A Notice to the Universe

I set a stack of blank sheets on the desk, open a beautiful notebook and hang up a little sign: “Heavenly Notices Department”. I am just settling into my chair when you peek through the door.

— What’s going on? What kind of notices are you collecting?

— Today I am taking wishes, offers of exchange and anything a person is ready to part with. Come in. What brings you here?

— How much time do you have?

— For a start, one notice will do — I laugh and hand you a sheet. — What was the first thing that came to mind when you read the sign?

Perhaps you already know your answer. You want a person with whom closeness happens naturally. Work where you can show what you can do and be paid with dignity. A trip you have been looking at only in photos for years. Or you would like to clear a little room in your life, because other people’s tasks have made themselves comfortable while yours are still waiting on their feet.

— And what if my wish is quite ordinary?

— Write it down. A free Saturday is also a worthy request to the Universe. Especially if the last six were divided between cleaning, shopping and “just help me for a moment”.

How to write your notice

Choose one of the beginnings below and finish it in your own words. Write what you want to invite into your life, what you are ready to let go of, or what change you are choosing. One or two sentences are quite enough, and if you feel like telling more, I will read that too.

“I seek…” — a job where my experience is valued and I have room to grow.

“I give away…” — the habit of saying “no problem” while in my head I have already written three pages of objections.

“I swap…” — three years of wondering for one honest conversation.

“I let go of…” — the expectation that someone from my past will finally keep their promise.

“I invite…” — new friendships and people with whom I can be myself.

“I order…” — a trip to the place whose address I have long known, though I have yet to set foot there.

“I free up…” — the post of “person in charge of everyone’s mood”.

“I accept…” — help when I am tired, and a compliment without immediately explaining why it is undeserved.

“I announce…” — a vacancy in my life for mutual love and shared plans.

“I choose…” — to set aside time every week for the dream I keep postponing.

The examples are only for inspiration. Your notice can be tender, brave, funny or perfectly everyday. Write it the way you would tell it to me over coffee.

— All right, I seek love. Is that enough?

— It is a good beginning. Now tell me a little more. What would this love look like in your everyday life? What do you want to experience together? When you make your wish more precise, you yourself will see it more clearly.

The same goes for every subject. Instead of “I want change” you can write “I want to find the courage to apply for another job”. Instead of “I want time for myself” — “I want one evening a week when I do something purely for my own pleasure”. The small detail will help me answer you more personally.

What you will get from me

— And after I leave my notice, what happens next?

— I will read it and answer you personally on behalf of the “Heavenly Department”. You will receive a message about what you wrote and a question or small task to help you take a first step.

If you are looking for something, we will see how you can make room for it in your daily life. If you are letting go of an old expectation or habit, we will look for where to begin. If you are offering an exchange, we will work out what you are ready to do for the thing you want.

Afterwards you can reply to me and we will go on talking. I am curious what you will discover about yourself as you write, and which part of the message you will find useful.

— So I submit the request and wait for delivery?

— I have no phone number for the Universe’s courier service — I smile. — But we can start with something that depends on you. One call, one decision, one job application sent, or one hour you finally write into your calendar for yourself.

Where to leave your notice

Write it in a comment below this post. Choose a beginning, finish it with your wish and share only as much as you are happy for everyone to read.

If you are torn between several subjects, start with the one you most want to talk about today. Set careful editing aside — the department also accepts requests written with excitement.

I push the sheet towards you and open the notebook at a new page.

— Well, I’m listening. What are you seeking, giving away, swapping or letting go of today?