Playing with the universal rules - getting me to the Church on time

Well, I was in a rush, of course, naturally, but I still put the idea 'out there'.  I needed to get to Church on time. I haven't been to Church for six months because I have been working on a Wednesday. The Universe conspired to free me up on a Wednesday,  I was trying to get to a Church which is roughly a mile and a half away, as well as fit in a damp report, which I was told would take about 30 minutes.

 The damp report guy was due at 1.30pm, the church service began at 2.30pm. Can I rush the damp expert around, hoof it at full speed and get to church on time? 

I put it out there. To the Universe. I attempted to picture the possibility of a speedy damp report, followed by a smooth journey to church, to get me there on time.

The damp expert called, tapped some walls, drew a map of the flat, had a chat. I chatted as little as possible, aware that I was trying to get him in and out in thirty minutes. Then he realised he had made an error in his map drawing. Inwardly groaning, outwardly looking at my watch, I sat patiently, waiting for him to re-draw the plan of the damp walls. Time was ticking. 

Another little chat about why I don't do ballroom dancing, no, not my choice of topic of discussion, the damp expert is a regular ballroom king, led to me explaining I may not do ballroom,but I do like to go to church and how I was hoping to get there that afternoon. Guess who offered me a lift? That's right, the damp expert.

We had a lovely little journey in his car, he shared the coincidence of how he went on holiday from his home in Leigh on Sea to Sorento, only to get chatting in his hotel bar with a guy who also lives in Leigh on Sea.

I enjoyed the coincidence and I thanked the Universe for sending me an unexpected lift to Church.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Coincidental people

Coincidence makes the world go round. Well, it helps my little world go round. It is the small things which keep me going. I share these little things with you, dear blog reader, in an attempt to keep a record of the events. So many little events and coincidences happen, they are easily dismissed and forgotten. This little blog serves as a reminder of the daily events which keep me going.

This has been quite a big week for me, starting a new job, working in a retail shop and also taking steps towards becoming a teacher of English to speakers of a language other than English. Trust me on this blogger, it isn't easy.

I spoke to a woman on the phone about the retail job, she invited me for interview. I interviewed with someone else, I got the job. The first woman I spoke to was the person who organised my induction dates and had me installed at work. I have never met her in person, I was just grateful for the opportunity. The very same week I found myself queueing at the College for information about a course I need to qualify myself for the teaching. Standing behind a woman dressed in black, a uniform if you will, as she turned I noticed she still had her identity badge from work on her blouse. Yes, of course, the name rang a bell and I introduced myself.  

The woman I have been speaking to on the phone for the past couple of weeks about working in a retail shop had materialised in front of me at college. 

Some people are meant to cross our paths, and I have a feeling this particularly lady is one of those. Or is it, that I am meant to be crossing her path? 

So, that was one thing. Then on my first Sunday at work, in the mens' fitting rooms, a young lady asked me if I knew if we sold three quarter length trousers for men. You know, summery clothing. I had to confirm for her that no, we have moved into the autumn range now but the conversation did lead to her telling me how she was off to Thailand with her boyfriend for six months, they have both just qualified as English as a Foreign Language teachers. Lovely. I enjoyed the coincidence.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Coincidental names keep us going through a shopping trip

A couple of coincidental names have shown up for me this weekend. Which my son insists is just a coincidence. There is no link. It doesn't mean anything. Okay then, I tell him. At twenty years of age, he is entitled to his opinion. I don't force my ideas down his throat. I sometimes don't even point them out to him, because I know he isn't interested. And yet, still, whenever we are out and about together, which, at his age, isn't very often, these coincidences show up.

It makes me laugh, he doesn't enjoy it so much, because he knows I apply meaning to something which he feels is just clutching at straws in an attempt to make meaning out of chaos.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I went and volunteered at the charity shop, the lady who has helped me and trained me in the ways of this latest venture is called Mary. Naturally, I warmed to her immediately, she shares an old family name, on my Dad's side of the family. I acknowledge the coincidence in my mind and carry on regardless. I am in the right place at the right time to either be learning something or teaching someone else something, either way it is a win win.

The Saturday afternoon before a Sunday wedding saw my twenty year old in need of a present and a card to take to his Uncle's wedding in the morning. I took the opportunity to offer to take a trip into town with my six foot son who is usually too fast for me to keep up with, stretching his giraffe like legs to get everywhere he walks as soon as possible. My son agreed that we should both head to town and find wedding stuff. Clearly, he was thinking that the shopping for a gift would be easier if I was in tow. Nice to know I still have my uses.

