The other day, a co-worker said into the hushed air, “If anyone wants to bring in some cupcakes, that would be okay with me.” Everyone paused from their duties for a moment and looked at her to try to find the reason. She didn’t say another word, and so everyone went back to work as if nothing had happened at all. A moment later, the woman sitting next to her said “If not cupcakes, I’d sure like bagels.”
For a couple of seconds, I thought about making cupcakes even though I had a lot of other work to do that night. Different cake flavors cycled through my mind and I considered what would be the quickest to fit into my busy schedule. After resigning I couldn’t get it done, I moved onto “why did she say it in the first place?”
“I guess you’re putting that out in the universe to see if it comes back to you?” I asked.
“I’m just sayin’,” she said.
“Good to know.”
The next day, no cupcakes arrived. Bagels either. There was slight disappointment, but co-worker still wore a smile on her face. “It’s okay, I’m getting Chinese food for lunch so that makes up for no cupcakes,” she said.
When lunchtime rolled around I came back to my desk expecting to smell some Orange Chicken in the air. Instead, she was flustered.
“The universe is against me,” she said. “Not only did no cupcakes show up, but now the Chinese restaurant’s phone is broken so I don’t get that either.” Her disappointment caught me. The situation felt more important with the weight of the universe on that lunch order. I couldn’t let it stand with such disappointment heavy on her heart.
“How about I’ll drop off your order on my way to lunch?” I said.
“You’re going that way?” she said.
“No, but I will for you.”
<Insert collective “awwww” from everyone in a four cubicle radius.>
Since that day I’ve thought about this putting things out in the universe to see if they’ll come back. Why don’t we do that more? Maybe because it feels kinda silly saying your wants into the open air? Is it a sense of vulnerability that you will be judged in wanting such a thing? Or is there a guilt at the thought you are somehow asking those around you to supply it?
The interesting part was my co-worker felt none of that. There was nothing self-conscious about her request. She moved along with her merry day as quickly as she stopped to say her piece. She didn’t expect anyone to fill it and didn’t look disappointed when no one jumped up to cater to her needs. She simply stated a simple fact of what she wanted. It was in this fearlessness that something good did come back her way. If she had kept all that to herself, I wouldn’t have been swayed when she couldn’t get the lunch she’d waited for all week. Speaking her mind about her wants resulted in the universe answering it.
I’ve decided to try this out. I’m going to put out positive vibes, thoughts, and sometimes wishes into the world. Not only telling people the things I want, but sharing the great things I see in them. With this we’ll see what kind of things the universe brings back. It could be a sweet smile from a friend, a thank you for helping someone in need, or maybe even the contest win for those Matt and Kim concert tickets they’re giving away that I really want. Whatever it may be, I’m ready to keep my eyes open and live a little more fearless so we can all be in a better place.
And in case you were wondering, the other co-worker got her bagels a few days later. Bestie heard the story and brought in a batch to brighten my day and theirs. Sometimes the universe doesn’t work in mysterious ways, it works in fantastic ones because it’s filled with some pretty damn great people.