Life has a peculiar way of weaving lessons into our daily lives. Most of them are unexpected. My first book, “Women, Rice, and Beans,” was published in 2016, marking the first time I called humanity to pay attention to the gold nuggets in our lives. Today, I share this story and offer a bit more insight into my life beyond my career and spiritual path.
I love purses. My well-known weakness for purses, a fact that my daughters playfully tease me about, has been the central character of this blog, leading me to a profound moment of mindfulness and connection. Yes, a purse can do that.
My love for handbags is no secret in my family. Once, my young daughter Isabel, who was about 6 years old at the time, attempted to dissuade me from purchasing yet another purse in New York City. At that particular moment, I was negotiating with the street vendor, knowing full well the extent of my collection. Yes, the Feng Shui Lady who talks about decluttering has a closet full of bags. Try not to judge me.
On my last trip to Italy, after visiting the Museum where Michelangelo’s Statue of David rests, I walked the streets of Florence looking for purses. In this city, you can find amazing purses of great quality at great prices. I had to buy extra luggage to accommodate all the purses I’d acquired for myself and my family and pay an overweight fee at the airport. (Again, please don’t judge me)
It’s safe to say that I have a sort of attachment to purses, and leaving a purse behind was entirely out of character for me.
Yet, on a rainy day during our trip to hike in the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, that’s exactly what happened. We had stopped at a Wendy’s in Fort Chiswell, Virginia, for a quick lunch and to refuel. It wasn’t until we were 40 miles down the road that I realized my beloved purse was missing; one that I bought in Italy.
My heart raced as I called the restaurant. A relief washed over me when they confirmed they had found it. However, my husband’s annoyance was palpable as we faced the prospect of adding another hour to our already long 8-hour drive that day. The pouring rain only compounded his frustration.
As we backtracked, my mind swirled with worries. The purse contained my wallet with ID, cash, credit cards, gift cards, sunglasses, and even our car and house keys. For a moment, fear crept in. What if someone had taken my stuff?
And then, something beautiful happened. The inner work I’d been practicing and teaching kicked in, reminding me of my connection to abundance and the universal source. I chose to trust and remain calm. This simple act of interrupting the pattern well established in women, “Expect the Worst,” calmed my nervous system and allowed me not to have my husband drive faster in bad weather.
I repeated to myself, ” I am aligned with Source.” That’s my mantra when fear gets hold of me.
Upon arriving at Wendy’s, I approached the counter and asked for my purse. The busy cashier pointed to where it sat, untouched. As I retrieved it, a sense of gratitude washed over me. I thanked him and turned to leave; however, something made me pause.
In that moment of stillness, I felt a gentle urge, a whisper from Source, if you will. I opened my wallet, which contained $100 in cash, and without hesitation, I took out $60 and handed it to the cashier.
His eyes lit up with sincere gratitude, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. I understood why I had left my purse behind, something that had never happened before. It wasn’t a mistake or an inconvenience; it was an opportunity to be a conduit for kindness.
In that moment, I realized that we are often called upon to be vessels of generosity and compassion. The man at the counter probably needed some extra money, and through a series of seemingly inconvenient events, I was positioned to help.
When are you a vessel for kindness?
This experience taught me a valuable lesson: when unexpected events occur, instead of becoming frustrated or disconnecting from the moment, we should remain open to the possibility of miracles unfolding. Every detour, every inconvenience, could be an opportunity for us to serve as instruments of kindness and grace.
So, the next time life throws you a curveball, take a deep breath, interrupt your old pattern of reacting, and look for the hidden blessings. Look hard! Ask yourself: “What good might come from this situation? How can I be a force for positivity in this moment?”
Remember, we are all connected in this grand tapestry of life. Sometimes, forgetting a purse isn’t just about the purse; it’s about remembering our shared humanity and the beautiful ways we can touch each other’s lives.
Let this story serve as a gentle reminder to stay present, to trust in the flow of life, and to always be ready to spread a little kindness. After all, you never know when you might be called upon to be someone’s unexpected angel.
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