with them, I would say something like, "I really want to go to China someday." They would then excitedly offer me travel tips, and some even sent me pictures from China. They believed that I was going to China, even though in my mind I wondered if, when and how it would actually happen.

Over the years, several of my Chinese students have given me wall hangings and other souvenirs from their country, most of which symbolize good fortune, and all of which I hung up around my office. In retrospect, I realize that by creating a China-infused office space, I had unwittingly manifested my China teaching experience. Although I had learned about this phenomenon from The Secret and Infinite Possibilities, I hadn't consciously thought, "Oh, I think I'll put up some Chinese wall hangings so I can get a teaching gig in China." It had all happened so naturally and organically, that I have no doubt that the universe had conspired to make it happen. How else could I explain the fact that an educational company based in China sent me an email a few months ago asking me if I would be interested in teaching there? 

So, what have I learned from all of this? Well, essentially I have learned that when I wanted something badly enough, the universe did make it happen. And the universe will make it happen for you too. Whatever it is you want, keep putting the message out there by talking about it, posting about it, or writing about it. You can even put up pictures and other symbols around your house or office that symbolize your dream. But don't expect it to happen overnight - for me it took almost five years. But based on my experience, I can guarantee that it will happen for you too.