Owning Pink Bloggers
The Beginner's Guide to Signs from the Universe
There’s a lot of talk about signs from the Universe, seeing signs, hearing signs and receiving signs. I’ve been clear of a few signs in my life but I’ve wondered how it works for people when they get signs constantly. What happens exactly? Do they hear a voice? Whose voice? How do they know it’s not just their overactive brain telling them what they want to hear?
Hello? I’d Like A Sign, Please
I’ve heard of other people asking for signs but it never occurred to me that I could try it to. I realized I could simply ASK. So ask I did. I was wondering about a continued future with a certain someone in my life. I asked for a sign, in the form of an offer for work in the city he lives in, if there was more to explore between us. Within an hour, I received an e-mail from a company in said city inviting me to come up to discuss a freelance gig. Wow! That was fast! Maybe this asking thing works.
The Ringer
That same week I attended a four-day conference and met the proprietor of one of the vendor booths, Holly Riddel. Holly makes beautiful inside out rings that contain a stone on the inside to symbolize commitment and intention. I had no intention of buying anything but one of her rings called to me. (Probably a sign, but far too subtle for me.) “My ring” had a garnet on the outside for passion, and a rose quartz on the inside for love. Whoa. I decided to think about it.
The morning of the last day of the event I still wasn't sure about the ring, so I got out my tarot cards to ask if should buy it. The message from the cards was a clear “no.” Okay. Decision made. Thing was, I couldn’t stop thinking about this ring. I remembered my new asking trick, so I asked for a sign of whether I was meant to have this ring. Minutes later, I saw Holly in the hallway. She stopped, looked me in the eye and said, "Come get your ring. I'll be kind to you on the price." A very clear sign! I of course bought the ring and asked Holly to bless it for me. As she did, I could feel the love she put into both the making and the blessing of the ring. To me, the ring symbolizes more than just love and passion - it is also a reminder that I can ask for signs and the Universe has my back.
It's In the Cards
As I was about to leave for a trip the other day, I pulled a card from Cheryl Richardson’s Grace Cards deck and asked for a message for the trip. The card I chose read, “Pay attention. There are signs, symbols, and messages Divinely placed in our path to guide us in the right direction.” Okay, getting the message - or the um, sign - loud and clear.
I’m convinced the Universe wants to give us a leg up. There's no vital information that is being kept hidden from us. It just might be that we cruise on autopilot so habitually that we miss the Divine breadcrumbs being thrown our way. The signs are there if we simply pay attention. And if we’re not seeing them, we can always just ask. In fact, since I began to ask, I’ve been receiving signs in all kinds of ways.
Being Open to Signs 101
Ask. Just ask for a sign. I recommend asking for a clear sign, and then take notice when you receive it.
Listen. Start to pay attention to “thoughts” that kind of interrupt what you’re already thinking. Thoughts that feel a bit different than your general stream of consciousness. These are subtle.
Look. Notice book titles that “appear” in your path, messages from friends, conversations, themes, and serendipitous events.
Feel. The biggest signs are within each of us. The way we feel about something tells us everything we need to know. Knot in your stomach? Lump in your throat? Giddy with delight? Sign. Sign. Sign.
What about you? Do you receive signs? If yes, how? Please share so I know what to look/listen/feel for next time. I’m new at this sign thing.
Signing off,
Danielle
Recent Blog Posts
- The Courage To Be Uncool ... Lissa Rankin
- Permission To Be Where You Are, Even When Where You Are Sucks ... Kate Northrup
- When We Make People “Special:” A Lesson From A Course In Miracles ... Lissa Rankin
- Solar Eclipse & Gemini New Moon ... Ophira and Tali Edut
- What Is Love? ... Bernie Siegel MD
- How Do You Know When It’s Time To Leave The One You Love? ... Lissa Rankin
- Let Love In ... Kim Anami
- How To Feel Connected In A Disconnected World ... Lissa Rankin
- Make Love, Not Porn ... Tinamarie Bernard
- I Forgot To Do Cartwheels ... Lissa Rankin
When you comment on an Owning Pink blog post, we invite you to be authentic and loving, to say what you feel, to hold sacred space so others feel heard, and to refrain from using hurtful or offensive language. Differing opinions are welcomed, but if you cannot express yourself in a respectful, caring manner, your comments will be deleted by the Owning Pink staff.
