If you look back on life, we have the uncanny ability to pinpoint pivotal, life-changing moments. A first kiss. A chance meeting with an amazing mentor. A speaking gig that had you weak in the knees.
In those moments, you became a more expanded version of yourself. You felt new possibilities emerge. You broke through fear and self-imposed boundaries.
Five years ago while sitting cross-legged on the floor of Gabby Bernstein’s living room, my life was forever changed. I was fortunate to be part of her group coaching program at the time and was struggling with some serious fear about my business. I was straight up anxious about it all. of. the. time. Worries about how low my website traffic was, how few subscribers I had, and the whole comparing and despairing conversation was a constant in my head.
But that night everything shifted. As I sat perched on my pillow surrounded by other awesome women searching for their life purpose, Gabby read a quote from A Course in Miracles.
“Those who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait, and to wait without anxiety.”
I wrote it down. And read it over and over again. The earth moved. My eyes widened. My heart filled with love. I realized I had been going about everything all wrong. The outcome I wanted was a booming business, serious success, and a wide audience. But I was no where near believing that was absolutely going to happen.
From that moment forward, I replaced “I have no idea what I’m doing” with “I know this is what I’m meant to do and the success will come.” My only job became carrying certainty and patience with me no matter what.
The result? You’re looking at it. I have arrived at where I always wanted to be in my business because of a deep faith in myself and my deepest desires.
Recently, I was talking to my friend Ishita about dating. How it hasn’t been fun. How I’m feeling totally anxious about it. How I often find myself thinking “Are you my husband?” whenever I make eye contact with a cute guy on the subway. I’m not kidding.
I told her how much I wished I could just let go and approach it the same way I approach my career.. Unattached. Certain of the outcome. Waiting patiently.
Light bulb. “Those who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait, and wait without anxiety.”
Of course! If I really knew the love of my life was on his way, I wouldn’t be so freaked out about it, spinning my crazy wheels, and searching for him in line at the coffee shop or while sipping on my green smoothie at Organic Avenue.
Those 16 words have given me so much ease. They’ve supported my faith and trust in the Universe. And they’ve been right all along.
So the next time you find yourself trying to control the outcome of your job, your relationship, or your health, practice being certain of the outcome you wish for. Feel it in your body and know that it is coming. You just have to be patient and fiercely believe until it arrives.
Comments
Indie 04/19/15
Amazing – it’s the subtle shifts that can have the most powerful outcome. I’m writing this quote down. XO
Nitika 04/19/15
So glad you found it helpful Indie!! Lots of love to you <3
Betsy B 04/19/15
Nitika, I loved this! Thanks for sharing! This is the mentality I’ve always had about love, career, etc. I truly believe that when you want something badly enough and you have faith that it will happen, the universe will always conspire in helping you achieve it 🙂
Nitika 04/19/15
Yay Betsy! So glad this resonated with you + I love that you’re already implementing this philosophy in your life. So beautiful!! Lots of love! <3
Misty 04/19/15
This is BEAUTIFUL, Nitika. And funny because I literally just began reading one of Gabby’s books last night and have been “witness to my fears” all day today. So, of course, the timing of your post is immaculate. Thank you. 🙂 xo
Nitika 04/19/15
Ah – YES! Timing is so divine, isn’t it? So glad you got something out of this post. I am trying to be more open and vulnerable with all of you in this new site and to get this feedback is so rewarding!! Lots of love beautiful! <3
Awo 04/20/15
Yaymen! So true. I find that with all the obstacles I’ve overcome with my business, I’m still here believing in it and loving it everyday but I do get desperate in the romance department. Such a beautiful reminder for when I get hung up in love. Thanks Nitika! xo 🙂
Nitika 04/20/15
Yesss Awo! We all need a reminder to spread out our tools in to all areas of life. So happy to hear that it worked for you!! Lots of love! <3
Michelle Goldblum 04/20/15
Obsessed with this blog!
Nitika 04/20/15
Thanks so much Michelle!! xo
Kelly 04/20/15
Nitika.
You’re so amazing! I feel like once I hit age 30 I have began to experience some spiritual awakening. I am not exactly sure where it will take me, but I feel blessed by it and I have faith it will take me where I belong. Just want you to know how inspirational you are, and that you are reaching so many people with your work. I am not sure if you consider yourself a lightworker but you definitely are one to me!
Nitika 04/20/15
Aww Kelly thank you so much, this is so sweet! I totally know what it’s like to be experiencing something spiritual + powerful and just not know what it is yet. I have SO been there. Keep going forward, taking great care of yourself and know that you will be guided love bug!! xo
eva 04/20/15
Thank you so much for reminding us how powerful feeling and believing are as we manifest our heart’s desires.
