The Art of Precision or, Be Careful What You Wish For

We all have natural abilities. Sometimes we are conscious of them and use them well. Sometimes we don’t ever fully discover them. Some people have the gift of being able to make anything work. Others can tell stories that keep you listening for hours. Everyone has something – some have many things. I can shape the weather. As much as this is a natural ability, I’ve had the chance to enhance it since taking Level 2 – Ancient Shamanism.

You may remember my story of how I became truly aware that I have this talent. (Rain Rain Go Away…) Since that time, I’ve consciously practiced and honed it, to the point where I can now simply place my order and my request is delivered. The trick, I’ve found, is to be precise and specific.

For a few years, I prepared detailed reports that required the inspection of buildings. Our goal was to take inventory of building, electrical and mechanical components. Roughly 25% of the inspections were outside. An important part of these on-site visits was taking photographs for use in the report.

When photographing the exterior of buildings, the weather has a profound effect. Rain makes things difficult. Lack of light is the least of it – rain drops in the foreground obscure details and puddles cover up whole areas. Bright sunshine makes things difficult also – there are many shiny parts on a building, and bright light makes the photos seem over exposed. Recent rain combined with bright sunshine is one of the worst scenarios.

One day, I had an inspection in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver, British Columbia. We always worked in a team – an inspector and a data collector. Both the inspector and I were driving from the North Shore. I was amazed at how little visibility there was in the heavy rain. Just then, the inspector called to see if we should cancel the inspection – due to the rain.

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But wait … I forgot to mention that I’d already placed my order. We’d been having a lot of heavy rain in Vancouver so I had started preparing the night before. I knew we only needed a two hour window with no rain. I also was very specific – I only wanted the rain to stop. I did not want the sun to come out during that time. The flat roof was bound to have pooling water and photographs would be impossible if the sun was shining. The time frame? 9am to 11am pacific time, please and thank you very much.

I was confident despite the deluge. So I joked with the inspector about already placing my order. We’d be just fine, I told him. Of course I had a backup plan…. Just to be sure, I reiterated my order, with an extra does of gratitude, just to quiet my own “monkey mind”.

When I arrived at the building, it was 20 minutes to 9am. The rain had slowed to a spit. By 9am, all precipitation had stopped completely. The inspector seemed a little dazed. He couldn’t quite process the shift from torrential downpour a half hour before.

I decided we’d start our work from the top down so we headed to the roof first. But we’d leave the interior until the end – just because I was confident in the delivery of my order, it didn’t make sense to waste the grace.

The sun started to break out briefly so I did some quick clarifying. I even said it out loud, “Thank you but no sunshine until after 11am please. ” It only took a few minutes before the clouds moved to block out the few rays coming through. It was almost cartoon-like how fast this happened. The inspector gave me a puzzled look, and made some wisecrack about talking to myself. What could I do but smile?

We finished our inspection by five after 11am and decided to go to a coffee shop a few blocks away to debrief. As you’ll recall, my order was for no rain until 11am. So I suggested we drive even though we could have walked in a few minutes. I told the inspector that my order had run out so we needed to be prepared for the rain to return. He just shook his head in that way that people do when they’re convinced you’re simply not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

When we left the coffee shop 20 minutes later, it was pouring rain again. We stood under the eaves for a few minutes and laughed at how perfectly timed it was. He was sure it was all a coincidence. I know full well the Universe delivered exactly what I had ordered.

The best part? I’ve practiced using this power tool so much now that as long as I’m precise and specific with what I’m asking for, and as long as my request is made with gratitude, the Universe delivers my order first time, every time.

~ Nancy Marsh, Level 1 Teacher