The walk was slower than he was anticipating, my 46 year old legs just aren't as fast as they used to be and I have learnt to pace myself. So, we had 2.2. miles to have a little chat about nothing in particular. We had a laugh about my son meeting up with his old school friends, who have all gone to different Universities, my son told me something particularly amusing about someone he knows, Toby his name is. I haven't met him, he is not someone I have heard much about, but the story amuses him and therefore it amuses me. I enjoy the company of my son in cheerful mood and I also take advantage of the walking situation to suggest a trip to Specsavers, for new glasses. 

This is something my son usually has to be cajoled into, it is not somewhere he will go willingly, a) hates queueing b) hates any form of chores c) dislikes shopping. For my son, new glasses, a bit of admin and finding new frames, discussing lense types in a busy shop falls into all of these categories. We manage it, really, quite painlessly. I am hopeful we can get in and out in less than an hour. Their printer isn't working, the frames he has chosen aren't compatible with his lens type, the specsaver's employee is v.patient with us both and helps find something similar by rummaging in a cupboard on the wall disguised as a mirror, she comes us with a similar style, but she does still feel it will be difficult to adjust the frame on his face with the lenses he needs. Cool. We have a helpful sales person. I silently thank my Guardian Angels. 

The final point of sale, do you want buy one get one free? or 25% student discount off just one pair, and do you want two the same. It is this sort of decision making and messing about that deters my son from going shopping. My son at this point has two pairs sitting in front of him, one he has chosen, sort of black,very smart, good for interviews, and the one the sales lady found,which she doesn't feel is really the best shape. 

My son opts for the smart one on the grounds it is simple and quick. I am nudged by spirit, I know there is something we are about to miss, but I don't know what it is. I butt in and ask for the price of one pair, with 25% off...£50 something, the price of buy one, get one free? £60 something. My son has his maths student lightbulb moment, oh, wait, what £10.00 for a whole spare pair of glasses? Oh, okay then, he will have two. Two the same? The saleswoman wants to know. My son agrees. This is what he does. It is the easiest option, going with the flow, getting out of the shop as soon as possible. I am nudged into interfering mode again.

 'Sorry, what?' I say, offering my tuppence worth, 'why not have two different styles to choose from?'

After all, if the second pair are only a tenner, does it really matter if the lenses are not quite as easy to shape with his style of lenses? No, of course it doesn't. My son agrees, yes, have two different pairs. This of course makes a little more admin for the sales woman and we wait a few minutes more. While we are waiting, I just can't help myself and I hear myself asking

 'What is the name of those frames?', you know, how all the glasses are given weird and wonderful names, like 'Osiris' and 'Pegasus'... well, this particular frame, chosen firstly by my son, unchosen by the sales woman and then re-chosen by me, is called Toby. 

My son and I look at each other and even he smiles at the coincidence. Our mood is lightened again as we wait, more patiently, with a happy reminder of the funny story we had a laugh at earlier. My son is just happy to be reminded of the story. I am happy that he has been shown a coincidence, again, whether he gives it any meaning or not. 

Lots of love,light and coincidences to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Do you know of a Grammar School around here?

I was thinking to myself this morning, and you can trust me when I tell you this dear reader, 'I haven't been asked for directions lately'. 

What have I been doing lately?  Well, I have been looking into learning to teach English as a Foreign Language. I haven't had a lot of success. I am not exactly being faced with doors flinging themselves open. In fact, my efforts at digging around for information haven't really come up with any gold nuggets, not even so much as a Hansel and Gretel crumb actually.

So, I was pleased when a lady who didn't have a brilliant grasp on the English language stopped me in my tracks to ask for directions.  There I was, stomping along in the sun, although the clouds were gathering, it was lovely and warm and we have been promised by the weathermen that summer has arrived. Stomping, my friends, in time to Abba on my ipod.  

She waved me down. This foreigner in a strange land. The London Road. The busiest road of all for traffic and people busy going somewhere else. 

'Errr'  She had to think about what she needed to say.

I took my ipod out 'Alright there?' I asked cheerfully, and quite friendly, I thought.

