The Youniverse Is Listening, and I Have Proof!

So this week, on two very specific occasions, the Youniverse really made itself present in my life. It reminded me, so that I would continue to remind the world, that we are not alone and they are here to help if we are willing to listen to the messages and nudges.

The first was a few mornings ago. I was dropping my daughter off at school, and when I came home, I was putting the visor in the window when I saw the chip I have hidden behind the mirror. I was thinking out loud that I wanted to see if the Youniverse is really listening to me, or if, as some people tend to think, it is technology.

For a period of time, whenever something would be on my mind, I would see it pop up on social media. I didn’t think I ever told anyone about it or even said anything, but I couldn’t always recall. So I said, “Okay, Youniverse, I am not saying this out loud—I am saying it in my mind’s eye so that my phone is not listening. Send me a message for my window to get fixed, and then I will know that it is you communicating with me and not technology.”

That was at 9 a.m. So I went into the house, went straight to my desk to get back to work. I put my phone next to me and forgot all about it. A bit later, 9:49 to be specific, a thought popped into my head that I had not heard any notifications for messages on my phone do I have them turned off? I picked up my phone, and a text message was showing on my home screen:

“Hey, it’s Matt with the Auto Glass Company. I have some promos right now for windshield replacements. Do you have any damages…”

I was in shock.

The Youniverse clearly is listening and blatantly told me so. I had to tell everyone because if everyone knows, they will realize that the Youniverse is listening, and they can learn to talk to it too.

The next evening, my kiddo had volleyball practice, and we were driving in the car when she expressed to me that she wasn’t excited about going because the older girls on her new team don’t like her. There was a group party, and they added her to a group chat late after a bonding party had already been planned.

I told her I understood and that it won’t always be that way. A few minutes passed, and the song In The Middle by Jimmy Eat World came on. That song always shows up for me right when I am mentally contemplating my self-worth in the world. It happened so often—it was perfect timing—but this time I was standing strong in myself. It was my daughter who was feeling unaccepted.

I looked over at her and said, “You know, when I first moved to Arizona, I had no friends, and there were a few times I felt left out and not accepted by the people I was becoming friends with.” I went on to explain that every time it was bothering me, this song would come on and I would feel better, and I asked her to listen to the words.

So we both sang along to the song loudly, and it got me a bit sappy and teary-eyed because I knew that was a core moment for her.

So she went to practice and toughed it out. She felt as though she did much better this time, but still had some rude comments when she made errors. I apologized again and reminded her that this too will pass, and to keep being herself and showing up—and she said she would.

Well, volleyball is every other day, so a few days later we had her boyfriend in the car with us on the way to volleyball. This time, though, we were way ahead of schedule compared to a few days before when suddenly the Jimmy Eat World song came on.

I looked at her in the rearview mirror—she was in the backseat—and I said, “Look what’s on.”

She said, “Yeah, I hear it.”

And I said, “Where are we going right now?”

She said, “Volleyball…”

I said, “Yeah, we’re going to volleyball, and this song came on just for you.”

And suddenly she got it and said, “Oh yeah, I remember!”

So I told her to share the story with her boyfriend and how the Youniverse plays it at just the right times to remind us of what the song is saying. And again, we all sang the song together, loud, and really felt the lyrics this time because the song showed her that it is true—the Youniverse does show up for you at just the right times, like I had told her.

When practice ended, we were all headed home, and I asked her how practice went. She said, “You know that one mean girl? She gave a compliment.”

I was so happy for her. And she said, “And you know what, Mom? I kept finding myself singing that song in my head, and it reminded me—and I did better.”

That was such a rewarding mom moment.

The Youniverse not only showed up for my daughter, but it showed up for me once again as I am raising my daughter. And I felt so incredibly loved and supported. Now my daughter has felt it too, and a beautiful seed was planted in her young mind.

I had to share this relatable moment with you all because a lot of you are parents, and a lot of you are just living life feeling alone. I am here to tell you that you are not alone—and when you talk to the Youniverse, it talks back. You just have to listen.

Here is the song. I bet it has a message for you too!

Jimmy Eat World - In The Middle Lyrics 

Hey, don't write yourself off yet

It's only in your head; you feel left out

Or looked down on

Just try your best

Try everything you can

And don't you worry what they tell themselves

When you're away

It just takes some time

Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride

Everything, everything'll be just fine

Everything, everything'll be alright, alright

Hey, you know they're all the same

You know you're doing better on your own (on your own)

So don't buy in

Live right now

Yeah, just be yourself

It doesn't matter if it's good enough (good enough)

For someone else

It just takes some time

Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride

Everything, everything'll be just fine

Everything, everything'll be alright, alright