Follow Us
Comments
Seeing/Hearing Signs
By Sheila, The Grateful Goddess (not verified) on Sunday, 06/13/2010 at 6:51 PMLove it, Danielle! For me it is a matter of slowing down enough to hear, see, or feel the message. My most obvious signs are when it actually awakens me from a deep sleep with a very clear thought or voice in my head. Very fun! And often an answer to a question. I guess spirit knows it is the best time to get my attention, as once I awaken on my own, I will be full speed ahead (or at least I used to be, now I enjoy a morning meditation to my goddess cd.) I recommend writing out your question and leaving it on your nightstand before you go to sleep. After asking for a clear sign or answer, FEEL gratitude for being able to turn it over to a higher power to solve the situation and feel at peace knowing you will have divine guidance.
Love and appreciation,
Sheila
Re: Seeing/Hearing Signs
By Danielle Vieth on Monday, 06/14/2010 at 8:02 AMShelia-
I love the idea of asking before sleep and receiving the answer in our dreams and then feeling gratitude. I can see how important the gratitude part is in this process. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!
Love,
Danielle
Exploring
By Monica (not verified) on Sunday, 06/13/2010 at 6:48 PMI loved how direct the Universe was with your questions! I find a lot of signs through animals that come in my dreams or in an unusual way in my day. I finally bought a book called "Animal Speak" to understand what these animals have meant as spiritual signs throughout history and in different cultures. It can be very fascinating.
Thanks for sharing your story and keep on exploring.
Re: Exploring
By Danielle Vieth on Monday, 06/14/2010 at 8:09 AMMonica-
Yes, the Universe was direct because I asked for a CLEAR sign. I knew I would question anything too subtle! I've heard a lot about animal totems. I was on the phone with a friend the other day and she kept seeing a lizard at her doorway. She looked it up and it symbolized dreams. She had just been talking about her vision and dreams for her business, of course!
Thank for reminding us about the symbolism of animals.
Love,
Danielle
Re: Transition
By Danielle Vieth on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 9:23 PMYuka-
Thank you so much for explaining the transition phase of child birth. How cool! I can see that happened with the ring and I will also keep it in mind when birthing creative projects and other things in my life. I love the concept that reaching your edge brings to to surrender. How beautiful. Thank YOU for sharing with us!
Love,
Danielle
Transition
By Yuka Hagiwara (not verified) on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 7:57 PMDanielle, I absolutely love this!
To receive a CLEAR answer, we must ASK a clear question!
And also...
There is a time during childbirth called transition where the mama feels as though she absolutely can't go any further (and she definitely makes it known!), and what happens on the spiritual, psychological and physical levels is a complete SURRENDER to what is about to unfold....and usually only a short while later, a baby is born!
As I was reading the part where Holly is blessing this sacred piece of jewelry for you, I couldn't help but think back to the 'no' you received from the tarot deck and it strikes me as a sort of spiritual shopper's transition :) You felt the magnetic pull, got the no, but pushed it. You tapped into your intuition, your conjuring power was in full effect and not only bought it but got a deal because the jeweler knew it belonged to you!
Thank you so much for sharing with us Danielle!
Signs
By Alana (not verified) on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 12:12 PMI get signs all the time, but I don't always pay attention to them. I think your roadmap/blueprint/suggestions are right on. I would add dreams. I get lots of signs in dreams - sometimes a question is answered literally, sometimes it's more of a feeling when I wake up.
I love how your questions are getting answered, how you are listening. It's a practice - like yoga and writing - which to me is exciting. It means I can just keep getting better at receiving.
