Spiritual leaders in many traditions have talked about the concept of a cosmic assignment – that we are put here on earth to learn something. If you’ve ever felt that you keep repeating the same patterns in your life, experiencing the same outcomes under different guises, have you ever wondered what the universe was trying to tell you?

To quote the psychologist Gay Hendricks, “The universe will teach us our lessons with the tickle of a feather or the whomp of a sledgehammer, depending on how open we are to learning the particular lesson. Getting stubborn and defensive invites the sledgehammer; getting open and curious invites the feather.”

Sometimes we are not even stubborn and defensive, but just oblivious. We follow the tracks laid down for us by our parents and teachers, without stopping to listen to our own hearts and what we really need. We make our lives busy and noisy, to drown out the still small voice, trying to get our attention with a feather. That’s when we get the sledgehammer.

If you find that you are experiencing the same problem over and over, sometimes openly and sometimes in the form of something else, consider that you might be facing a cosmic assignment – something in your life that you need to repair. 

It might be worth the time and effort to be quiet for a while, and try to feel that feather. If you are willing to be open and curious, as Dr. Hendricks suggests, chances are you will be able to find the healing you require. Your inner voice will know what you need to do to break the cycle.

Following that inner voice might be the most courageous thing you ever do, but it would be worth it, because it would allow you to become free. Miracles happen every day, when you are willing to listen.

I have experienced this little voice a couple of times in my life, and I have never regretted following it. How about you?