Do you ever have those moments where certain words or phrases just stick with you? Maybe you think it means one thing and come to find out later it meant something else. Or maybe you associate it with one person but then realize it’s pervasive and shows up in multiple places. Maybe you try and fit the phrase into a tight little space of what you want it to mean and the universe laughs and reminds you that your perception isn’t always reality.

For the last 4 or so months I’ve been sitting with a phrase. It came at first in a very specific situation. Promises and smiles and reassurances. Then it came and felt like a slap in the face. Broken promises and one-sided smiles and no assurances. And then I heard it from multiple people, not tied to just one. So I started to take note. Then it was everywhere. Everywhere. And I couldn’t overlook it, or feel the trauma of my own associations. But I had to listen. I believe many occurrences, repeatedly, couldn’t be chance.

So what have I heard, what’s been the message? Slow and Steady. It’s triggering at points because of what it meant (or what I thought it meant). But I also know it means something bigger than all of that, it does. It’s relieving at points because it reminds me that I don’t have to have everything figured out, that what needs to be revealed will be so in time. Honestly, I’m grateful for this lesson, and I am grateful that it transcends where it originally cropped up. It solidifies in me the purpose is bigger than one thing or one person. This lesson, this reminder, holds weight for many areas of my life. And it tells me that even though I am not patient by nature, that my patience will be rewarded.

It’s the reminder that I’m half-way through my grad program. And though I’m ready for the school work and projects and papers and exams to be over, I need to slow down and keep everything in check. It’s the reminder that I owe myself grace in the work that I am doing—things are rapidly changing (in ways predictable and unpredictable) and what I am doing is enough and things will find their new rhythm soon. It’s the reminder that online dating is weird. And though I know more and more about what I want, I need a break—dating with numbers elevated and such is freaky—not to mention people have very different trajectories currently than they may normally.

And so I’m slowing down. I’m listening to nudges from the universe and God’s whispers in my ear. I’m giving these things space and time. I’m breathing more and (hopefully) stressing less. Slow and steady things will fall into place. Slow and steady I am receiving more of what is meant for me. Slow and steady I’m stepping into my magic. I refuse to let “slow and steady” scare me or hold me back or make me feel like I missed out or something or lost someone. Slow and steady just means being more aware, using my intuition, and not letting others dictate my direction and growth. And I’ll keep listening to where else and how else this applies. All in time. Patience.