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Now that my baby is three months old and I'm feeling ready to start a gentle fitness program, I asked the Universe to send me a walking partner. I envisaged long walks along the river discussing a range of topics revolving around families, faith, fitness, fun and where the term "bouncing baby" may have originated. I hoped that a lasting friendship might evolve that would extend beyond an after-school mutual motivation society. And above all, I longed for another person whose experiences would teach me more about life.

As always, the Universe sent exactly what I needed. No, not a Buddhist nun with existentialism philosophies. Not even another mother who could advise me what to expect next as Baby grows. Instead, the Universe sent me a neighbour's daughter who hated going to before-school care.

By happenstance I overheard little Allie complaining that she didn't want to go to before-school care anymore — the people were mean and besides, she was bored with it. Both of Allie's parents have jobs that start early, you see, and at 10-years-old she is just a smidge too young to walk to school herself. So, as Allie's mother explained to her, before-school care was the only option for this family at this time.

Considering I'd only recently asked the Universe for a walking partner, and seeing as this was the most obvious conversation I'd overheard while waiting for the Universe to deliver, I took it as a neon-flashing sign that I was meant to butt in.

"I'm looking for a walking buddy," I said. "If it suits you, I could walk Allie to school a couple of mornings a week?"

Allie's mother didn't even get a chance to answer. The gorgeous year-sixer was already nodding and shaking my hand to seal the deal. And with that, it was only a matter of hours before my first walk with Allie took place.

It was only a 20-minute walk to her school but we covered sooooo much in our chit-chat on the way: how her gymnastics teacher was mean but that was because she'd broken a shoulder two weeks before the Olympics and she was just angry that she'd missed out so took it out on everyone else; how one girl in the class was really mean but that was because her mum didn't pick her up from school and stuff; and how Mums got to be called Mum in the first place because of the noise babies make when they need comforting - meeeemeeeeh.

What a blessing to have been sent this little walking buddy! I learned long ago that the basic concept of asking the Universe for something is to ask for what you want, believe you will get it, and be open to receiving it. What took me longer to learn, however, is to be open to receiving that which the Universe deems is right for you. I would never have thought, for example, that a 10-year-old could be my teacher. But this one is opening me up to a whole new world — one where there is a black-and-white explanation for people's frailties, where friendships are based on who's nice or not, and where life's big questions are solved with a bit of lateral thinking.

What's more, this little speck of a girl has pushed me to walk faster and further than I had in months — what a god/dess-send! And thanks to my understanding that the Universe sends exactly that which is right for me, I am able to say so what if she isn't a Buddhist nun or an experienced mother — she is teaching me way more about life than any adult can (that I know of anyway!)

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Anita Revel is the creatrix of igoddess.com, a resource portal for women's wellbeing. You can click here to read more of her columns with United Press International. © copyright 2008 by Anita Revel.
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