A dear friend called yesterday in a down-very-low state. She was way concerned for the future - particularly if her latest project would be successful.

She recently made a huge plunge into uncertainty by leaving a relatively stable job to start a company with her fiance and another friend. She's not exactly the risk taking kind so this new world is full of pitfalls and potholes.

As we talked, various concepts of reassurance came tumbling out from no where. At least it felt like no where. But actually it was the teachings I've read, experienced and choose to believe which were being shared at that moment. This teaching came orginally to me from a wide variety of sources. Various religious beliefs teach it. Common sense dictates it. Even spirit-starved science offers clues to it.

"It" is the Universal Law which states: Ask for what you need and then wait for it to happen. Be prepared for it to come to you in ways you did not expect. And once you receive what you have asked for, say thank you and shut up.

OK, that is a tad loose with the actual written Law and perhaps seemingly flippant, but this version captures the pure essence of the Law. If you break it down a little, you have 5 ideas in "it."

1. Ask for what you need.
   How easy is that? Not easy at all. Many times it is so far from the tip of one's tongue to ask for what we need. Maybe we ask for a bigger house or a small waist. Maybe it's more money or less conflict. I think you get the idea here. Just know that no matter what you need you have to ask or it will never happen.
2. Wait for it to happen.
   Patience is a virtue is the best way to describe this idea. It is so hard to wait for what we need. And keep in mind the key word here is need. Don't be fooled into thinking what you want is what you need - that's just vanity.  You will always be provided what you need when you need it no matter what you want. Which leads up to....
3. Be prepared for it to come to you in ways you did not expect.
   I know we've all had an experience where we thought we needed something only to have something else come about. In the end wasn't it better than what you thought you needed? All too often these things we thought we needed were actually things we wanted and our true need was what was actually addressed.
4. Say thank you.
   I know of few people who were not taught to say thank you when they receive a gift. In fact, if Emily Post has taught anything to anybody, it is the importance of saying thank you. As silly as that sounds, she was onto something. Saying thank you provides acknowledgement and gratitude; both are important for us to feel. When you receive what you need (trust me, despite any disbelief you may have, you will receive it), make sure you say thank you even if it's just in your head. 
5. Shut Up.
   No one likes to hear someone gush on and on when they have given a gift. You know what I'm talking about. Either the person is so insincere that you would never give them another thing or the person is just sloppy with their gratitude. It's a precious thing which must be handled with care.

While it is important to remember the seriousness of asking for what you need, Don't ever think that this Universal Law doesn't come with a sense of humor. All too often a need is identified and a curveball is thrown in response. Just go with it and laugh, friend. It's not like we are in control or anything.

Oh, by the way, my friend called today. She had an unexpected meeting which provided her with what she was looking for. Yes, her need was met. Sure hope she has a thank you note and duct tape laying around.