Listening to the Nudges

“Respond to every call that excites your spirit” -Rumi

You’ve probably seen my emails or notices about a contest I’ve entered.

The opportunity to participate was announced last February several times, which I dismissed several times. Felt too gimmicky. Besides, after three years of doggedly doing everything I could to get my book noticed, I felt very w-e-a-r-y at the thought of one more thing to add to string of efforts.

Over the course of several weeks, however, I began to notice that people were buzzing about the Next Top Spiritual Author Competition… on Facebook… and Twitter… and LinkedIn…. Nudges from the Universe that seemed to get stronger and louder from the most random places …

… oh come on, already…!

Loud enough to make me finally stop and wonder… what the heck is this? What are these nudges telling me? Could I be missing something? Like maybe an opportunity to share my message with the world in a big way…?!

(That last part never entered my mind when I finally caved.)

Grudgingly I went to the Web site to check out what all the fuss about. It was midnight… on the absolute last day one could register.

But almost effortlessly Your Spacious Self advanced, thanks to my generous friends, family, clients, and students who voted for me. From nearly 3,000 authors who submitted a video or audio pitch, I made it into the Top 250.

And ever since that midnight moment when I signed up, it has been one wonderful party of big hearts pitching their work, sharing their message, and connecting. The contest has helped me remember why I believe in my book so much… not to mention enjoy a process that has been easy and fun!

This experience reminds me of the time I nearly didn’t go to my first job interview.

I was a last-semester senior in college with an appointment to interview for a teaching position at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts –  balking because it had snowed the night before. Snow. I was letting snow be the reason not to go after one of the most plum jobs a person could get.

If I had allowed this bit of inconvenience to stop me at this one crucial moment in my early years, I would not have landed the job that set the stage for every amazing opportunity that followed, including a full scholarship to attend Boston University to get my Master’s Degree. I am certain that I would not be where I am today if I’d not pushed through my resistance (i.e. fear) on that fateful, snowy, last-chance day back in 1976.

Listening to those nudges can lead places. You just have to know when to listen…and then push through the lizard brain and act on it.

Photo Credit: PDPhoto.org