“The only good thing to do with good advice is pass it on; it is never of any use to oneself.” ~Oscar Wilde

Dear Universe,

Sometimes advice comes to you in the strangest and most unique of ways.

It can be a billboard, a sign, a repeated song lyric or just a friend offering words when you need to hear them most.

At the end of last year, I went to visit an old friend, one of my go-to-gurus.  We sat a few feet across from each other, face-to-face, with not even a table between us.  She gave me her insight and we talked over some questions I had.  That’s when she did something completely unexpected.

She sang to me.

Now of course, I have had people sing in my presence.  Usually we are in a car, driving fast along a highway or belting out in a moment of silliness.  No one had ever looked into my eyes and sang directly to me like that.

It was a soul-shaking experience.

“Live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten.” ~Natasha Bedingfield

It was a moment—and a message—I knew I would never forget. I left feeling inspired and excited for what was next.

A few months later I went to visit my other favorite go-to-guru.  We sat in her cozy office, across from each other at her small table.  And then suddenly, out of the blue—you guessed it—she sang to me.

Her voice was startlingly beautiful and soul-striking.

“Say what you wanna say, And let the words fall out, Honestly I wanna see you be brave…” ~Sara Bareilles

I left her office thinking how odd it was that both these wonderful women felt the best way to reach me was to sing.

Maybe they knew it would stand out more.

It did.

Maybe they thought the lyrics would fly in my head now and then, the way songs can, giving me a melodic reminder right when I needed it most.

They have.

Maybe they thought that every time I would hear the songs on the radio or in a restaurant or at the gym, I would consider the message once more. I have.

Maybe they simply wanted me to remember that I should live my life bravely, with no regrets.

I’m trying.

Sometimes advice comes to you in the strangest and most unique of ways.  You simply have to be open and willing to receiving the words—no matter how they arrive.

Thank you for such memorable, heartfelt messages.  They continue to resonate within me, even months later, the way melodies and lyrics often do.

With Gratitude,

A