"When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true." This is the fundamental philosophy of Paul Coehlo's book "The Alchemist". He also reflects that "the greatest lie in the world is that at some point we loose the ability to control our lives, and become pawns of fate."
I came upon these thoughts when researching a story I've been using recently with my business English students and Springboard group. The story I shared comes from Nick Owen's book "The Magic of Metaphor: 77 Stories for Trainers..." The story itself, taken from The Alchemist, is about the secret of success lying in us using all our senses to truly appreciate the world around us, while at the same time taking care of the essentials in our lives. Something definitely worth exploring further. However, this blog is about how what I read after the success story connects with what I currently have on my mind.
By sharing these thoughts "out loud", I want to alert the universe so that it can conspire to help my wishes come true.
One wish in particular which I have just dared to formulate, is to return to the UK and continue my career in training and development within a large corporation. I wish to be back within a couple of hours driving distance of my extended family: my (aging) parents and in-laws, my sisters & brothers-in-law and their growing children; my cousins and their families with whom I so enjoy spending time. I simply want to return to my familial tribe. While gaining on that front, I also want to apply my skills and experience, gathered over the last 13 years of self-employment, to a new environment. I want to have the experience of being part of something bigger than just me. Hand-in-hand with my intrinsic needs, I also want to benefit financially. To finally have a regular, secure income: no more back-tax repayments, struggling to meet all the German social insurance payments and constantly running to refill my overdraft.
On the surface, taking into consideration current circumstances, this is highly unlikely to happen. My immediate family, husband, daughter and son, don't feel the same way. So I need some back up support from the aforementioned universe! That doesn't mean to say I don't accept responsibility for my own destiny - I'm certainly no pawn. I want to take control of my own future and decide how I want to spend the coming years. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been held captive against my will the last 16 years in Germany. I've enjoyed a happy, comfortable, varied life. I've been able to enjoy spending time with my growing children and build a home for us all here. It's something I've got on with because I didn't really have any other choice.
I do have choice. And I want to exercise my right to choose where I live and work.
