At some point or another, you have no doubt asked the universe for a “SIGN” that you are on the right path, or for help making a critical decision, or for some proof of something.  Sometimes, though, signs appear at your feet.  This happened to me, yesterday.  I was running to an event I was speaking at, and as I crossed the street, there lay a very large, and very dead, rat.

dead rat on the street

Now, truth be told, this put an immediate damper on my spirit.  Why was there a dead rat in my path? And then, the dreaded mind fuck started – “What does this MEAN?”  Because, clearly, a dead rat on the street that you encounter on the way to a business presentation has a very important meaning, and this is very, very bad timing for such a devastating sign to show up in my path.  My mind races to all the potential negative scenarios, and then I wonder what the rat is in the animal totem guide.  It must be a harbinger of poison or cheese which clogs the arteries and if my doctor knows that I’ve eaten cheese he will tell me this does not help my cholesterol in the direction that he’d like, and I really need to get to the dry cleaner….

And then, in a moment of clarity, I was struck by the realization that I can MAKE this dead rat symbolize whatever I want it to.  We are so naturally inclined to connect signs to events, and, sadly, get lost in the powerlessness of someone else’s definition of what this may mean.  So, in that moment, I CHOSE to define this sign from the universe like this:

Heather, this rat has put itself in your path to let you know that, YOU’RE GONNA KILL IT TONIGHT!

With that, all worries and concerns dissipated, and I walked confidently to my event, and stood in my “I’m gonna kill it” pose, and it all worked out.

The point is – where are you looking to someone else’s words and description to define your own experience?  And, how does that work out for you?  What can you redefine, on your own terms, right now?  How can you adapt universal signs to positively influence your dreams?

I know a couple of you won’t be happy if I don’t give you the same satisfaction I was looking for – screw the fact that my mind might have been over obsessing about a rat – I, too, had to look up it’s symbolism just for kicks after getting home.  Here is what I found:

1. A dead animal signifies transition
2. If Rat has scurried across your path you are being asked to assert yourself in new areas that you have not yet explored. Perhaps it’s time to take up those new hobbies, challenge yourself by learning something new or simply taking the uncertain first steps towards your dreams. Rat is letting you know it’s time for “new beginnings” and change.  Alternatively you are being asked to evaluate the clutter around you. Is it time to purge old baggage and feelings that no longer serve you?  Time for a spring cleaning. Sell or giveaway all the physical things that are just filling up the space around you. In doing this you will often symbolically begin to clear old emotional issues and cluttered thinking. Allow yourself to feel as you purge. This cleansing act will make space for the new things to come. (Courtesty of Spirit Animal Totems.)

So, now I have both created my own positive outcome and been entirely validated since I just moved, am purging as much clutter as possible, and looking for new places and experiences. Interesting how universe can both reflect your circumstances and also give you the opportunity to step up to making your own rules.