Is there something you need right now? Are you stuck trying to make a decision? Sometimes, the answers to our questions walk up to us as an Angel in the form of a stranger.

Mythily Chari M.Ed., Ed.S., one of this column's readers, wrote to share her experience of needing to make a "course correction" in her University program, but not knowing what to do about it. Ms. Chari writes, "After fourteen years of working in the field in India, I realized it was time I 'sharpened my saw.' I decided to enroll for a research program at the University of Florida where I had gotten my master's degree. Within a semester I found my course work was leading me nowhere--my interest being autism--and my studies focusing on anything but that." Chari, 45, had resigned from her job in Delhi, left her husband and sons temporarily so she could deepen her knowledge and specialize.

With so much at stake, and doing badly in her course work, she felt an intense pressure to maintain a certain grade point average in order to quality for a tuition waiver. One day while Chari was reading in the library, a young woman struck up a conversation. They discovered they were both from the same state in India. "She inquired about my course work," said Chari, "and I-- for the first time--blurted out the predicament I was in. I confided that I was not able to pick and choose my coursework to suit my needs. She suggested that I opt out of the research program and instead do an Education Specialist degree (ED.S.), which would give me the flexibility and range to fulfill the requirement of seventy-two credits."

This news was extremely welcome, but Chari could find no further information about the degree. Often when we are uncertain about what to do, our anxiety triggers a chain of fears about making the wrong move, letting others down, getting ourselves into a worse place, or losing what we already have. In Chari's case, she said she was afraid to talk to her advisor, worried that perhaps she would be sent back to India, or-- worse still--made to reimburse the money paid to her by the College of Education. At the time, she did not have enough money even for the return ticket to India. Still stuck in this worry and conflict she stayed paralyzed.

Two weeks later, Chari again encountered the young woman, who inquired about her progress. Chari says, "I told her that I had not done anything, as nobody seemed to know about this degree. I also told her that I was scared about the course of action that would follow if I spoke to my advisor. Then she revealed that the graduate assistant to the advisor would have a department brochure outlining the course requirement of the ED.S. degree. She was right! The information was in a spiral bound volume that even the graduate assistant did not know about, as no one had completed such a degree. With that information I approached my advisor and told him that Doctoral research was not what I needed to fulfil my mission in India. He very helpful, and I now have my degree. I really wanted to thank this girl who helped me not once but twice, but I could not locate her at all after that. It was one such incident when Grace visited me and I am touched to my spiritual core. Reading The Celestine Prophecy has helped me to recharge my battery, as my work is very emotionally draining. With prayers from India."

If there is a question on your mind that you are struggling over, why not try one of these ideas to attract divine help and inspiration?

Write a memo to God.

Write down a short note about what's bothering you and address it to God. Ask Her to send you a clear sign, opportunity, or answer as soon as possible. Include a description of how having your desire fulfilled will help others as well as yourself. Be sure to express your gratitude for what you already have, and thank God in advance for sending you what you need. Be alert to who comes into your life and be open for interaction.

Visualize the end result.

Take a moment to clear your mind of your whirlpool of worries. Allow a stillness to come over your mind.

When you feel peaceful, begin to imagine a scene where you see yourself in the fulfillment of your desire. For example, if you are working on a book, see yourself in a bookstore with an audience listening to you as you hold your book toward them with the title clearly displayed. Enjoy the warmth of the scene and the fun you will have signing a book for each person in a long line winding through the store. You see the cover sparkling down the line! Studies show that successful people tend to imagine and see the result they are working toward.

Have an Angelic August,
Carol Adrienne