Everything Happens For a Reason

I’m truly flabbergasted (that’s a word, isn’t it?) at just how fortunate I am in my life – at this time in particular.

There has been so much change of late… and if you know me at all, you’ll know that I love change. I embrace change and always see changes as blessings in disguise (even if something happens that could be considered “bad”, it always works out for the best – I am a big believer in this!)

A couple of months ago I was feeling a little bit stressed about finances…. I absolutely loved my mental health advocate role but I wasn’t getting enough work so money had been very tight. I started a gratitude journal around this time and I made a point of everyday, still being happy with what I had…. I made a point of everyday, still being grateful for everything in my life – because things could always be worse, and I know this from my life experience!

Perhaps a week or two after starting my gratitude journal, I hear about a job possibility through a friend… and then within another two weeks I had myself a new permanent fulltime position at a mental health organisation in Fremantle… and I didn’t even have to be interviewed for it. It was basically given to me on a silver platter.

I was gob-smacked at just how quickly the universe had answered my prayers. The perfect job for me right now; perfect location and it is a job that I am truly passionate about (helping people on their journey to recovery).

It was also at this time that I had the misfortune of having some problems with my housemate. This could have been seen to be a negative turn of events, and it did create some stress around my future accommodation options… however in the nick of time the universe came through with the goods again. I decided to look for another apartment to live in by myself (now that I could afford to with the new job). On my first look at the REIWA website, I see the perfect little apartment in east Fremantle, just around the corner from my current home…

It was bright, it was open and it was cute to boot.

It was perfect… and I know I will be so happy there. And the address?

111 ******* street. Perhaps another sign from the universe? (if you believe in that kind of thing)

I put an application in straight away.

So within the same week that I was offered my new job, I was offered a lease agreement…

AND… Within that same week I was to hear from Heidi (92.9 morning show) in regard to recording a podcast with her. And THEN I hear about my TedX application having made the shortlist!

I also received a couple more speaking opportunities with WAAMH in September, and met some nice new friends (which is always a bonus).

The thing that amazes me more than anything, is this.

When I had a manic episode back in 2010, all I wanted was to get a job in Fremantle and rent my own apartment in east Fremantle (this is because I was in love with a particular spot along the river in east Fremantle – right near the left bank). I wanted a brand-new Hyundai at the time too.

Of course, none of this panned out for me at the time…. As I was unwell…I hadn’t completed my journey through illness to the other side. I still had many lessons to learn (persistence and patience being two of them!)

But now… 7 years later, here I am with absolutely everything I wanted back then…. Except it is even better than I ever could have imagined. I am truly blessed to have received so many wonderful gifts in my life. I am so grateful.

So the lesson here is this. Never give up on your dreams…

…If you have the courage to pursue them, life and the universe will do everything it can to make your dreams come true. It may have taken me longer to get what I wanted, but that’s OK because that is the journey I was meant to go on. If I hadn’t gone on that journey all those years ago, I wouldn’t be the passionate, resilient, compassionate person I am today.

Everything. And I mean everything. Happens for a reason.

I just wanted to say one last thing… specifically in relation to manic experiences.

I believe that if you have a manic episode, sure you need to recover from this to move forward with your life in a healthy, balanced way. But you can take away something very valuable from your manic experiences…. I believe that the way someone is when they are manic, gives a big clue as to what they are destined to become. In a way… it allows you to see someone’s full potential, it allows you to see into the very depth of a person’s psyche. For me…I still see my manic episode, as much more than simply mental illness. I see my manic episode as a preview of what may be to come…

But only IF you have the courage and the persistence to follow your heart and follow your dreams!