Nitika 04/20/15
Yes yes – so powerful and so important! It can be hard to remind ourselves of this so I am thrilled that this reminder helped you Eva!! xo
Romy 04/20/15
Thanks! Just what I need it 🙂
Nitika 04/20/15
Yay! So glad this was helpful Romy! xo
Kristen 04/20/15
Nitika I’m so inspired by your journey into your light. So honored I get to witness. Brava!!! This moved me today: “From that moment forward, I replaced “I have no idea what I’m doing” with “I know this is what I’m meant to do and the success will come.” My only job became carrying certainty and patience with me no matter what.” YAAAAAS! I always need this reminder. Thanks for being the channel for it today. *Hugs*
Nitika 04/20/15
Awww thank you so much for this sweet comment Kristen!! I am so glad this resonated with you, as you know, it’s been a journey and a half!! So honored and excited that this new site and content resonates with you my love!! xoxo <3
Candy Nairovy 04/20/15
Amazing!!! I love blogs like this one filled with positivity and inspiration. So ironic today I had a moment of anxiety about my career as well. I needed this. Thank you !
xoxo
Candy Nairovy
Nitika 04/21/15
Yay!! I love it when things are just what you need in the moment. Thanks for taking the time to comment + let me know. So glad you found this helpful Candy!! <3
Elizabeth 04/21/15
This is fantastic and exactly what I needed. I have a lot going on in my life right now and have been a bundle of stress and anxiety. Thank you for this mantra, it came at the perfect time.
Nitika 04/21/15
Yes yes! Love that Elizabeth. I totally understand moments in our lives that are more filled with anxiety, that’s why this helped me so much too! So glad to hear that it helped you, too. Lots of love!! <3
CL 04/21/15
Thank you so much for this! I have been trying to find the courage to let my current relationship go. As long as I trust what is to come, I know everything will be okay. Plus, I am only eighteen. My senior year of high school is winding down with exams approaching, and college will come soon. The anxiety that I felt before I read this has eased away. Thank you, Nitika; I’m so glad I found this blog. 🙂
Nitika 04/21/15
Aww that makes me so happy to hear! Sending you so much love and lots of hugs CL, I know what a delicate time of your life this is. I remember being 18 a (very) long time ago and I wish I knew some of this back then. You are doing GREAT beautiful – I promise. Better then you could even imagine. Sending so much love your way!!! <3
Kelly S. 04/21/15
Thank you Nitika, this is just what I needed to hear! I’m about to quit my good paying but unsatisfying job to do what I really love. Most people don’t understand why I’d give up the certainty and security of this job…and sometimes I absorb their negative energy and doubts, but in my heart I truly know that I will experience even more success, abundance, and fulfillment by taking this risk rather than staying out of fear. Oh, and I hear you about dating! Wishing you certainty and knowing that all of your desires are already fulfilled! 🙂
Nitika 04/21/15
Kelly – that is SO beautiful. I have so been there, many times, and I am so proud of you for following your truth no matter how many negative voices there are out there. Just be sure to take good care of yourself in the process and stay strong beautiful!!! Lots of love <3
Courtney 04/21/15
Nitika,
Really great, and just what I needed today. Thank you!
Courtney (from TMLP!)
Nitika 04/21/15
Yay! So glad it helped Courtney!! Lots of love + omg TMLP was a life time ago, hello!! <3
Nisha Ali Kash 04/22/15
I don’t know how to thank you, Nitika. I have struggled with being self conscious and not loving who I am because of past experiences. It took me a long time to realize that it was me allowing others to make me feel badly about myself. I’m on a long road to healing. I started a whole new way of thinking and self loving almost 2 weeks ago and I feel amazing. It was the night that I decided that I need to make changes that your name popped up on my fb page. I am forever grateful and look forward to reading your words everyday!
Nitika 04/22/15
Nisha, your words just totally melted my heart. First of all – YAY!!!! For starting your self-love journey. That’s incredible and I am so happy for you!! Second, I am so moved by the way the universe works and grateful I popped up on your page. I can’t wait to be a part of your self-love journey beautiful, you’ve so got this!!! More soon, lots of love!! xo
Sweta 04/22/15
this is so Right on Nitika! Amazing how we get it in one are
Of our life and not the other. For example in 2002 I broke up with my ex fiancé
Right when all my friends decided to get married. I started to hear folks that got married say things like enjoy being single and new parent saying enjoy being just with your partner and I listened.
