It's tough, isn't it? Things must be going well. 7 Signs Before Great Fortune Comes In
There are sudden moments that we dismiss as mere coincidence. However, they could be decisive moments that change our lives. I won't let them slip away. Let's look into it in advance and embrace it with an open mind.
➊ Experience an unexpected trial
It is only when one realizes, "There is no eternal pain, nor eternal joy; everything changes," that one's perspective truly opens up. This is the common sentiment among monks practicing in Kathmandu, Nepal, who study happiness and the mind. If you thought you had lived a diligent life but suddenly face a trial, consider it a decisive moment that changes your life. It is to help you accept life's changes, learn to understand the suffering of others, and become a stronger person.
➋ Opportunities to meet strangers increase.
If you find yourself having more opportunities to meet strangers, your life may be changing. The Dalai Lama advises that during such times, if you are particularly impressed by someone at a first meeting or feel that they are "something special," you should observe them closely. In particular, people you run into here and there without an appointment are highly likely to be destined to bring positive change, rather than mere coincidence. If there was someone you felt sick and disgusted by the moment you met them, that, too, is fate. This discomfort stems from unresolved emotions or beliefs on your part. New opportunities arise only when you accept the teachings of others with a truly open mind.
➌ The rice tastes better
World-renowned meditation teacher Eckhart Tolle states in his book that life changes when we reach a moment of deep immersion in the present. If the meal you eat every day suddenly tastes good, and you are slowly savoring its flavor and texture, you may be experiencing "awakening." Do not miss this moment. Your life will completely change if you practice letting go of anxieties and worries about the past and future, and fully experiencing every moment of the present. You can train this by focusing solely on your breath for five minutes every morning or by concentrating on the sensations felt in everyday moments.
➍ Repeat the same mistake
Thich Nhat Hanh, author of *The Book of Tibetan Wisdom*, said, “We grow by repeating the same mistakes. If we do not notice those mistakes, fate brings them back.” This means that if you are repeatedly encountering the same types of relationships or similar obstacles, it is a message sent by fate. Fate sends these messages endlessly until you recognize them yourself and respond in a way different from the past. Thich Nhat Hanh stated, “Only when you change does a new flow of life open up.”
➎ Becomes more stubborn
There are times when you feel the urge to be stubborn, even when everyone says it won't work and it seems like a wrong decision objectively. The Dalai Lama advises against ignoring the signals of intuition, stating that "intuition is not merely an emotion, but the sum of the unconscious." It is a moment when wisdom of the mind emerges, rather than stubbornness. If you are someone who usually bases decisions on data and objective facts, but suddenly find yourself unable to ignore your inner voice, that is a sign of life. The Dalai Lama says, "If you feel peaceful and stable when making a decision based on intuition, that is the right choice."
⑥ There are things that just won't work, no matter how hard you try.
Let go when it is time to let go. Then, more will come your way. Historical spiritual leaders have all said this. If you hold onto something for too long, the space for new possibilities to enter disappears. This is because attachment to existing relationships, goals, and expectations hinders the flow of destiny. If there are problems that cannot be solved no matter how hard you try, or things that cannot be achieved, let go. Life is leading you elsewhere.
⑦ A feeling of gratitude arises
Gratitude suddenly enters a life endured with the thought, "I wish the world would end tomorrow." You are grateful that there is a company to go to, grateful that it is less cold than yesterday, grateful that the colleague next to you is kind... It is neither a coincidence nor a hormonal imbalance. It is simply the time to notice more opportunities. An attitude of gratitude is the most powerful signal that the flow of life is changing positively. If the signal hasn't arrived yet, you can create it. Writing down three things to be grateful for every day is a method recommended by the Dalai Lama.
Source: GQ
This article was written with reference to the Dalai Lama's books *The Dalai Lama's Theory of Happiness* and *The Tibetan Book of Wisdom*, Eckhart Tolle's *Awakening Here and Now*, and Thich Nhat Hanh's *Thich Nhat Hanh Interbing: 14 Mindfulness Practices That Change My Life and the World*.