Being Guided

This is a little story about how prayers are sometimes answered in ways we don't expect.

I'm writing a new book. I start with stories. I think of it like gathering the raw materials- clay or stone- for a sculpture. This can evoke a sense of overwhelm as I sit with all I have gathered and struggle to find a structure for the book

Two weeks ago, I started to pray for help in finding this book's structure. A day later, I got a request to do an interview with Michael Gervais, a coach for the Seattle Seahawks  (yes, I had to look them up to find out they played football) who does a podcast called "Finding Mastery." I was leery. I know nothing about sports, and I tend not to use the word mastery because it awakens my inner perfectionist and can imply a promise of control where little is available. But I listened to his interviews with Brene Brown and others, and said yes.

To prepare, I started writing about what "mastery" might or might not be for me. An email from Gervais' office suggested I talk about the events and people who have influenced me most in my life. So I wrote some more.

At some point it occurred to me that this prep was rendering an outline for the book I was writing. And when the interview was postponed for a week, I got another seven days to refine my sense of the focus and flow for both the book and the interview.

Remembering my prayer, I laughted out loud. I had not thought of my prayer for assistance when the interview request was made, and yet here I was, finding a structure for the book.

In magic-making circles it is said that there is always "an infinity of solutions," so requests for assistance need to allow that which is larger to point to things we aren't even considering. This unfolding was a lovely reminder of just  how one thing can unexpectedly lead to another in the most delightful way. ~Oriah

I titled this stunning photo from Karen Davis at Open Door Dreaming, "Layers." Felt like a match with this little story about the layers of experience that can sometimes unexpectely lead us where we need to go.