Happy Monday!
Okay, so let me tell you what happened this weekend.
Every year, the families of my son’s class from school get together for a “glamping” trip to Westgate River Ranch. I didn’t think I was going this year until I was having a conversation with the group leader and she told me I had reserved a tent.
I challenged her because I did not remember booking, but she was adamant that I was on the list.
Feeling uneasy about this, and having no email confirmation or proof in my records that I had paid a deposit, I called Westgate myself to confirm.
“There’s no tent reserved for a Rodriguez, ma’am,” the representative at Guest Services told me. “But I see a De Posada-Rodriguez reservation.”
“That’s me! But I don’t have any email confirmation or anything from Westgate,” I said, still confused.
“Well, you may not have received an email, but you are reserved and your confirmation number is 173593.”
Having had confirmed with our group leader and the resort, I realized I must have reserved at some point. Even though we had previously decided we weren’t going this year, I took this as a sign that I should go, and we rearranged our plans.
THE PLOT THICKENS
Upon arrival at Westgate, I check-in at the reservation desk with my ID and my confirmation number.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but this reservation number has a completely different name.” The confirmation number was generating another family from our group.
I pulled up my note with the date I called, the time, and the person I spoke to who gave me my confirmation number. “This was the information Westgate gave me.” I showed the front desk attendant.
Thinking maybe this was a mixup from a prior year, I texted the family that appeared on our reservation to confirm it wasn’t their reservation — but it was — and they were on their way.
Two families had the same confirmation number, but there was only one tent available. Someone would have to be displaced and put at the hotel.
Because I was the first to arrive, they gave me the tent. But as I inquired further, I learned that the other mom had put a deposit months prior. I could not, in good faith, take her tent from her when I wasn’t sure I had paid a deposit. I went back to the front desk and asked them to put me at the hotel.
WHERE MYSTERY MEETS THE BLESSING
This story has no explanation.
How did my name end up on any of the lists if I didn’t reserve?
Why was my name on the Westgate reservation the week before and not the day of?
We couldn’t figure any of it out.
Here’s the thing: I was on the fence about going this weekend. Had I called and been told I did not have a reservation, I simply would not have gone.
I would never have booked the hotel. The only option I liked was the glamping tents with the rest of the group.
But here we were. I already had gone through the ordeal of packing, renting a truck to take our bikes, and driven the 3 hour trek to get there. The hotel was now the only option, attractive or not. So I took it.
The confusion came with some perks.
We got the room next to our best friends, which was so fun.
We got a free golf cart.
I got a free bike, which was a lifesaver because one of our bikes had a flat tire!
But the real blessing was that the mixup got us there.
I tried line dancing for the first time and had a blast; We spent time with our friends; And my kids enjoyed the hotel just as much, maybe even more than the glamping tent.
It was a meaningful and memorable weekend with two of my fingers!
MOMENTS OF CLARITY
Today I want to share a few takeaways I got from this experience.
- When you behave as if life is rigged in your favor, things work out that way — even when the outcome is not what you expected.
- Life is full of mysteries which become blessings if you choose to perceive them that way.
- Surrender the outcome, knowing that you are working with limited information and the Universe will always surprise you.
- Lastly, rather than halfheartedly declaring “everything happens for a reason,” be the person who gives meaningful reason to all that happens. The difference may seem subtle, but the latter requires intentionality and focus.
I hope this message inspires you to live in a way that allows you to find the sparks of bliss everywhere. 
