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I’ve always believed that when we slow down and stay open, guidance has a way of showing up. I’ve been wrestling with a big decision — the kind that makes you second-guess yourself even after you’ve prayed and overthought it from every angle. I asked my parents for help, like I always do, and went about my day. It’s in these quiet moments — when I’m looking for peace and finding signs after loss — that I seem to notice the clearest reminders that I’m not alone.
Later that afternoon, I noticed my mother’s rose bushes — in full bloom. In November. They stopped me in my tracks. Then, two Blue Jays appeared at the feeder. My mom always said Blue Jays were visits from my dad, so seeing them together made me feel like it was a visit from both of them.
Maybe it was coincidence. Maybe not. But I took it as a sign — a gentle reminder that I’m not walking through these choices alone.
There’s a quote I love that says, “Don’t worry about making the right decision. Just make the decision right.” That’s the mindset I’m trying adopt lately — trusting that the guidance we need often appears once we stop searching so hard for it.
When You’re Searching for Guidance After Loss
If you’ve ever found yourself asking for a sign — from the universe, from God, or from someone you’ve lost — you’re not alone. When we’re grieving or uncertain, we look for reassurance that we’re on the right path. We want to know that the people we love are still near, somehow guiding us through the changes we face.
But in a world that never stops moving, it’s easy to miss those small reminders. We fill our days with noise and distraction, and in the process, overlook the gentle ways comfort shows up. That’s why I’ve learned that mindfulness isn’t just about meditation or deep breathing. Sometimes it’s about noticing a rose blooming when it shouldn’t, or hearing a certain song at the exact right moment.
How to Open Yourself to Guidance
We can’t control when or how the signs appear, but we can stop to notice them. Here are a few ways that have helped me:
1. Slow down long enough to notice.
Quiet moments — like your morning coffee or a walk — are often when guidance finds you. Put the phone down, breathe, and let yourself be present.
2. Ask with intention, not expectation.
When I ask my parents for guidance, I don’t demand an answer. I just speak it out loud and trust that if I’m meant to see something, I will.
3. Keep a small “signs” journal.
Write down what catches your attention — songs, numbers, coincidences, dreams, or moments of comfort. Over time, patterns often appear. (You can use my Holiday Moments That Matter Reflection Page to help you stay mindful and present this season.)
4. Pay attention to what feels like peace.
Sometimes the answer isn’t a clear “yes” or “no.” It’s the sense of calm that follows a decision. That feeling is often the sign itself.
5. Explore resources that bring comfort.
A book I’ve added to my reading list is The Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson. It offers ways to understand how messages and meaning can show up in everyday life.
The Real Gift
The truth is, we may never know for sure what’s coincidence and what’s guidance — and maybe that’s the point. What matters is that we’re paying attention.
For me, those roses and Blue Jays were more than signs. They were reminders that love doesn’t stop at loss and that clarity often comes from noticing the beauty right in front of us.
If you’re navigating your own season of uncertainty, I hope you’ll stay open to the gifts that quietly find you. The more we notice them, the more they seem to appear. I don’t know about you, but the more I notice, the more I feel my loved ones close to me and that is the biggest gift of all.
🌟 If you’re feeling like you can use a bit of a nudge this season, download this free Daily Reset It has truly helped me reframe my daily mindset in a positive way and I want to share it with you.
