A lesson learned from The Universe Has Your Back by Gabby Bernstein

Prior to reading The Universe Has Your Back I was going through a period of change, with lots of uncertainty. At the time I felt extremely uncomfortable, and did not trust if I was making the right decision. This led my inner critic to being extremely negative and created a toxic environment that made my partner, friends and family become distant.

Does this sound familiar?

I recommend this book for anyone going through a period of uncertainty. For example, you might be moving states (or countries), considering ending a relationship, changing jobs or buying a house.

About Gabby Bernstein

The author, Gabby Bernstein, is a motivational speaker and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. She is a spiritual entrepreneur, and her passion is to help people build abundant businesses and attract the careers of their dreams. She is known for her spiritual guidance in meditation, health, business and relationships.

My life before reading The Universe Has Your Back

At the time of purchasing this book, I had just notified my manager I wanted to transfer from Melbourne to Sydney. With a combination of nerves and excitement running through my body, she openly said yes and encouraged me to go.

There were three main reasons I wanted to move:

1. I was in a long distant relationship, and it was time for one of us to move
   
2. My parents had decided to move to Sydney (Mum and I are besties, and need to live in the same state)
   
3. I wanted to work in the Australian head office, to have greater access to Enterprise clients and senior leadership
   

My inner critic became louder as the transfer date moved closer. I experienced thoughts like:

• “You’re kidding yourself if you think this relationship will work. It’s perfectly fine the way it is, why change something that isn’t broken.”
  
  
• “You already work on Enterprise clients. Your work isn’t going to change. Stay where you’re comfortable.”
  
  
• “Sydney is expensive. You can’t afford to live there.”
  
  
• “You have great friends in Melbourne. You’re never going to find friends in Sydney.”
  
  
• “You’re not ready to be a part of your partner’s life. His kids won’t like you.”

Feeling very overwhelmed, anxious and in a bit of a rut, I shared my thoughts with my partner. This made him increasingly nervous and uncertain if I was ready.

Enough was enough

My thoughts and behaviour became extremely toxic. I had all these negative thoughts of uncertainty boiling inside me. I hardly recognised myself.

Until one day I decided enough was enough and I opened up Gabby’s book, in the hope I would learn how to trust the universe. I was desperate to live a divinely guided life, and was in search for practices to transform my fearful thoughts into love. Little did I know how much it was going to change my life.

The book describes and explains “universal lessons”, and provides practical frameworks to help release any blocks you are facing. The lessons are designed to help relinquish your need to “control” a situation, and trust the universe. The process somewhat counterintuitively provides you with a sense of certainty, security and clarity, allowing you to live a life of happiness.

Here’s one example.

Universal lesson: Reconnecting with your power begins by realising you lost it.

Step 1: Be determined to see with love

What is your low vibe story? What judgements are you saying out loud, or to yourself, that are disconnecting you from your power?

Mine was, “I’m not ready to move. My relationship is fine the way it is. I love the work I do in Melbourne.”

How does it make you feel? It’s really important to be honest with yourself. Write it down.

Mine was, uncertain, scared, lost, anxious, resentful.

Now, say out loud “I am determined to see this with love. I surrender this story and let the universe do his or her thing.”

Step 2: Let your feelings navigate your path

Write down how you want to feel?

I wrote:

• I want to enjoy the last few weeks in Melbourne
  
• To feel excited about moving to Sydney
  
• Have trust I have made the right decisions
  
• Act from love and celebrate this new chapter of my life
  
• Have faith that I will be able to create a new life in Sydney, just like I have done in Melbourne.
  
• I want my career journey to accelerate
  
• I want to work on strategic accounts

Step 3: Ask for a sign

What is the first thing you think of?

Mine was a butterfly.

This sign will be a gentle reminder from the universe that you’re on track with the energy and flow of love.

Step 4: Turn it over to the universe, and be patient

Make the space to see your sign but don’t try to control or manipulate your sign. Be patient.

Some signs appear quickly, and others don’t. If you don’t see your sign after a few days then it’s either not meant to be, or you have something blocking you. There may be personal fears you need to clear first.

Say out loud: “Thank you universe, for offering me clarity. Show me a sign if I am moving in the right direction.“

Step 5: Be open, and welcome creative possibilities

Asking for a sign is one way of realising the universe is supporting us. Be open to creative opportunities. Shift your mindset from the limitations of your practical ideas and be open to creative thinking and possibilities.

Say out loud: “Thank you universe for transforming limitation and doubt into creative opportunities.”

Within an hour I saw not one but three butterflies!

In that moment the weight lifted from my shoulders. I knew moving to Sydney was the right decision. It was the right step for both my relationship and my career. I was on the right path, and the universe had my back, and I now felt safe.

This exercise was truly moving. Now every time I see a butterfly it’s a reminder I’m on the right path, and it gives me confidence within myself. I honestly get so excited and jump up and down with enthusiasm. I feel divinely guided.

Rinse and Repeat

I have used this practice on multiple occasions since introducing it into my life. Most recently about my relationship.

As outlined above, I recently moved from Melbourne to Sydney to be with my partner after doing long distance for some time. I thought moving to Sydney would be easy, and I would have more time with my partner. However the reality was far from it.

My daily and weekly routine was completely out of whack. Instead of a short 15 minute walk to work in Melbourne, I now had a 45-60 minute commute to and from work (walk, ferry and train). I was unable to find a gym that suited my lifestyle and personality, so I was not training regularly. The lack of exercise affected my mood, and how I felt within myself. When I did train, it added more time to my daily commute. The few friends I had in Sydney lived so far away, making it difficult to catch up.

I now had less time with my partner than before, and I lost trust that moving to Sydney was the right decision. Seriously homesick, I started taking it out on my partner, and as a result, we were fighting and bickering, every day. Toxic and negative energy surrounded us.

I started thinking we weren’t going to last, and I was a fool to think it ever would. I craved the way we used to be, and I didn’t want our relationship to end. In tears every night, I eventually had enough of being miserable, grabbed Gabby’s book and repeated the exercise.

Within a day I was surrounded by butterflies (my “sign” remained the same). I felt at peace even though my routine was still in a state of flux. My energy shifted, and I returned to love. My relationship also shifted, instantly, and I sent photos to my partner of all the butterflies I could see.

Additional learnings from The Universe Has Your Back

Here are some additional concepts and practical frameworks you’ll learn from The Universe Has Your Back.

• Mantras – in this case, a number of positive affirmations to repeat regularly – designed to return you to love, and remove uncertainty.
• Guided meditations to have greater awareness of self, and trust in the universe.
• Practical exercises on:
  • Understanding your true power
  • How to shed old habits and embrace a new way of being
  • Freeing yourself from fear
  • How to release blockages in your life
  • Finding strength in your weakest moments
  • How to let go of uncertainty and trust you’re on the right path

FIIT Collective Rating: 10/10

I recommend the Universe Has Your Back for anyone experiencing a period of uncertainty, or significant change in their life. Gabby shares a lot of personal, relatable stories throughout which demonstrate the power of these universal life lessons.

I can say from personal experience, it’s not just theory, or airy fairy spirituality. The concepts she shares really do work. However like everything in life, you need to do the work to experience the results.

Buy the book. Do the exercises. You won’t regret it.

Buy The Universe Has Your Back