Can Life Step Up for You? Does the Universe Really Have Your Back?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where everything seemed to go wrong, only to be unexpectedly saved by a twist of fate? I certainly did. 

Back in 2018/19, I was grappling with profound existential questions. The search for answers consumed me so much that I took an unpaid leave from work. During this period of reflection, my colleagues gifted me a book titled The Universe Has Your Back. 

As an engineer, this wasn't my usual reading material, but my colleagues had added little personal notes throughout the book and that made me flick through the chapters just to find their notes. 

As I did, a question lingered in my mind: Could there have been moments in my life when it felt like the universe had my back? One particular experience stands out, even though it was one of the lowest and most embarrassing moments I’ve faced!

A Humbling Experience

Years ago, fresh out of my Master’s degree, I landed a job in a new city. With finances being very tight, I was determined to find the most affordable accommodation, which meant renting a room in a shared house. In the UK, these were typically advertised with weekly rates.

Early one morning, I embarked on a gruelling 3-hour bus journey to the city and began my room search at 8 AM. By 4 PM, with no success, I was exhausted, hungry, and desperate. 

There were no smartphones or Google Maps back then and I relied on a piece of paper where I had written down the addresses and phone numbers of properties and landlords. Being new to the city, I had to ask people for directions. 

As I picked out the next address from my sheet, a woman happened to walk past and I thought I’d ask her for directions. But before I could speak, she raised her hand and said, “No, no, no…I don’t have any money,” assuming I was begging! 

It’s funny now, but it hit me really hard then! But believe it or not, right at that moment, my phone rang.

The voice on the other end inquired about a missed call from my number. I explained I was searching for a room and he replied, “I’m at the house now. Can you come over?” It was a 25-minute walk, so I asked if he could wait, but he kindly offered to pick me up.

The man, in his 60s, drove me to a room that was the best I had seen all day. However, when I handed him my cash—just enough for two weeks—he looked confused. He needed a month’s rent in advance plus another month’s deposit. 

I explained that, since the rent was advertised weekly, I had assumed it was a week’s rent in advance and a week’s deposit. Desperate, I even showed him my job offer letter and promised to pay the balance once I received my first paycheck. Miraculously, he trusted me and gave me the room.

A Twist of Fate

Just a week into my new job, the landlord called and asked me to leave! He said his wife had discovered the missing deposit and insisted on my departure. Panicked, I considered asking the CEO for an advance but hesitated.

Then, in an unexpected twist, the CEO’s wife approached my desk. “I’m about to process salaries and noticed we don’t have your bank details,” she said. 

I explained it had only been a week since I started and she informed me that, as salaries were processed monthly, I’d be paid for my first two weeks the next working day. I immediately contacted the landlord and managed to keep the room.

Cosmic Support or Coincidence?

When I look back, I can’t help but feel as though a higher power looked out for me. Whether you attribute it to the universe, god, luck, or mere coincidence (no causation), these moments do feel special. 

They might be significant, like my housing situation, or minor, like getting an upgrade on a flight or catching all green lights. But they happen more often than we think. Here’s the secret to noticing them:

• Accept that these moments exist.

• Be present in the moment.

• Don’t expect them to happen.
  

The Power of Presence and Gratitude

People who miss these moments typically fall into three categories:

• They deny their existence.

• They are perpetually preoccupied.

• They focus on what doesn’t go their way and feel entitled.
  

If you don’t want to miss these moments, just tell yourself, “These special moments do exist,” and then simply be present. Don’t search for them or expect them. Your brain will start to notice these moments naturally. 

You might just discover that the universe—or whatever you choose to call it—has been looking out for you all along!

And if you’re curious about how gratitude and presence can further enhance your happiness, check out my other article on the Chocolate Method of Happiness.

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