This week, I got a huge sign from the Universe. On Monday night, I was supposed to go to the Harvard Night of Networking, and I was really looking forward to it. I love flashing my smile, handing out business cards, and meeting new people. Despite my excitement about networking with my fellow Harvard folks, my intuition urged me to go to El Mercado, a Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood that my friend Amber suggested I rent out for the launch celebration for my book Be Your Own Boyfriend. I was super-skeptical about the location when my friend suggested it. I had imagined my book launch as a chic affair a la Sex and the City—not Tres Amigos on Cinco de Mayo. However, after looking at the bright, beautiful photos of the location online, I was intrigued and decided to check it out.

My friend Leah and I scoped out the space and were really pleased with it. It was bright, fun, colorful, a great price, convenient location, and the food was good. While we were eating, I was shocked to recognize (from behind no less!), my friend’s dad. It turns out my friend’s whole family was at the restaurant. This family didn’t belong to just any friend either.

It was my high school sweetheart who died earlier this year and to whom I dedicated the book.

As I gleefully hugged his mom, sister, and dad, his mom said to me, “The last time we were all here together was for Josh’s high school graduation. I am so happy to see you! How amazing that we would run into each other!”

I had completely forgotten that I had ever been to this restaurant, but in fact, the last time I had ever been there was over ten years ago with my friend to whom the book was dedicated. Not only that, his family was there at the same time as me even though they live nearly an hour away. I knew it was a sign, and made the reservation for the restaurant the next day.

I had been agonizing over where to have the launch party and what it should be like. At one point, I even considered not having a party at all because it had all started to feel like too much trouble. The answer finally came because I was open to someone’s suggestion, and then followed my intuition. I came home that night so deeply grateful for such a beautiful sign that this quirky Mexican restaurant featuring live music is where my book launch party should be. It was a reminder to me that no concern is too big or too small for the Universe / God / Source / whatever you like to call it to handle. The Universe is always nudging us in the right direction, (dis)solving our problems, and showing us the way as long as we will surrender, be open, and be willing to see the signs.

Have you gotten a sign from the Universe recently?

Come and tell me about it in the comments below!

Love,
Kaneisha

P.S. Live in Austin? Please come celebrate with me!