Reading The Signs, December 2nd

Does anyone remember the hilarious and relatable movie from way back in the early 90s called Singles? It was a Cameron Crowe picture featuring an ensemble cast including Kyra Sedgwick, Matt Dillon, and Campbell Scott. All the characters were in their early 20s pondering love and the challenges of adulthood. Bridget Fonda played the warm, memorable, and struggling character Janet who was always looking to the universe for a sign that would tell her what to do.

In one scene she isn’t sure if she should call the guy she’s crushing on or not because of course he hadn’t called her. So she throws a piece of crumpled up paper into the garbage from a far distance, deciding out loud that if she makes the basket then it’s fate telling HER to call HIM. (Who hasn’t done something similar??) Of course she misses. And then immediately blurts out, “Wait, did no basket mean call him or don’t call him?” It’s a total classic.

What about the movie Sleepless in Seattle? Just as Annie is trying on a vintage wedding dress, and set to marry a man she’s not sure she should be with, the sleeve rips! And she thinks it could be a sign to not get married. (Yep) In a later scene she is having dinner with her ex-finance (post break up) telling him about her pen pal in Seattle. She was supposed to meet the mystery man on the top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. And just as she mentions it, the building literally lights up with a gigantic heart. And she says, “It’s a sign!” Her ex, being a good guy says, “Who needed a sign?” That’s what I’m talkin’ about!

I do things like this all the time. If the light turns green at one particular intersection in Pennsylvania, the universe is literally directing my car straight to Curiosity Doughnuts. Or if I am thinking of making a homemade spinach artichoke recipe and I walk into the grocery store and there is a special on spinach. I should make the dang dip, right? However the opposite also holds true. If I see a fabulous pair of shoes and they are sold out of my size, like that gorgeous pair of slingback flats with the pearls, they must not be meant for me, right? That is… unless I check their website and every other shop online to make sure that the message from the universe was absolutely clear and I wasn’t supposed to put a little muscle behind the search. Maybe the universe wanted me to work for it? No?

Doesn’t life just smack you in the face sometimes with a sign you simply can’t ignore? Like when a boss who was your mentor reaches out to you and you’ve just gotten promoted and couldn’t wait to tell him? Or when you’re thinking of someone you haven’t spoken to in years and they call telling you they are planning a visit. Getting sick just before you’re attending a dinner that you were dreading! A funeral messing up a planned vacation, but you get to spend quality time with relatives you hardly ever see and bond with their kids. (True!) Sometimes the universe is plotting a course for you and keeping you on a path where you can only read the signs and have to just go with the flow.

Sometimes signs do NOT have a deep meaning, but there are still super important! This one made me laugh…

Somebody had a sense of humor when creating the graphic for this one…

And who can’t appreciate a foodie sign that defines our very existence?

This one looks like it’s from one of those souvenir shops in Maui or Tijuana. But all of those signs point to something good.

Paying attention to the signs enables you to carve a path for yourself and helps you to make important decisions by carefully navigating your options. I’m not always a huge believer in the grand plan the universe might have for you, unless you happen to stumble upon a fabulous restaurant. Maybe that was meant to be? The least you can do is order big and enjoy it when good fortune strikes.

Whatever choices you make today, check out the words in bright lights, study the subtle subtitles and take note of big flashy banners. They could be signs!