Dreams
By Danielle Vieth on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 4:22 PMYes, Alana, dreams are an amazing source of signs, too. Thanks for the reminder. I have received some very clear signs in my dreams. It's so much fun that way too. It's like getting your message in your own personal movie.
Love that you are aware of getting better at receiving. Me too. It is a practice like yoga and writing. In fact, I got a good, juicy message in yoga class today. I guess what's next is to write about it.
Love,
Danielle
Listening and Acting
By Julie Jordan Scott (not verified) on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 10:14 AMI see it as translating and sometimes, our initial translations may be missing a meaning or two. I get these divine nudges in the times I am open. I just allow myself t listen and follow the next opening to the next and the next and the next.
I am grateful to get to know you through 215800!
Re: Listening and Acting
By Danielle Vieth on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 10:25 AMHi Julie!
Yes, translation. Such a good reminder that not everything is literal. I do find myself asking for CLEAR signs though so my monkey brain doesn't muck it up! Love the term "divine nudges" too :)
Thrilled to get to know you through #215800 (http://bit.ly/cX60ue) as well!
Love,
Danielle
Lissa and Laurie
By Danielle Vieth on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 8:26 AMLissa- Thanks! Yes, being receptive to the signs is important and it was truly a revelation to me when I realized I could ASK. (I was delighted with the quick turnaround too!)Funny how I thought that worked for other people but somehow wasn't for me. I'm getting it now and it's so much fun!
Laurie- "Don't over think it" should be tattooed on my wrist! Thanks for the reminder. As for some of the clear signs I mentioned above, I actually questioned them at first and then caught myself. How adorable for a beginner like me!
Thanks for the mini book review. I can't wait to dive into This Time I Dance. It's been on my list. As for you wanting it all, YES! I honor that for you and I love how you are so open and receptive.
Your wanting it all reminds me of this speech I just watched from Steve Tomlinson at TEDx in Austin:
http://bit.ly/bl6yMt
My two favorite lines are:
"You don't need a career. You need a calling and right now you're listening."
"Lead with what you love."
Signing off with love,
Danielle
-
I love this!
By Lissa Rankin on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 6:50 AMDanielle, This is fabulous. I think, as you said, so much of it is just being open to receiving the guidance. When I started being receptive, the signs were everywhere. But they definitely come in spurts, such as when you're considering taking a Pleap (Pink leap of faith). Usually, I see them as sort of magical "coincidences" that affirm my path or mysterious roadblocks that redirect me. Now that I know they're out there, I am always on the lookout.
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and story with us. May the signs be with you!
And for those of you reading, here are some more Signs 101 Tips I wrote a while back:
http://www.owningpink.com/2010/04/21/what’s-calling-you-tips-for-listening-to-signs-from-the-universe-that-guide-your-path
Just in Time
By Laurie Erdman on Friday, 06/11/2010 at 3:45 AMDanielle,
I was so glad to see your post this morning - a sign? (maybe). I have been reading Tama Kieve's book - "This time I dance". It has my head spinning. It could have easily been me writing many of those passages - I have had the same thoughts and fears; yet I never had the courage to make the leap. But I am getting closer. If I could just make sense of all the signs.
My one tip for listening to the signs - don't over think it.
I have been in the groove where I was getting all kinds of signs from the Universe. Emails offering me commissions and residencies, emails soliciting me to submit an article about my art. I felt in tune with the signs. Yes, I am supposed to follow my art. Yippee.
But then I started writing about things other than my art, and I started getting signs telling me - yes, write more, share your story to help others. So I follow.
But wait. Am I supposed to write and make pots? Just one? Which one? Do I have to choose? I don't really want to. I want it all. I want to write a book and make pots. But right now there doesn't seem to be enough time.
So all these signs. But I'm not sure what it all means. And then Tama said last night - "wait and you shall have the knowledge you seek. Rush and your own anxiety will answer you." So I awoke this morning committed to not over thinking what the signs mean, or trying to fill in the answers.
And then your post. Yes, I will ask for a sign. I will also create the space to receive it. The adventure shall continue.
Listening intently,
Laurie