Signs and Tests

[tourennatrix]

I'm not 100% sure where to put this, so my apologies if this is in the wrong place...

I'm curious how you might tell the difference between "challenges to overcome" and "signs to back off or change direction"?

In my personal example, this year I began job hunting on January 2nd because my employment was meant to just be temporary for the winter. I was applying at so many places, and expected a fair amount of rejection, but it became extremely taxing, exhausting, and disheartening that this was still going on through the end of March. However at that point, my seasonal job was extended through the year (though not with as many hours as I would have liked) so I withdrew myself from the job market. Within a week I had 2 interview offers, but ended up declining the jobs for ~reasons~... On the last weekend in April I went to my brother's graduation from a technical college and two days later I had submitted my application for a program at a local community college. I was accepted within 2 weeks and now I'll be starting classes next month! The decision to follow this radical new (and expensive) path was obviously terrifying, but it happened so fast it didn't quite feel like I was the one doing it. (I'm pretty sure my therapist would posit that this means that it was definitely ME doing it, rather than my anxious parts trying to fix everything that was wrong in my life, which is how I feel more often!)

For the longest time I felt like the universe was challenging me, saying "if you really want to get a new job and make it on your own, you're going to have to prove to yourself how bad you really want it!" But after a while that almost started feeling like, well almost like a rather abusive relationship? So maybe, I thought, it was actually a sign, saying "no, this is not your path, you need to go back to school and if you get this new job now it will never happen."

I feel like I'm going to run into a lot of things like this over the next couple years while I'm in school (balancing work/schoolwork and balancing budgets especially).

I'm curious of everyone's thoughts! What do you think was going on in the cosmos of my job hunt? Have you had any similar experiences? How did they go? How do *you* tell the difference between a challege to overcome and a sign to change direction?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[SpiritTalker]

I'd do the same as you ... Go by opportunities & results. We seldom get comfortably advance notice. Id got the job that helped me thru my last year of school because I'd seen a "now hiring " sign put in a window while I waited for a traffic light to change. Reoccurring themes & repeating symbolism are indicators of lessons woven into the fabric. I commend you for recognizing the tricky attitude of a self-defeating pattern of thought.

[casnarl]

How do *you* tell the difference between a challege to overcome and a sign to change direction?

I have experienced this a lot in my attempts to be an adult. As I was quite spoiled and wanted for nothing as a kid I still sort of expect to always get what I WANT and not what I NEED. But as I am finding the universe doesn't care what I want, and it is only going to give me what I need.

I don't know about in the moment, but I've had similar experiences where I have tried so hard at something only to then let it go and have something, or someone, great come into my life. I call it a success when the thing I receive winds up being better than whatever it was I wanted. For example, finally giving up on my ex after trying to get him back for 7 months only to be bored one night and make a tinder and meet this super duper duper amazing guy that I would not have met otherwise. For so long I was so confused why I couldn't have my ex back I saw it like the universe wouldn't let me and I was going to do whatever it was I had to to get him -the challenge to overcome- but turns out all I had to do was let it go and get bored enough for tinder. And now I got new, better guy.

[SpiritTalker]

I had to look up what it meant to "make a tinder" & found it is a photo exchange, casual dating, social media Ap. I'm glad this has worked as intended for you Cas, but the risks of misuse rang human & sex trafficking alarm bells. Please, for anyone considering the AP, use caution. People lie for a lot of reasons.

[beemerphill]

I too did not know what this "tinder" thing was. Sounds dangerous. Many people will lie to get what they want and do not care if others get hurt in the process. We went to bars to meet people. that too had its dangers, but the people you met could not be quite as anonymous in a bar as on the web. Be careful.
As to the OP-when a person is looking for answers you will always get one. The trick is to know what you are getting. Just as casnarl thought that she wanted her EX back, she received another in his place. She was answered, but not in the way she had planned. One must keep your eyes and mind BOTH open. The answer will not always be simple. You must be clever enough to realize what it is, and then bold enough to use it.

[blue_moon]

Signs... and Jobs...

When I was in school I had NO idea what i would want to be when i grow up. I was shy and scared , I liked to stay unseen in class and try not to stand out to much with good grades or comments. (My family background didn't make it easy for me either and if I would have felt save enough I would be a certified artist now at least, or an anthropologist who knows..)

But Jobs allways came to me as signs! By chance I found my fist good paying job right after i finished school and then applied for art school only three months later. I worked for interesting, odd, wounderfull people, did stuff I was really good at and had quite some fun. Right now I'm working as an english teacher for the older generations I LOVE my Job! I found the add, just like all the others, by chance - and automatically answered and got the Job.

...this means that it was definitely ME doing it, rather than my anxious parts trying to fix everything that was wrong in my life...

I see all these succesfull people around me, who have all this money to spend, don't have to worry about a broken car really or frequently take their family on 2 week vaccations. these people are around me, we live in the same Universe. I don't think the Universe trys to show me what I COULD have if i REALLY wanted... but that is exactly what it fells like. I can totally relate to my feelings.

I will be 38 end of this year, coincidentally (geez... having trouble finding the right words, spent the day with my german friends and my head is so NOT english right now ) I met this lady - she could be my mother actually - and she inspired me to start a career. We had a long talk and she said she will help and support me to earn money and finance the school i want to go to. It really was a total coincidence that braught us together. The Universe just waited until I was ready to take the steps that I need to take.

have faith! I think you are doing just the right thing!

[tourennatrix]

These are great, guys! I love seeing your input and experiences! Thanks for sharing