Do you ever think the Universe is trying to tell you something?

Hiya WA peeps...

Have you ever wondered if the universe is trying to tell you something?

I've never been particularly superstitious, after all I walk under ladders at every given opportunity, and my lucky number is 13 - and lucky day Friday the 13th... you get the idea. But for a few years now, I have begun to feel that everything we experience in life happens for a reason.

A few years ago, I wrote a fiction novel. A dear friend, a respected book coach and multi-book author in her own right, helped me through the process of crafting the story line and getting my first 60,000 word novel completed. I self published this book on Amazon - it's called Fraud & Fabrication if you're interested.

Whilst the book is complete fiction, I did draw on life experience and observed life experiences of others to breathe color, personality and soul into the cast of characters within the story.

They say that your first novel is your best and your worst work, and I can truly say that this is true of my book. It took me the best part of ten years to percolate the idea... one year to write it, a month to get it edited & polished... a week to do the book cover... and only a day to self publish on create space (Amazon).

Unfortunately when the book was published a few people read it and jumped to wild conclusions that the book was referencing them in some way, including my own mother who rang and point blank asked me if I loved my father more than I loved her! Then, a past neighbor rang a girlfriend of mine to try and get hold of a copy, because they wanted to see if they were in the book!

There is a sequel to follow - but to be honest, it was a scary experience putting my first book out there for others to read, judge and make assumptions about. From my early elation of finally writing THE book and ticking it off my bucket list, I was left a wee bit dented by the reaction of those that matter to me and my confidence took a knock.

Fast forward three years to November 2017 and some random things have happened. I can only explain it as the 'universe is sending me a sign.' It has sent me three signs actually. So here goes;

Is it a sign #1?

A guest (from the UK - halfway around the world) staying at our lodge came into reception holding a copy of MY book which she had bought, and told me she loved it. She asked me to sign her copy of the book and wanted me to keep in touch with her about when the sequel was coming out.

Is it a sign #2?

I recently joined a writers group on Facebook and was asked to read and review a book written by a fellow author Julie Cross. The book is entitled Just who does she think she is? It's an absolutely inspirational read. If you think you've heard the name Julie Cross before, you may well have - she is the 46 year old woman who posted a photo of herself in a bikini on facebook that went viral... http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-st...

One of the big takeouts from Julie's story is that she didn't allow the negativity of others shape her life, her happiness or aspirations.

Is it a sign #3?

Lately I've been pondering whether to continue with the sequel to the first book, so it has been on my mind a bit.

I turned on the TV and there was a US documentary on about independent publishing called Love Between The Covers. I was watching it with half my attention, when I saw my book flash across the TV screen!!

Not believing my eyes, I leaped up from the couch screaming to my husband to rewind quick and there it was... my book plain as day on screen for all the world to see. Below are a couple of photos of our TV to prove I didn't dream it!!

So was it a sign? Or just a crazy coincidence?

If nothing else, I think I've learned a valuable lesson over the past few days:

Do you ever think the Universe is trying to tell you something?