The Story of the Koala

If you look at this photo closely you might see it…c’mon, look closer. Yes! It’s a Koala Bear sitting up in that tree! So here’s the story…

Recently in Australia, I had scheduled one day at the end of our trip to go spend some time at a beach (since after all, it is still summer weather there, and when we left our desert of southern Utah we were having an unusual snow day!). So my hubby (Dean the dream) and I went to Noosa National Park, where we got to hike on a beautiful trail that was along the coastline. It’s about a 45-minute walk up to “Hell’s Gate” where we got a gorgeous view of the ocean (oh, and of ‘nude beach’, which was close enough to see, but fortunately far enough away that we couldn’t see anything we didn’t want to).

The woman at the info-booth at the head of the trail told us that occasionally people see koala bears as they walk that trail, and if we looked closely up in the trees, and if we’re really lucky, there is a small chance we may see one. Now I’m the type of person if someone says to me, “If you’re really lucky….this might happen” then I go to work manifesting it.

We’ve been to Australia several times before, so I have visited a koala zoo and have seen them up close, but I REALLY wanted to see one sitting up in a tree in his/her natural habitat.

So my mind immediately decided that we would see one that day. My thoughts were on trusting that we would, but without getting too desperate about it. And of course, I said a prayer in my head and asked God if He could please orchestrate a “koala bear sighting” for us that day. Because I know that He not only gives us what we need, but often what we want, even when it’s just for fun–depending on our faith and gratitude.

On the trail up to Hell’s Gate I was aware, but not overly freaky about having to make it happen. I fixed my mindset on believing it would happen, and from time to time I’d remind myself, “doubting nothing”.

The day was warm and beautiful, and since I was so ready to play in the ocean, I was wearing a swimsuit, shorts, and of course flip-flops – not the best footwear for walking 45 minutes on a trail, even as smooth and undemanding as it was. Early on I developed a blister on my left foot from my rubber flip-flop rubbing against it. I tried going barefoot for a bit, then I figured out that it worked much better to keep my right flip-flop on, and just let my left foot go barefoot. That worked!

Despite the annoyance of the blister, the view the entire way was breathtaking and I loved hearing the rhythm of the ocean waves as we walked, so I concentrated on that to take my mind off my blister. We made it to the top, took some photos, met two cute college girls from Ireland (who were nice enough to snap some pics for us), then headed back down the trail again.

About halfway down, we noticed some people ahead of us looking up at something in a tree –“Yay, this is it!” I thought, but no, it was some kind of huge reptile similar to an iguana, but with a name that I’d never heard before. And I will spare you the photo I took of that, because really, it was was creepy looking.

Finally, when we were near the end of our path, I saw a girl with a fancy looking camera, getting shots of something in a tree, as I got closer I could see the fat little spotted bottom of this most darling koala. Ahh, success! So we stood under the tree and watched this cutie for several minutes. They don’t do much, but I enjoyed watching her open and close her eyes-really.

I said to the koala, “Thank you for letting us watch you today.” And of course said a prayer of thanks in my heart for allowing us this opportunity to even be in this beautiful place, the koala sighting was icing on the cake!

As I’ve thought more about that, I’m not sure if I was more excited to actually see the koala, or the thrill of being blessed with how this unfolded. I know there are skeptics out there who may think, “Big deal seeing a Koala on this trail isn’t highly unusual”, but for me this experience reiterated everything I know to be true about manifesting. Yes, sometimes things show up in your life and it’s easy to think it is just coincidence, but what I know to be true about conscious creation from personal practice is condensed in the bullet points below:

1. You have an idea –a thought – a desire – create your positive mindset around that
2. Decide it’s going to happen, but let go of outcome –don’t’ force it
3. Ask for help (for me that’s prayer, for you it may be another way)
4. You have to start walking – do the leg work –take inspired action
5. Don’t get hung up on distractions (blister!) along the way –stay in gratitude for what is going right.
6. As you move along, don’t get discouraged –have gratitude for all the other
wonderful sightings along the trail
7. Know that you will still be ok and taken care of even if it doesn’t happen in the way you think it needs to.
8. Trust that the timing of the Universe is always impeccable
9. Often, something counterfeit (reptile!) to what you are creating will show-up, don’t let that distract you from your goal
10. Remember: -Doubting Nothing
11. When you reach your goal, GIVE THANKS
12. Breathe – give yourself time to enjoy, ponder, and learn from each experience

Big or small, what do you want to experience next in your life? Share with me down below if you dare!