'Do you know of a Grammar School around here?' she said

Do I know of a Grammar School. Well, if you count the seven years that my son spent attending the one at the bottom of the road, then, yes, I know of a Grammar School.  I pointed her in the direction she needed to go and confirmed it was a left, followed by a trip down one further road.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.  

It has been so long since I have been asked for Directions I forgot to make conversation as to her reasons for wanting the destination. I also should have told her my son went there, to make the connection for her more meaningful. But, I am still learning Blogger. Plus I was in an Abba induced world of my own.  

I promise to try and make the next request for directions more meaningful for the person doing the asking.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Do you know the Way .....

Starting back into the world of work, or 'joining the rat race' as my Dad used to call it.  This is what I have done this week.  Spending hours and hours behind a till, helping people buy their consumer goods and the food they need to survive.  This is how I see it.  Everyone needs sustenance.  Finding provisions and supplies, the basic human needs for survival.  I am now part of that, taking money from people and packing their bags.  Roll on self-service is all I can say.  But I have done it, I have made a commitment, I and followed it through and I am back on a material roll, in the material world. 

After three hours on the till, I head home, change out of my uniform, rushing to get my jeans on and my trainers laced up.  I am now heading to deliver Avon, an A-F33 anti-wrinkle cream, to a hairdresser up by the Elms, it is 4.30pm, the hairdressers closes at 5.30pm, a good thirty minute walk, possibly longer.  I hoof off.  Marching to Leigh in order to get there before it closes.  I arrive to a Barber full of men having their hair cut and waiting to have their hair cut.  I sit quietly with my Avon on my lap, under a sign that says 'No Women' by order of Russell.  Okay then.

The lady who called me out of the blue to order the Avon spots me and rushes over to pay me.  I am quite comfortable in my little spot and it is weary bones that I take out onto the street for my journey home.  Sticking in my headphones, the spiritual side of life could not be further from my frazzled, work worn brain.  A man walks towards me, I can see he is saying something but I have no idea what it is. I remove a headphone. I vaguely register that I am being asked for Directions. I have an inner smile.  Oh. Even on a day like today, that has been busy, hard work, physically tiring and definitely grounding, I am being asked the Way.

'Hildaville' he says.  'Do you know where Hildaville is?'
me: 'yes, I do know exactly where it is, it is where I live'

we both laugh at the coincidence

me: 'you couldn't have asked a person closer to where you are going!'
him: 'would you like a lift?'  nice of him to ask

but no, I know not to accept lifts from random strangers, no matter how Gucci their sunglasses.  

'thanks, but I am getting chips on the way home'

I point him in the direction of Hildaville and I feel my soul lifting in the knowledge that although I may feel as if I am traipsing the streets and working on my own, Spirit are around me, helping me along as I make my way on my new path.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

The Signpost of coincidence

Strolling around a Cemetery. How you do.  Well, how I do, occasionally.  You know, when the mood takes me and I feel like I need to take a walk in wind and rain swept Essex.  Off I trot, who knows where my steps will take me.  Searching for a breath of fresh air, looking for solace, spending time in nature is a form of therapy.  A strengthening of spiritual will.  Well, I felt a need for spiritual strength this week.  A new commitment loomed.  The commitment of heading back into the world of work.  Being in a set place, at a set time.  A whole new ball game for me.

I have made my son do it.  So why shouldn't I do it? He has been to school, every day, pretty much, for the last seven years into the same building, and before that junior school and infant school. During that time I have worked part-time. In various places, Estate Agents, mainly.  Not a job where any two days are the same. No constriction of staying within the same four walls, a fairly mobile job.  My own other part-time role, selling Avon, involves being mobile, selling to who I want, when I want.  The benefits of being self-employed allows a freedom which many employees can only dream of.  Obviously, there are downsides to not really knowing when the next pay day will arrive. If it will arrive.  But on the whole, being an Avon Representative, alongside learning and being a part-time Student, has allowed me as much or as little time as I have wanted to surrender.

The very idea that I have got a job (which is great) brings new stresses of being in a set place, at a set time, being answerable to people who I know nothing about.  Well, it is this that brought me to the Cemetery, being as close as I can get to nature. Feeling the rain against my skin, remembering that life is only temporary and looking at the gravestones of all those people who have gone before.  I always read the gravestones, and I am always struck by how many people are called similar names.  The names that run in my family. Names like Thomas and Frederick, William, Mary, the graveyard is full of gravestones with these sorts of names on them.  