It took me a while to get over the break up but I committed to having fun being single.
So this took me to a magical trip to Peru (never travelled to South America and in that way)
I went to volunteer and took Spanish lessons and lived with a host family and other travelers from around the world!
I had so much fun I extended my trip and on almost the last day met my soul mate! It’s been 11 years and since then
we have travelled the world together (40 countries) and have a beautiful son who has already been to 13 countries and isn’t even 4 yet 🙂 such is the law of least effort. Thanks for the reminder to continuously apply this to my business as well 🙂
Nitika 04/23/15
OMG Sweta that is such a powerful + beautiful story!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share that with me and congratulations on all of the LOVE you have created in your life!! So inspiring. xoxo
Sari 04/23/15
Hi Nitika,
Just loved this write-up….. truly an inspirational quote!
Nitika 04/23/15
So glad you like it Sari!! Lots of love <3
Lexa Clarke 04/24/15
Hey Nitika,
Thank you for following me on instagram!
I am a freelance fashion stylist and mother to my amazing two year old son. I recently launched Town and Country Baby Tote, which is a classic unisex tote on the outside with a removable organizer on the inside. It can be used not only a diaper tote, but as a gym tote, travel tote, picnic tote or work tote. The camo with blaze orange is a huge hit with the Dads!
Here is my website:
http://www.townandcountrybabytote.com
Our Story:
The story of the Town and Country Baby Tote started like all great ones do, with a gift from a dear friend. A canvas tote bag for my son’s birth, to be exact. I loved it. Simply adored it. Carried it with me everywhere I went, from the market and the playground to even vacations. But when flying with a toddler, being able to find what I wanted quickly from a jumbled mess was next to impossible. I realized there had to be a way for something so perfect in size and looks to also be organized and practical. I could have gone the cute baby bag route but instead decided to design the bag I wanted: A classic tote with a removable organizational insert. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Thank you so very much for your time.
Very Sincerely,
Lexa Clarke
http://www.townandcountrybabytote.com
845.242.1308
Nitika 04/27/15
Thanks so much for this Lexa! Can you please email Blog@NitikaChopra.com to continue this conversation? Looking forward to hearing from you. Lots of love! xo
Tina 04/27/15
THANK YOU! The quote didn’t move me like it did you, but, it made me realize a few things in my life that I need to change my attitude about.
Nitika 04/27/15
Hi Tina! So glad that it helped you in the end. That’s wonderful!! Lots of love xo
Arialle 05/26/15
It’s so interesting how the answers we need will show up exactly when we need them. I too will never forget this quote. I definitely need to read this post and am such a fan of your honest voice in your blogs and in person. Thank you.
Nitika 05/26/15
So glad to hear that Arialle!! It’s such a powerful quote, I am glad you have it in your back pocket now to help you through life. Lots of love! xoxo
Amanda - RunToTheFinish 08/28/15
Fabulous quote!! I never thought of it that way. I like the idea of focusing on what we want, but putting the anxiety aside is truly helpful!
Nitika 08/29/15
Yay! So glad you liked it Amanda, and thrilled to see you here!! Lots of love xoxo
Dara McKenns 08/29/15
Thank you for sharing the quote! I just got married at 63!
Nitika 09/06/15
Woo hoo!!! Love that Dara, thank you for sharing!!! Lots of love xoxo
Ali 08/31/15
Thank you!! I read this last week and it’s been helping me tremendously over the last week. It applies to literally everything. It reinforces that we have a CHOICE. Practicing patience and trust this week. Thank you, thank you! XO
Ali
@alipurrpinckney (instagram)
Nitika 09/06/15
AMAZING! And yes yes yes Ali. That’s totally true, it applies to everything!! So glad you like it. Lots of love xoxo
Ellen 12/25/15
This was the perfect post for me to read this beautiful Christmas morning. Yes I can wait without anxiety because I am certain of the outcome ( just needed to be reminded lol). Syd my two thumbs up Buddha statue will become an international symbol of joy and happiness (he keeps telling me this lol) and lots of my other dreams around my company, my body issues ….yep I can wait without anxiety.
Thank you beautiful soul. Your light is palpable. ???
Nitika 01/03/16
So glad that this post helped you Ellen. Thank you for your sweet sweet comment and sending you lots of love xx
Lula 01/05/16
Oooh SUCH a good quote, and so helpful this time of year when so many people want everything they’re desiring to happen NOW.
Thank you for sharing!
Hugs,
Lula
Nitika 01/05/16
Haha YES Lula – true story!! So glad you liked it, beauty! Lots of love xx