Are You Ready For The Unexpected?

It has been quite the saga with the dishwasher in my apartment!  It has not worked properly for over a year now. The maintenance crew here at the apartment complex has been able to keep it going, but it keeps flooding and breaking down. They have however grown somewhat weary with the ongoing dish drama, but I still manage to gain some sympathy for my struggles.

The last time they came by to repair the temperamental kitchen appliance, it took three weeks for them to show up after I put in the maintenance request. They took me by surprise, but I am not sure who was startled more – me or them. You see, I sometimes like to work in my pajamas, and therefore I was not at all prepared for their visit! Fortunately, I was able to retreat to my home office and merely close the door.

It got me thinking about our everyday readiness to embrace the unexpected in life. As spirit beings we signed up for human adventure riddled with many twists and turns, as well as some adversity and unforeseen surprises. The only way to safely and successfully navigate all these ups and downs is to be guided by the higher self with the support of spirit.

When we raise our vibration through spiritual practice and a conscious lifestyle, we build a foundational state of readiness that empowers us to calmly expect the unexpected, and to always be prepared for anything.

I think of it as ‘Father Readiness.’ In The Bible, Matthew 24 states that “no one knows the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program ~ Spencer W. Kimball

Our spirituality is truly on track when we consistently feel ready and able to deal with life’s curveballs. We cannot achieve this without spiritual growth and self-care. Without the guidance, comfort and support we find in spirit, life will frequently wear us out and at times overwhelm us.

When my mother passed away four years ago, I was overwhelmed with grief. My state of despair became such that I even struggled to place the daily dishes in the dishwasher, never mind keep up with any other household chores. The situation became so dire that I even resorted to using paper plates and plastic cutlery for a while.

These days, I am in a very different and much stronger, healthier place in my life. Looking back, I realize that I managed to crawl out of that dark pit simply because spirit had my back. My angels and guides were at my side every painful step of the way.

So, today I’m waiting, yet again, for the maintenance men to show up. But this time I feel much more prepared for their visit than before. It is amazing what some mindful meditation and calming breathwork can do! Meanwhile, I will joyfully wash the dishes by hand, courtesy of the increased levels of energy and well-being I have achieved over the past four years with my spiritual self-care routine.

I can only imagine what four more years of nursing my vibration will continue to bring. It can only get better with spirit present in my life.

Prepare yourself for the world, as athletes used to do for their exercises; oil your mind and your manners, to give them the necessary suppleness and flexibility; strength alone will not do ~ Lord Chesterfield

My personal healing journey has taught me to only set your sights on becoming the next best version of yourself. Don’t compare the length or agony of your journey with anyone else’s. Take the time to thank spirit today for your protection and progress. The Universe will continue to bring bountiful resources into your life, if you allow it.

Some counting of blessings, sincere gratitude, and a respectable level of ‘Father Readiness’ also go a long, long way. And while we are at it, let us remember to include in our prayers the hungry and homeless who do not have the luxury of having any dishes to wash today.