I wander through the gravestones, enjoying the statues of Angels and absorbing the atmosphere, really bringing to life for me the families that have been left behind, the energy and effort that has gone in to arranging the wording on these headstones, the organisation of all the funerals, the burials, the family get togethers and the rituals to mark each person's passing.  There is a lot of grief associated with every graveyard.  I know that some names are so common that you are bound to come across them in your everyday world. Of course.  As the non-believers say 'it is just a coincidence'.  But, for me, it doesn't feel like a coincidence.  

When the man knocks at my door every three weeks, bringing me a delivery of Avon, and he signs the form to say he has taken receipt of my returns, it doesn't feel like a coincidence that he signs his name 'Tom'.  So, when I began work for my new employers, the co-operative food store and I was sitting in the induction, it was no surprise to me that someone didn't show up.  There was an empty chair.  It also didn't feel like a coincidence to me when the woman running the induction course explained that someone else was meant to be joining us, but he was now going to be attending on a different day.  His name?  'Tom'.  Naturally, of course it was.  For me, a little bit of comfort that I am being prompted by spirit to take these steps into work.  Even if it is not my first choice of job, or no matter how I may feel about committing myself for the next twenty one years, it is something that I have to do.  So I have.  

According to people who believe we rustle up the Universe to do our bidding, they would argue that because I notice these coincidences, I am creating them to happen.  When you consider all the things that have to happen for a woman running an induction course to even choose to tell the rest of the group the name of the missing person, really, in itself quite an unusual thing to do, to mention the name of the person who isn't there.  But this is what happened.  I am pretty sure that no amount of conjuring up, wishful thinking, or co-creating could have brought that experience to me.  I am pretty sure these events/coincidences happen as a signpost for us, when we are paying attention, that we are on the right path. 

Being in the right place at the right time.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Forgotten your ipod charger m'dear? no problem

Reaching my recent destination, heading for Devon, the town of Paignton, coming from Westcliff, via Southampton where I stayed overnight at my son's Uni house, I realised that I didn't have my ipod charger.  No big deal, not really, although I do like to have a bit of music to listen to as I am walking around on my travels, when I am in a new area, I like to have my ears free to notice noises, sounds, people talking around me and to me.

Still, I knew there were going to be occasions over the weekend when I would want to listen to some songs so I just mentioned to the girl on the hotel reception that I had forgotten my charger.  As I was having a conversation with her about the chances of someone randomly leaving an ipod charger behind in a hotel, and how unlikely that was, a young man popped his head out from the kitchen.  

'my daughter is staying with me this weekend, she has an ipad that sometimes she brings with her, if she has the charger I will bring it in for you'  (he offered in a thick Devonshire accent).

how kind.  I gave him my card with my mobile phone number on it, the one that says I am available for tarot readings.

I took the opportunity of asking him where the local spiritualist church was and mentally booked myself an hour in church at 7.30pm. Off I went about my daily business.  Later that evening, after I had been to church, had a bit of singing and laughter in a strange meeting hall, there was a little knock on my hotel door.

Holding a charger in one hand and my card in the other, there stood the young man from the kitchen he said 'you do tarot readings?' yes, I confirmed that I do indeed do tarot readings.

He told me the story of how his wife's Dad had died in a plane crash and how his wife had gone to a spiritualist church for a message, but when she didn't get one she was all disheartened.  As he was talking, I was suddenly prompted to tell him it was in the name.  His wife would start seeing his name about, and for her to know it is not a coincidence.  'alright then, I will tell her' he agreed to tell her.  I gave him a Guardian Angel Wishbag by way of thanks for letting me have use of his daughter's charger.  

The next day as I walked through reception, he followed me out 'thanks for that little thing' he said 'my wife loved it'.  She said it felt really warm in her hands when she held it.  Okay then.  I haven't heard that before, but I am glad it made her happy.  Also, he wanted to let me know that there had indeed been a name thing.  

After her Dad died, his wife and her Mum had gone along to the cinema to watch a sentimental movie and her Mum was in floods of tears at the end.  As they sat watching the credits of the film the first three names to come up spelled out his name...Steve Mark Cooper. 

They took this as a sign from her Dad and her Mum's husband that he was alright and it was very comforting to them at the time. 

Yes, spirit works in mysterious ways.  I love this sort of story, now if I had remembered my charger, this little interaction would never have happened.

