I'm Being Helped

Last night I did a ritual to tune into the energetic power of 11/11. It was designed by an energy healer I know named Jennifer Matthews. Today I've been repeating some mantras/affirmations that are connected to that ritual. In addition, I said my prayers this morning and pulled a Goddess card (Doreen Virtue's deck). The Goddess card was Abundantia, which basically means abundance and prosperity is coming to you. Instead of scoffing at this card, like I did last time I pulled it a week or two ago (thinking, "Yeah right! I'm not seeing any abundance. Why do you keep getting this card? It's such a crock!"), I read the various meanings to myself slowly, and rejoiced that I had received the card and set the expectation that this would be true for me today.

And I set a plan for what money I was going to spend for the day, and on what.

On my way to work, I noticed that the scaffolding had been removed from the front facade of one of the blocks that I walk on every day to get to work. It was so refreshing to have so much light on that sidewalk, and to see the front of the building, which is quite beautiful, with metal scrolling and various other embellishments on it (the building is near Grand Central Station, you may be familiar with this style of some of the buildings near there). I decided to go into Pret a Manger to buy myself some lunch, even though I was late for work, because five more minutes wouldn't make a big difference and I was very hungry.

The guy who rang me up asked why I didn't buy any coffee with my meal and I told him I don't usually drink coffee, so he suggested coming back later today for a chai. He told me he makes the best chai. I asked him when he works until. He said 3:30. I decided I just might go back, even though chai wasn't in my spending plan for the day. He was so charming and I thought it'd be fun to return as a little break in my day.

Of course I almost forgot until at about 3, I started to get a little sleepy and hungry. So, I went back, and he remembered me right away and said, "You're here for the chai." I smiled and nodded "yes." And I waited while he finished helping another customer. Every time the other guy behind the counter asked if someone needed help, I waved the other people behind me in line forward, saying, "I'm being helped." That felt lovely.

And before I knew it, I was presented with a beautiful, foamy chai latte with a star design in cinnamon atop the foam, and my friend was singing "Happy Birthday" to me, and I was blushing. Both men smiled. I told my friend that my birthday wasn't for another three weeks. When he rang me up, he discounted my chai because it was my first time trying his chai. Then the other guy, who I think is the manager, adjusted it and the register read "$0.00," because, he said, "It was my first time."

When I exclaimed how kind that was, they said to tell all their friends. Then my friend said, "Then they'll all come wanting it for free." I assured him that part would be our little secret.

This made my day. And it felt like a sign that I'm tuning into the stream of pure, positive energy and abundance.

"I'm being helped." How true that is.

A side note: When I returned to work and shared with my (male coworker) what had happened, he kept asking if the guys at Pret had wanted my phone number in return, and he said they were hitting on me. That may or may not be the case, but why is it that men so often assume the worst about other men? Have we forgotten that flirtation can be innocent and fun and light, without expectations or bargains involved? As Regena Thomashauer, aka Mama Gena, says, flirting is defined as "enjoying oneself in another's company." After all, eros is the life force and we can all use a little extra shot of it every now and then in the midst of the work day, within reason, of course.