This weekend I was with my good friends James and Nathan having some good drinks (if you’re in New York City, go to The Library Room in the Nomad Hotel and order the Beekeeper.) We were talking about how things come to us. Dream jobs, opportunities, soul mates, etc. Nathan taught me a new word: Beshert (beh shayrt) a Yiddish word that translates to ‘it was meant to be’ or ‘destiny.’ This reminded me of the old Shaman wisdom quote, “That which is meant for me will not pass me by.”
Do you believe in coincidence? A happy coincidence is called serendipity. Maybe you rely on good luck or good fortune. While I consider myself a lucky person, (I win things often and I guess correct answers easily,) I try not to give value to good luck or then I would have to give value to bad luck, and who wants to do that? Not me.
I’m reading the highly acclaimed book E-Squared by Pam Grout. Pam gives scientific explanation through simple experiments proving that our lives are shaped by our thoughts. The basic premise is that reality is malleable. There is a Field of Potential and in that field, anything is possible. I love this concept. Our thoughts actually bring things into being, therefore we have the power to change our lives with what we are thinking.
While beshert and coincidence and even luck are all wonderful things to bank on, they are a slight cop out. It’s very easy to say what is meant to be will be. But I think there’s a missing element to destiny and that is us! It’s our actions, our thoughts, and our words that put us in the perfect alignment for serendipity to find us. We can’t just wait for life to happen. We have a say. Even if it is just a sweet prayer we whisper to ourselves as we go to sleep each night. Dear universe, I am ready to meet my soul mate. That little whisper let’s the universe know we are available for whomever is meant for us to find us. That little prayer is pulling from the field of potential to manifest that which we desire.
I believe in magic. I believe in miracles. I believe in manifesting. I use that word when I talk about bringing things into being or calling things in. I researched the meaning to make sure I’ve been using the word correctly. Manifest means evidence. Evidence means affirmation. Affirmation means guarantee. We are guaranteed to get what is meant for us. I think this guarantee only works if we are doing our part. Are we doing the work? Are we making good choices? Are we surrounding ourselves with good people and good experiences? Are we truly available for the good stuff to find us?
I was reminded of the Abraham Hicks concept of ‘launching rockets of desire,’ by our friend James who was with us that night at the Nomad Hotel. As soon as we affirm what we want, we send out a rocket of desire into the Vortex, similar to Pam Grout’s Field of Potential. Once those rockets are launched the universe starts bringing our desires to us. Abraham says that deliberate creators are asking the universe from a place of positive expectation. Many of us come from a place of knowing what we don’t want. “I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be a failure. I don’t want to get sick.” So our rockets actually come from a place of affirming the negative. Subconsciously that’s the energy we start vibrating from, a place of lack, and that’s what we attract more of.
So my work is to be really careful with my thoughts, my words, my actions, so I’m not sending crossed signals to the universe. I stay mindful of the rockets of desire I am launching and then I try my best to keep a clear path for the universe to deliver what is meant for me.
My friend Nathan can tell me he believes in beshert and that what is meant to be will happen, but I remember first moving to New York, feeling down and out, hopeless, and rejected by show business. I ran into Nathan many, many times while he was running off to perform in a Broadway show, or on his way to rehearsals and auditions. These little chance sidewalk meetings were truly some of my biggest teachings as a young performer trying to find my way. I watched Nathan’s destiny take shape by watching him work his tail off. By being true to himself no matter what his peers were doing or what was being expected of him. By holding space for his own success. And I see now, all these years later, that he was holding space for my success too. I think that’s the secret: Work hard, be true to yourself, expect the best, and be generous and kind to others. Period. The end. And be careful what you wish for because it’s on its way.
I brought some serendipity into my kitchen this week. These magical thumbelina carrots and purple cauliflower found themselves swimming in this delicious tahini sauce. This recipe was totally meant to be.
Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots with Tahini Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cauliflower chopped into 1" pieces
- 1 cup carrots chopped into 1" pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon za a'tar
- salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 teaspoon chopped chives
Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine vegetables, spices and oil in a bowl. Mix to coat vegetables. Spread onto a sheet pan treated with non-stick spray. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes, flip them and roast for another 3 minutes. In a small bowl, mix tahini, honey, and lemon juice. Set aside. In a dry skillet, toast the pine nuts until golden. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn. As the vegetables are complete in their cooking, toss with tahini sauce, and sprinkle with pine nuts and chives. Launch a rocket of desire!
Working with photographer Cheryl Stockton of Stockshot Studio is such a blessing. Thank you for capturing my food so beautifully!