I share this story with you, blogger, in the hope that if you are ever looking for a sign from a loved one, please remember the importance of the vibration of their name.  It is one of the few things that can only by right or wrong, there is no 'sort of like Steve' it is either Steve or it isn't!

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

A Journey full of lucky touches and coincidental place names

On my travels recently I had some lovely coincidences which lightened my journey.  The path was smooth, no traffic, no trouble, literally, I have not one bad event or negative story that I can drag out of my weekend experience.  I have had the perfect weekend away.  I am certain that I was accompanied by Spirit on my travels.  

At one point there were so many coincidental things, signs, words, place names, that I felt as if I was in the middle of a matrix that had been written just for me.  A little taster for you, as to what happened on my trip to Devon.  I had so many things happen, I probably have enough material for a little ebook!  So, I will split the stories up over a series of blogs.

Travelling to Southampton to stay with my son in his University digs, helped to split the drive up, not having driven for a couple of years, to suddenly do a really long drive, wouldn't have been the easiest experience. A map, a rough idea of where we were going, I thought we were prepared.  But no, wait, a friend called round the day before, as coincidence would have it, who had a sat nav we could borrow.  Lucky touch number one.  Secondly, the tiniest car imaginable that I ordered for hire, wasn't actually available, a sporty upgrade came our way. Lucky touch number two.  Perfect traffic, no congestion, no queuing, Lucky touch number three.  And so the story continued. Safely to Harrison Road in Southampton.  Walking around the area to get a feel for the place I couldn't help but notice the one-stop shop was called Burgess, the pharmacy was called Burgess, the church, the post-office, the main road, Burgess, Burgess was the name of my Gran's second husband.  

Charlie, my son, is living in an area which has his Great Gran's family name written all over it.  

This pleases me, to feel that he is being looked after by spirit and he also is in the right place at the right time.

More, much more later.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

People giving way.

Well, I had a strange experience yesterday.  Out shopping.  Walking my sore feet to Southend from Chalkwell Park, a round trip that takes at least an hour and a half.  The walk there isn't that bad, it is the walk home that my feet really feel the pavement pounding.

Being a pedestrian has a lot going for it.  Walking past the queues of traffic that are trying to get into town, striding along, it is easy to tell myself that walking is the healthier option.  Which is fine, when the weather is good, as long as it isn't raining. 

My experience usually involves dodging traffic, even on zebra crossings, people drive past pedestrians as if they don't just own the car they are in, they own the zebra crossing they are driving over.

But yesterday, I had a new experience.  A car gave way for me!  Waved me over the road.  I thanked him, I held my hand up and smiled.  Nice.  Makes a change.  A little further on my journey, another car gave way for me.  Not just happened to stop at the right place, but actually pulled up sooner than he had to, and allowed me across the road.  I thanked him. 

A little shopping trip, two carrier bags of food to carry on the walk home.  Coming out of Sainsbury's a car stopped and let me out.  Lovely.  I thanked her and smiled.  The next road, another car slowed down and stopped, allowing me to cross the road with my shopping. I thanked her.

What was going on?  Four cars had given way for me?  Unheard of.  I was just musing about why I was being given so much leeway and a little old man who had gotten out of his car and was looking up and down the London Road.  I took out an ipod earphone. Clearly, he was going to ask me for  directions.  'Morrisons?' he asked for.  I explained the nearest supermarket is sainsburys and gestured to my bags. Although there is a Morrisons further up the London Road. 'No, that would be too far, he said it was before Hamlet Court Road'.  He went off back into his car and although I hadn't been able to help it, it got me through the next part of my journey with a little more spring in my aching feet. Mainly because I always take the 'being asked for Directions' as a reminder from spirit. 

Further along the road a Silver Mercedes pulled up short of the junction I was waiting at, he allowed me to cross and waved me over. I thanked him.  Five times in one walk.  How was this happening.  People kept giving way to me!  Later in the evening, my son and I decided to walk to Blockbuster and rent Avatar.  My son said it was a good film and I haven't seen it, so off we went back down the London Road.  There wasn't really a lot of traffic about, early evening ish, post-rush hour, pre-night owls.  We both approached the kerb and prepared to wait to cross, a Police car slowed up, pulled up short of the junction and waved us across.   A police car!  We both thanked him and went on our way.

A new game for me to play!  Seeing who, when, what and where people are giving way.  I wonder what the message is in that little experience.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x